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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead commercial relationships and manage contracts for Vodafone's Defence sector.
- Company: Join Vodafone, a global tech leader focused on innovation and inclusion.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, bonuses, 28 days holiday, and tailored benefits.
- Why this job: Be part of a diverse team making a real impact in digital communication.
- Qualifications: Experience in Commercial Management, especially in Defence; strong negotiation skills required.
- Other info: Must hold or be eligible for DV Clearance; flexible support for applicants with accessibility needs.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Location: Farnborough/ Bristol/ Newbury (onsite)
Salary: Excellent basic salary plus bonus and Vodafone benefits
Working hours: Full Time (Mon-Fri 37.5 hours per week)
Who We Are
We are a global technology communications company that empowers people and businesses to stay connected and thrive in a digital world. With a focus on innovation, sustainability and earning customer loyalty, we leverage cutting-edge technology to offer products and services that enhance communication and improve lives. At Vodafone UK, diversity isn’t just a buzzword, it is core to who we are as a company. We are proud to be certified as a Great Place to Work and are committed to driving inclusion for all; creating a workplace that is fully representative of the communities and customers we serve. Join Vodafone Business Security Enhanced (VBSE) for Vodafone UK and support in providing world-class Secure Solutions for our Enterprise clients.
What you’ll do
As a Senior Commercial Contract Manager you will have the opportunity to be at the front and centre of the relationship with existing and prospective VBSE customers, with a main focus on the In-Life/post-contract award aspects of the role. The role will require you to work collaboratively with many different areas of the Business including Sales, Product, Solution, Legal, Finance and Technology; provide commercial thought leadership and decision making; and to work directly with our customers and occasionally with suppliers. The role would suit candidates who have a demonstrable ability to:
- Understand a variety of complex commercial and contractual models;
- Use available data and appropriate assumptions in order to make informed decisions;
- Negotiate pragmatically at all levels in an organisation;
- Identify and create value from challenging commercial issues.
The Commercial Contract Management team manages all the commercial and contractual aspects of the contract lifecycle of all Vodafone Business Security Enhanced (VBSE) customers:
- Pre-sales: Helping our sales teams to win new business at profitable margins
- Handover: Ensuring that business is contracted correctly; risk is understood and mitigated; and that contractual obligations are clear and handed over to appropriate teams for execution
- In-Life: Optimising the commercial performance of the contract (including change and exit management); managing commercial disputes; and driving margin and revenue improvement activities
- Extension or Renewal: Securing timely renewal of the contract whilst minimising erosion of revenue and margin
Who you are
- Substantial experience in Commercial and Contract Management
- MOD/Defence experience, particularly managing DEFCONs, CDRLs & JSPs from a contractual perspective.
- Proven leadership working with customers, internally and externally, and a strong appreciation of sales processes and methodologies
- Consistent delivery of exceptional results through matrix team structures
- Strong decision making with the ability to balance conflicting priorities
- Proven highly complex negotiation skills with internal and external customers up to C level including dispute management
- Strong leadership of risk, able to identify most appropriate mitigation actions to reduce Vodafone’s exposure
- Proven People management and development skills
- Must hold or be eligible for DV Clearance
What we offer
We believe that taking care of our employees is the key to their success. That is why we offer an excellent remuneration and bonus package with up to 28 days holiday entitlement, in addition to bank holidays and paid leave for charity projects. We offer an extensive benefits package that can be tailored to suit you and your family, including employee discounts, retail vouchers, pension plan and share schemes. We take pride in our commitment to supporting you at every stage of your career by providing top of the range learning and development tools and market leading parental leave policies.
Together we can
Vodafone UK are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and all offers of employment for this role are subject to background checks, including criminal (DBS) and financial checks to meet the regulators standards. If you require any reasonable adjustments or have an accessibility request as part of your recruitment journey, for example, extended time or breaks in between online assessments, a sign language interpreter, or assistive technology, please refer to the Accessibility section of our Careers website for guidance.
Vodafone is committed to attracting, developing and retaining the very best people by offering a motivating and inclusive workplace in which talent is truly recognised and rewarded. We are committed to promoting Inclusion for All with the belief that diversity plays an important role in the success of our business. We actively encourage everyone to consider becoming a part of our journey.
Senior Commercial Manager - Defence employer: Vodafone
Contact Detail:
Vodafone Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Commercial Manager - Defence
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific contractual frameworks used in the Defence sector, such as DEFCONs and JSPs. Understanding these will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your expertise in managing complex commercial agreements.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the Defence and telecommunications sectors. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to connect with current employees at Vodafone or similar companies. This can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience in leading cross-functional teams. Highlight specific examples where you've successfully navigated conflicting priorities and delivered results, as this is crucial for the Senior Commercial Manager role.
✨Tip Number 4
Brush up on your negotiation skills, particularly in high-stakes environments. Be ready to share examples of how you've managed disputes and achieved favourable outcomes, as this will be a key aspect of the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Commercial Manager - Defence
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in commercial and contract management, especially within the MOD/Defence sector. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to manage complex contractual models and lead negotiations.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the role and Vodafone's commitment to diversity and inclusion. Mention how your skills align with the responsibilities outlined in the job description, particularly your experience with DEFCONs and CDRLs.
Highlight Leadership Skills: Emphasise your leadership experience in your application. Provide examples of how you've successfully managed teams and delivered results in matrix structures, as this is crucial for the Senior Commercial Manager role.
Showcase Negotiation Expertise: Detail your negotiation skills in your application. Include instances where you've navigated complex negotiations with internal and external stakeholders, particularly at senior levels, to demonstrate your capability in managing disputes and driving value.
How to prepare for a job interview at Vodafone
✨Understand the Defence Sector
Make sure you have a solid grasp of the MOD/Defence landscape, particularly around DEFCONs, CDRLs, and JSPs. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show your expertise and relevance for the role.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare examples of complex negotiations you've led, especially those involving C-level stakeholders. Highlight how you managed disputes and reached successful outcomes, as this is crucial for the Senior Commercial Manager position.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Experience
Be ready to discuss your experience in leading teams and managing people. Provide specific instances where you’ve driven results through collaboration and matrix structures, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your decision-making skills in high-pressure situations. Think of scenarios where you had to balance conflicting priorities and how you mitigated risks effectively, as this will be key in the role.
