Senior Commercial Manager

Senior Commercial Manager

Bristol Full-Time 42000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead commercial strategies and support long-term contracts with the MOD.
  • Company: Babcock International Group is a leader in defence, protecting communities and building a better world.
  • Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, generous holidays, health perks, and an employee share scheme.
  • Why this job: Join a dynamic team shaping the future of defence with innovative solutions and strong values.
  • Qualifications: Experience in contract management, excellent communication skills, and ideally a degree in relevant fields.
  • Other info: Flexible working options available; commitment to inclusivity and support for disabilities.

The predicted salary is between 42000 - 60000 £ per year.

Overview

Job Title: Senior Commercial Manager

Compensation: £65,000 – £75,000 + Benefits

Role Type: Full time / Fixed Term Contract

Role ID: SF71004

Location: Flexible, UK + Hybrid Working Arrangements

Shape commercial strategy for programmes of national importance. At Babcock, we’re working to create a safe and secure world, together. If you join us, you can play your part as a Senior Commercial Manager at our Bristol location, with flexibility to work across the UK and occasional travel.

The role

As a Senior Commercial Manager, you’ll take a leading role within our UK Aviation business, supporting delivery across major UK defence and civil aviation programmes. You’ll work within a trusted, integrated environment alongside our joint‑venture customers to deliver IT and infrastructure capability for projects that are critical to national operations. In this role, you’ll influence commercial strategy, shape contract delivery, and support business growth while developing solutions that drive long‑term value and resilience.

Day-to-day, you’ll have the following responsibilities:

  • Lead end‑to‑end commercial and contract management across Babcock’s responsibilities within the Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft (FSTA) and UK Military Flying Training System (UKMFTS) programmes.
  • Work in partnership with customers and stakeholders to ensure changes are delivered on time, to quality and within budget.
  • Provide commercial and legal insight and guidance to protect Babcock’s interests and ensure best‑practice decision‑making.
  • Present accurate commercial data and insight to key stakeholders, ensuring senior leadership has the information needed for strategic direction.
  • Analyse and recommend commercial strategies, options, and models to support business and growth opportunities.

Essential experience

  • Experience in contract delivery and management within a commercial organisation or public sector setting.
  • Demonstrated experience working collaboratively with cross‑functional teams.
  • Strong presentation skills with the ability to communicate to customers and internal stakeholders.
  • Knowledge of NEC4 contracts, PFI contracting and/or joint venture environments. (Desirable)

Qualifications

  • MCIPS / WCC qualification. (Desirable)
  • Degree or equivalent experience in a commercial discipline. (Desirable)

Security Clearance

The successful candidate must be able to achieve and maintain Standard (BPSS) security clearance for this role.

Many of the positions within our company are subject to national security clearance and Trade Control restrictions. This means that your eligibility for certain roles may be affected by your place of birth, nationality, current or former citizenship, and any residency you hold or have held. Further details are available at United Kingdom Security Vetting: clearance levels – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

What We Offer

  • Generous holiday allowance
  • Matched contribution pension scheme, with life assurance
  • Access to a Digital GP, annual health check, and nutritional consultations through Aviva DigiCare+
  • Employee shopping savings portal
  • Payment of Professional Fees
  • Reservists in the armed forces receive 10-days special paid leave
  • Holiday Trading is a benefit that allows UK Babcock employees to buy additional leave or to sell up to one working week of annual leave from their annual entitlement. This Window opens February through to March annually.
  • Be Kind Day enables employees to take one working day\’s paid leave a year (or equivalent hours) to undertake volunteering work with their chosen organisation or registered charity.

About Babcock

We’re Babcock — a global FTSE 100 organisation with over 26,000 people working together to make a difference. Here, you’ll be part of something bigger. From initial design to final decommissioning, your work will contribute to products and services that are essential to national security and public infrastructure. Together, we’re building a future that lasts — not just through the impact we make, but through meaningful careers that respect your work-life balance. We call that lifetime engineering. Join us and see how far we can go, together.

We are a disability confident committed employer. If you have a disability or need any reasonable adjustments during the application and selection stages, please email careers@babcockinternational.com with the subject header ‘Reasonable adjustments requirement’. We’re committed to building an inclusive culture where everyone’s free to thrive. We are happy to talk about flexible working – please ask about alternative patterns of work at interview.

Closing date

Closing date: 19/02/2026

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Senior Commercial Manager employer: Babcock International Group

Babcock International Group is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Bristol or Plymouth with hybrid working arrangements. Employees benefit from a generous holiday allowance, matched pension contributions, and extensive professional development opportunities, all while contributing to meaningful projects that enhance national security and community protection. The inclusive culture promotes employee wellbeing and supports flexible working patterns, making it an ideal place for those seeking a rewarding career in the defence sector.
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Contact Detail:

Babcock International Group Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Commercial Manager

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the UK Defence market and the specific contracting methods used by the MOD. Understanding these nuances will help you demonstrate your expertise during interviews and discussions.

✨Tip Number 2

Network with professionals in the defence sector, especially those who have experience with Babcock or similar companies. Engaging with industry contacts can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to referrals.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare to discuss your previous experiences in contract and bid management in detail. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully navigated complex negotiations or managed risks in past roles.

✨Tip Number 4

Research Babcock International Group's recent projects and initiatives. Being knowledgeable about their current operations will allow you to tailor your conversations and show genuine interest in their work.

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Commercial Manager

Contract Management
Bid Management
Commercial Negotiation
Stakeholder Engagement
Risk Assessment and Mitigation
Attention to Detail
Strategic Thinking
Excellent Communication Skills
Problem-Solving Skills
Knowledge of UK MOD Contracting Methods
Financial Acumen
Team Leadership
Compliance Management
Adaptability in Dynamic Environments

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in contract and bid management, especially within the UK Defence market. Use specific examples that demonstrate your expertise in commercial terms and agreements.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills. Mention how your background aligns with Babcock's mission to create a safe and secure world, and express your enthusiasm for the Senior Commercial Manager role.

Highlight Relevant Qualifications: If you have a degree or professional memberships related to Engineering, Business, Law, or Accountancy, be sure to include these in your application. Even if not essential, they can strengthen your candidacy.

Demonstrate Stakeholder Engagement: In your application, provide examples of how you've successfully interacted with stakeholders in previous roles. Highlight your ability to develop positive customer relationships and negotiate effectively, as this is crucial for the position.

How to prepare for a job interview at Babcock International Group

✨Understand the Defence Sector

Make sure you have a solid grasp of the UK Defence market and Babcock's role within it. Familiarise yourself with MOD contracting methods and strategies, as this knowledge will be crucial during your interview.

✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills

Prepare examples that highlight your communication and negotiation skills. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully navigated complex commercial discussions in the past, as this is key for a Senior Commercial Manager.

✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Abilities

Think of specific instances where you've identified and mitigated contractual risks. Being able to articulate your problem-solving process will show your potential employer that you're capable of handling the challenges of the role.

✨Engage with Stakeholders

Prepare to discuss how you've built and maintained positive relationships with stakeholders in previous roles. This is essential for the position, so think about how you can convey your ability to represent the company effectively.

Senior Commercial Manager
Babcock International Group
Location: Bristol
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