Commercial Manager -government and defence

Arden White are currently recruiting for a Commercial Manager with a leading aviation organisation supporting high-value government and defence programmes. This is a critical, commercially focused role where you’ll take ownership of complex contracts within a highly regulated environment. You will lead on contract execution, financial performance, and compliance—working at the centre of major aerospace programmes that directly support national operations.

If you have strong experience managing UK government or defence contracts and thrive in a fast‑paced, stakeholder‑driven environment, this is a standout opportunity.

The Opportunity

You’ll play a pivotal role in managing the full commercial lifecycle of contracts across aviation services including MRO, training, retrofit, and support programmes. Acting as the key commercial interface with government customers, you will ensure contracts are delivered in line with regulatory frameworks, financial targets, and operational objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the commercial and contractual management of government and defence contracts.
• Ensure full compliance with UK procurement regulations, including the Procurement Act 2023, Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations (DSPCR), and Single Source Contract Regulations (SSCR / SSRO).
• Own the end‑to‑end contract lifecycle, including deliverables, milestones, cash flow, and profitability.
• Prepare and manage contractual reporting such as Contract Pricing Statements (CPS), Contract Reporting Plans (CRP), and Final Price Adjustments (FPA).
• Act as the primary commercial point of contact for government customers.
• Lead contract negotiations, amendments, and change orders.
• Manage and optimise allowable costs, contract profit rates (CPR), and financial performance.
• Support complex bid activity, including terms and conditions negotiation and contract set‑up.
• Work cross‑functionally with Sales, Engineering, Production, Supply Chain, and Finance.
• Identify and mitigate commercial risks within a regulated framework.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of contract management processes and compliance practices.

What We’re Looking For

• Degree in Business, Law, or a related discipline.
• Proven experience in commercial or contract management within defence, aerospace, or a regulated industry.
• Strong working knowledge of SSRO / SSCR frameworks and UK government contracting.
• Demonstrable experience managing complex, high‑value contracts (typically £5M+).
• Strong background in contract negotiation and financial analysis.
• Ability to manage multiple contracts and priorities simultaneously.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, including experience working with government customers.
• High level of attention to detail with a proactive, solutions‑driven mindset.
• Advanced skills in Excel, reporting, and commercial analysis tools.

Desirable Experience

• Understanding of aviation, aerospace, or defence operations.
• Knowledge of UK procurement processes.
• Experience improving reporting processes or developing tools (e.g., VBA, automation).

Additional Requirements

• Ability to obtain security clearance.
• Willingness to travel occasionally (UK and internationally).
• Right to work in the UK.

Benefits

• Work on strategically important government aviation programmes.
• High level of commercial ownership and influence.
• Exposure to senior stakeholders and complex contract environments.
• Join a forward‑thinking organisation with strong growth and long‑term opportunities.