Contracts Manager in Guildford

Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) is a subsidiary of Airbus. SSTL has a heritage that spans over 40 years, and prides itself in continual innovation and improvement of space technologies, products and services, as well as in delivering space missions for a broad array of applications. From the earliest study activities to the subsystem manufacturing, to the assembly and test, to in-orbit operations, the whole spacecraft lifecycle is managed from SSTL’s Guildford, Surrey headquarters.

This is an exciting opportunity to work in a pioneering space company leading the Contracts department. You will be an effective and confident communicator from both a written and verbal perspective with excellent analytical skills and enjoy leading a small team.

Key Tasks:

• Organisation: day-to-day operations, organising, supporting and sharing in the team’s work and goals.
• Contractual: preparation, negotiation and management of all SSTL contractual commitments relating to projects and new business from acquisition of project to contract closure.
• Team Building: encouraging and motivating the team; team player mentality.
• Mentoring & Coaching: provide coaching, training, and mentoring where applicable.
• Leading by example.
• Providing a clear vision for the team.

Previous Experience:

Essential:

• Demonstrated proven experience within the contractual field.
• Previous experience leading and working within a team with the ability to mentor and develop colleagues.
• In depth knowledge of contracts principles, drafting and interpretation.
• Experience of identifying contractual risk and proposing effective mitigation strategies.
• Managing high value and complex proposals and contracts in the UK and for export.
• Negotiating high value contracts and amendments.
• Drafting and negotiating a wide variety of contractual documents such as NDAs, Licence Agreements, Heads of Agreement, Teaming Agreements, Memorandum of Understanding etc.
• Space contracting, including European Space Agency (ESA).
• UK MOD contracting on a range of proposals and contracts, including single source contracts and implementing the Single Source Contracting Regulations on those contracts.

Desirable:

• Educated to Degree level.
• Space industry experience, including European Space Agency (ESA), UKSA funding (CEOI, NSIP).
• Experience in US Department of Defense contracting.

Qualifications Knowledge & Skills:

• Excellent inter-personal and communication skills, able to influence, persuade and negotiate with people at all levels (externally & internally) as well as to assist in reaching compromises when there are conflicting requirements.
• High degree of organisation, self-motivation and initiative.
• Good team working skills, together with the ability to interface with others at all levels.
• Good presentation skills and customer facing skills.
• Results orientated with a strong drive to deliver.
• Flexible and adaptable to changing priorities.
• Pro-active and able to take initiative.
• Excellent planning and organising skills.
• Highly organised with clear communication skills.
• Ability to work simultaneously on a variety of projects.
• Able to work autonomously and using own initiative.
• Excellent inter-personal skills - both written and oral communications; ability to interface with customers and technical representatives.
• Decision making and creative problem solving skills.
• Ability to multi-task and deliver both immediate and longer term tasks.
• Proven ability to deliver solutions under pressure and to tight timescales.
• Good knowledge of MS Office Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Microsoft Project.
• Able to demonstrate company mindsets and behaviours; Be accountable, Drive & delivery, Communicate effectively, Self-manage effectively, Work as one team.

The role is based in our Head Office in Guildford reporting to the Finance Director with 2 direct reports. Initially on-site full time for the first 6 months. Subsequent Hybrid working would be in accordance with SSTL’s Hybrid Working policy.

Our comprehensive benefits package includes; 32 days Holiday plus Bank Holidays, Pension Scheme with Life Assurance, Private Medical & International Travel Insurance, Annual Bonus Scheme, Share Incentive Plan, Enhanced Maternity, Paternity & Shared Parental Pay for new parents, High Street Discount Scheme and many more!

This job requires an awareness of any potential compliance risks and a commitment to act with integrity, as the foundation for the Company’s success, reputation and sustainable growth.