Senior Commercial Manager

Role: Senior Commercial Manager

Location: Bristol

Duration: 6 months - initially

Role Type: Hybrid

Overview:

An opportunity has arisen for an experienced Senior Commercial Manager to our globally renowned defence and aerospace client, supporting the Digital business unit in Bristol. The role will have a strong focus on business growth, competitive bids, proposals and other pre-contract activities, alongside broader commercial and contract management responsibilities.

Working within a portfolio delivering complex digital capabilities and services to the UK Ministry of Defence, the successful candidate will provide commercial leadership across new business opportunities, competitive tenders, frameworks, contract changes and long-term programmes.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead commercial activity across complex competitive bids, proposals, frameworks and new business opportunities.
• Develop and implement commercial strategies that support successful bids whilst protecting the organisation's contractual and financial interests.
• Lead and support commercial governance throughout the bid and proposal lifecycle, including bid/no-bid and make/buy reviews.
• Draft, review, interpret and negotiate complex contractual terms and conditions.
• Develop and review Statements of Work (SoW), contractual documentation and agreements with customers and external parties.
• Lead contract change and tasking proposals through development, negotiation and award.
• Provide commercial and contract management support throughout programme execution, identifying and resolving contractual and commercial issues.
• Develop and review cost estimates, pricing strategies and profit objectives to support commercially viable proposals.
• Conduct risk and opportunity assessments, developing appropriate mitigation strategies and recommendations.
• Review and approve proposals and commercial agreements prepared by colleagues.
• Represent the business in customer negotiations and, within delegated authority, submit commercial offers and contractual commitments.
• Ensure compliance with internal commercial policies, relevant legislation, procurement regulations and contractual requirements.
• Work closely with Programme Management, Finance, Procurement, Legal and other functions to achieve successful commercial outcomes.
• Develop effective relationships with customers and key stakeholders, acting as a trusted commercial business partner.
• Identify opportunities to improve commercial processes, governance and overall business performance.

Skills & Experience:

• Significant experience within Commercial Management, Contracts Management or a comparable commercial role, ideally within defence, aerospace or another complex regulated environment.
• Strong UK defence contracting experience, including drafting, interpreting and negotiating complex terms and conditions.
• Demonstrable experience providing commercial leadership across competitive bids, tenders and pre-contract activities.
• Strong knowledge of Single Source Contract Regulations (SSCR), UK procurement regulations and government contracting frameworks.
• Comprehensive understanding of contract formation, contract structures, proposal processes and contract management.
• Experience developing commercial strategies, business cases, cost estimates and pricing/profit objectives.
• Strong understanding of commercial, contractual and programme risk and opportunity management.
• Excellent negotiation skills with the ability to achieve commercially balanced outcomes.
• Strong financial and business acumen with an understanding of programme and contractual performance.
• Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders, customers and cross-functional teams within a matrix organisation.
• Strong analytical, decision-making and problem-solving capabilities.
• Ability to manage multiple complex priorities whilst maintaining accuracy and high-quality commercial outputs.
• Proactive and adaptable approach, with the ability to work independently and anticipate commercial risks and issues.

Qualifications & Desirable Experience:

• Seven or more years' experience within Commercial or Contract Management; extensive experience within a multinational organisation and UK defence environment would be advantageous.
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Law or another relevant discipline desirable.
• World Commerce & Contracting (formerly IACCM) CCM qualification would be advantageous.
• Previous experience supporting complex UK Ministry of Defence programmes would be highly desirable.

Additional Information:

• Eligibility: Applicants must already have the legal right to work in the UK. Visa sponsorship is not available.
• Relocation: Relocation assistance is not provided.

Anthony Howson

Account Manager Defence & Aerospace

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