Capture Lead

Position Overview

We are looking for a senior Capture Lead to serve as the driving force behind strategic defence pursuits, leading opportunities from early engagement through capture and positioning activities before formal procurement processes begin. 

In this role, you will act as a connector across capture, business development, technology, and operational teams, shaping winning strategies and integrated solutions that align customer needs, defence technology priorities, and business objectives. This role will have a direct relationship in supporting Calian's Defence Solutions.

You will provide subject matter expertise in military training, exercises, operational readiness, and defence environments while helping build and mature capture processes, supporting both new business growth and the renewal of strategic contracts. This is an exciting, newly created role at Calian awaiting the right candidate to come in and help mold it. 

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic capture activities for defence opportunities from qualification through proposal handoff
• Develop capture strategies, win themes, value propositions, and customer engagement plans
• Engage customers to understand requirements, challenges, and future needs before formal procurements are released
• Coordinate cross-functional contributions from Business Development, Finance, Legal, HR, Delivery, Technology, Product, and subject matter experts
• Provide defence subject matter expertise to support customer engagements, demonstrations, presentations, and strategic discussions
• Translate operational requirements into integrated training, technology, and service solutions
• Support opportunity qualification, pursuit planning, and bid/no-bid decision-making processes
• Assess defence technology trends, customer needs, market opportunities, and competitive positioning and provide recommendations to leadership
• Ensure proposed solutions are technically sound, operationally relevant, and commercially viable
• Capture lessons learned and help establish repeatable capture processes and frameworks
• Serve as a key liaison between capture, business development, technology, product, and operational stakeholders
• Provide updates and recommendations to senior leadership regarding strategic opportunities, risks, and capture activities
• Support proposal development activities by ensuring alignment between capture strategy and final proposal responses

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Military Studies, Defence Management, or a related field
• An equivalent combination of education, military experience, and industry experience will also be considered
• Minimum 10 years experience in defence, military, training, simulation, operational readiness, or related environments
• Demonstrated experience leading capture activities and supporting complex RFP responses
• Strong knowledge of military training, exercise, and operational readiness environments
• Experience developing integrated solutions for defence customers
• Experience supporting business development, customer engagement, and strategic growth initiatives
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively across technical, operational, and business functions
• Knowledge of defence procurement processes and competitive capture practices
• Strong understanding of defence technology trends and emerging capabilities
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to influence decision-making and build alignment without direct authority
• Strong relationship-building and stakeholder management skills

Additional Requirements

• Posession or eligibility to obtain a Canadian Government Level II (Secret) Security clearance is a requirement for this role
• Strong project and pursuit management capabilities
• Ability to manage multiple stakeholders, priorities, timelines, and dependencies
• Experience working in cross-functional environments involving Finance, Legal, HR, Business Development, Delivery, and technical teams
• Ability to balance customer requirements, technical feasibility, and business objectives

Compensation

$130,000 to $165,000CAD annually - negotiable pending experience level

Job Title: Capture Lead

Requisition Number: 2597

Date: September 15, 2026

Location 1: Ottawa, ON

Remote: Hybrid

Business Unit: Corporate Services

Department: Pursuits, Proposals and Security

Job Type: Full-Time

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