Principle Commercial Manager

A fantastic opportunity has arisen to join an active, collaborative and motivated team within a sector dedicated to delivering key Defence capability to the UK Armed Forces and international customers. This role will involve working across early product lifecycle stages, research and technology activities, and supporting both business-winning and contract-delivery initiatives.

What We Can Offer
Company bonus: Up to £2,500 (subject to annual performance)
Pension: Up to 14% combined contribution (employer + employee)
Overtime: Paid overtime opportunities
Flexi Leave: Up to 15 additional days' flexi leave
Flexible working: Flexible arrangements welcomed
Enhanced parental leave: Up to 26 weeks for maternity, adoption and shared parental leave, with enhancements also available for paternity, neonatal leave and fertility-related support
Facilities: Excellent site amenities including subsidised meals, free parking, and more

The Role

Location: Hybrid (2-3 days on-site per week, depending on project requirements)

You will be joining a team responsible for contributing to new business opportunities, managing customer contracts and helping ensure successful delivery of key programmes. Responsibilities include:

Business Winning
Supporting the end-to-end route to contract, including bid preparation, cross-functional coordination and proposal generation.
Helping secure new agreements while maximising business interests.

Contract Delivery
Managing contract obligations, changes, issues and associated administrative duties.
Supporting problem-solving activities to ensure high standards of delivery.

Negotiation and Compliance
Assisting in negotiations and reaching agreement on contractual amendments within agreed boundaries.
Ensuring contractual compliance and risk mitigation.

Stakeholder Engagement
Building and maintaining strong relationships with customers, partners and internal stakeholders.
Preparing and delivering updates to senior management.
Representing the commercial function in reviews and customer meetings.

General Responsibilities
Working to deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Maintaining commercial information systems.
Promoting best practice within the commercial team.

About You
We're looking for candidates with strong commercial awareness and excellent interpersonal skills. Ideal attributes include:
Advanced negotiation skills and strong communication abilities
Proven experience managing complex, high-value contracts
Understanding of contract law and practical application
Ability to draft or amend terms and conditions
Knowledge of IP protection and lifecycle contract management
Awareness of import/export restrictions and licensing requirements
Ability to understand pricing and costing models
Proficiency with IT and business systems (such as SAP)
Strong teamworking skills with the ability to influence effectively
Good process discipline and change management capabilities

Please note: Restrictions relating to nationality and/or right to work may apply. All successful candidates will be required to undergo HMG Basic Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks after offer stage.

Security Clearance: British Citizen or Dual UK National with British citizenship