Our client is seeking an experienced Commercial Manager to join their growing commercial team, supporting a diverse portfolio of complex defence programmes across the UK and international markets.
This is an excellent opportunity to play a key role throughout the full commercial lifecycle, from business winning and contract negotiation through to contract delivery and close-out. Working closely with senior stakeholders and cross-functional teams, you'll help shape commercial strategy, manage contractual risk and ensure successful delivery against customer requirements.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the commercial aspects of the full route-to-contract process, supporting business development activities and bid submissions.
- Line management responsibility for more junior members of the team (team numbers to be discussed at interview).
- Draft, review and negotiate a wide range of contracts, agreements, proposals and commercial terms.
- Provide commercial guidance throughout the contract lifecycle, ensuring contractual obligations are met and risks are effectively managed.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with customers, partners and internal stakeholders, acting as the key commercial point of contact.
- Support pricing activities and commercial strategy to deliver competitive and compliant proposals.
- Identify, assess and mitigate commercial risks while recognising opportunities to maximise business value.
- Ensure compliance with relevant legislation, regulatory requirements and internal governance processes.
- Collaborate with legal, finance, programme management and operational teams to resolve commercial issues and contractual disputes where required.
- Produce regular commercial reporting, providing updates on contract performance, risks and key business issues.
- Support and mentor junior members of the commercial function, contributing to the development of the wider team.
About You
We're looking for an experienced commercial professional with a strong background in complex contract management, ideally gained within the defence, aerospace or wider regulated engineering sector.
You'll also bring:
- Proven experience managing the commercial lifecycle from bid through to contract delivery.
- Strong contract drafting and negotiation skills.
- Experience working with complex customer and supplier contracts with in a highly regulated industry
- Excellent commercial awareness with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- The ability to manage multiple priorities within a fast-paced environment.
- Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, with confidence engaging at all levels.
- Previous leadership or people management experience.
- Knowledge of UK defence contracting frameworks, including MOD contracts, DEFCONs and QDCs, would be advantageous.
- Familiarity with export control regulations such as ITAR and EAR would be beneficial.
