Defence Contract Commercial Lead in Kidlington

Our client is seeking a results-driven and commercially astute Commercial Manager to join our dynamic Commercial Business team. This is a unique opportunity to gain unparalleled exposure to the commercial business of a leading aerospace company.

The Commercial Team is responsible for driving the successful execution of contracts associated with the Sale & customisation, retrofit, training, MRO and Support & Services for our civilian and military customers. In addition, you will be a key partner to the Offers Manager, providing critical support on contractual setups, including the negotiation and refinement of Terms & Conditions (T&Cs) during complex bidding processes.

This pivotal role necessitates seamless collaboration across various departments such as, but not limited to, Sales, Design, Production, Maintenance, Material Management and Finance, as well as other entities.

Your primary responsibilities will include:

• Lead the commercial and contractual management of key governmental and military contracts, ensuring full compliance with National and UK MoD regulations, including the Procurement Act 2023, the Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations (DSPCR), and the Single Source Regulations (SSRO). Prepare and manage all contractual reports, such as SSRO-mandated reports, Contract Pricing Statements (CPS), Contract Reporting Plans (CRP), and Final Price Adjustments (FPA), for submission to the Governmental bodies.
• Proactively manage the entire contract lifecycle, overseeing all key deliverables, milestones, and payment schedules with a particular focus on managing allowable costs, contract profit rate (CPR), and cash flow for SSRO contracts.
• Serve as the primary commercial point of contact for the UK MoD customer, expertly leading the negotiation and execution of all contract amendments, change orders, and managing all contractual customer reporting requirements.
• Confidently represent commercial interests in all internal and external stakeholder meetings, effectively communicating and defending the company's position within a regulated procurement environment.
• Actively contribute to the continuous improvement of the Contract Management methodology, including these in relation to SSRO best practices and compliance procedures.

This role is a superb fit for an individual with a demonstrable passion for commercial excellence and rigorous contract execution in the Government or UK defence sector. You will need to be a meticulous and proactive problem-solver with an exceptional eye for detail and a talent for identifying and mitigating commercial risks within a highly regulated framework. A balance of autonomy and strong collaborative skills is essential for success, enabling you to engage effectively with stakeholders from the shop floor to senior leadership.

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• A Bachelor's or Master's degree in Business, Law, or a related field.
• Proven experience in a commercial, contract management, or a related business role, demonstrating strong commercial acumen within the defence or aerospace industry.
• Expert knowledge and demonstrable hands-on experience in managing Governmental or UK defence contracts under the SSRO regulatory framework.
• Demonstrable experience in leading complex contract negotiations. You must be adept at financial analysis, business case development, and managing contract profitability.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to influence and build robust relationships with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Exceptional organisational and time-management skills, with a proven ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously and prioritise effectively to meet business deadlines.
• Excellent MS Office capabilities (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and GSuite (GSheet, GDocs, and related applications).
• A proactive, "can-do" attitude and a flexible approach, with a talent for identifying commercial risks and developing effective mitigation strategies.
• Willingness and ability to travel occasionally to other sites in the UK, and abroad as required.

Desirable

• A broad understanding of the global aviation/aerospace/military industry or another high-value, complex engineering sector.
• A track record of successfully managing the full lifecycle of contracts with values exceeding £5 million.
• A strong understanding of contract law and its practical application in a commercial setting.
• Ability to work on several contracts at any one time and prioritise according to business needs.
• Knowledge of UK civilian and/or military procurement processes would be a significant advantage.
• Capability to develop tools using either VBA or Appscript to automate tasks and improve reporting efficiency.

Additional requirements

• Due to the nature of this position, the successful candidate must be able to obtain DBS and undergo Security Clearance.
• Applicants must meet any/all requirements of Export Compliance Regulations.
• Applicants must be able to provide proof they have the right to work in the UK.

Please get in touch to find out more about this fantastic opportunity!