Principal Commercial Officer
Principal Commercial Officer

Principal Commercial Officer

Full-Time 43000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
Go Premium
B

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Negotiate contracts and manage customer relationships in a dynamic team environment.
  • Company: Join BAE Systems, a leader in the defence sector with a focus on innovation.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, flexible health benefits, and career development opportunities.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact while developing your skills in a supportive and inclusive culture.
  • Qualifications: Strong communication skills and experience in contract management are essential.
  • Other info: Opportunities for career growth and relocation support available.

The predicted salary is between 43000 - 60000 £ per year.

Job Title: Principal Commercial Officer

Location: Barrow-in-Furness (3 days per week on-site)

Salary: Competitive

What you’ll be doing

  • Reviewing, drafting, negotiating, and finalising contracts and commercial agreements with customers and suppliers
  • Provision of contract management support, including contract administration, managing change, contract configuration and contract closure
  • Customer relationship management: applying a high degree of customer focus, developing and maintaining relationships with both internal and external stakeholders
  • Managing, developing and mentoring junior members of the team

Your skills and experiences

Essential

  • Excellent communication skills
  • Experience in drafting, writing and negotiating contracts
  • Demonstrable client/customer relationship management; ability to forge strong working relationships
  • Ability to present in senior management forums

Desirable

  • Knowledge of terms and conditions, types of contracts, commercial skillset, risks and opportunities
  • Defence sector experience
  • Experience in managing and developing others
  • Business acumen and Submarines product knowledge

Benefits

As well as a competitive pension scheme, BAE Systems also offers employee share plans, an extensive range of flexible discounted health, wellbeing and lifestyle benefits, including a green car scheme, private health plans and shopping discounts – you may also be eligible for an annual incentive.

Commercial Team

As a member of the Commercial Team, you will work cross-functionally and with the customer. Your primary role will be to support the contact preparations, negotiation, bidding, writing and drafting, configuring, and managing of contacts. These consist of multi-function teams, such as Project Management, Engineering, Technical Specialist, and Supply Chain. Career Development is fully supported within the team, with the opportunity to move up to management level along with skillset development through further education and recognised training to facilitate lateral moves within the wider BAE business. We offer relocation support packages across all Submarines roles, subject to meeting eligibility criteria.

Why BAE Systems?

This is a place where you’ll be able to make a real difference. You’ll be part of an inclusive culture that values diversity of thought, rewards integrity, and merit, and where you’ll be empowered to fulfil your potential. We welcome people from all backgrounds and want to make sure that our recruitment processes are as inclusive as possible. If you have a disability or health condition (for example dyslexia, autism, an anxiety disorder etc.) that may affect your performance in certain assessment types, please speak to your recruiter about potential reasonable adjustments.

Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.

Closing Date

19th November 2025

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

#J-18808-Ljbffr

Principal Commercial Officer employer: BAE Systems - UK

BAE Systems is an exceptional employer located in Barrow-in-Furness, offering a dynamic work environment where you can thrive as a Principal Commercial Officer. With a strong focus on employee development, you will have access to extensive training opportunities and career progression within a diverse and inclusive culture that values integrity and innovation. Enjoy competitive benefits, including flexible health plans and relocation support, while making a meaningful impact in the defence sector.
B

Contact Detail:

BAE Systems - UK Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Principal Commercial Officer

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the defence sector and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. A friendly chat can lead to valuable insights or even a referral.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to contract management and customer relationship skills. We recommend role-playing with a friend to boost your confidence and refine your answers.

✨Tip Number 3

Showcase your experience! When you get the chance to present in interviews, highlight specific examples of how you've successfully negotiated contracts or managed client relationships. Numbers and outcomes speak volumes!

✨Tip Number 4

Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.

We think you need these skills to ace Principal Commercial Officer

Excellent Communication Skills
Contract Drafting
Contract Negotiation
Contract Management
Customer Relationship Management
Stakeholder Engagement
Presentation Skills
Knowledge of Terms and Conditions
Commercial Acumen
Defence Sector Experience
Team Management
Mentoring Skills
Risk Management
Submarines Product Knowledge

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Principal Commercial Officer role. Highlight your experience in drafting and negotiating contracts, as well as your customer relationship management skills. We want to see how you fit into our team!

Show Off Your Communication Skills: Since excellent communication is key for this role, don’t shy away from showcasing your ability to present ideas clearly. Use examples from your past experiences where you’ve successfully communicated with stakeholders or managed client relationships.

Be Specific About Your Experience: When detailing your experience, be specific about the types of contracts you've worked with and any relevant knowledge of the defence sector. This will help us understand your background and how it aligns with what we’re looking for.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows us that you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at BAE Systems!

How to prepare for a job interview at BAE Systems - UK

✨Know Your Contracts Inside Out

Make sure you brush up on your contract drafting and negotiation skills. Familiarise yourself with common terms and conditions, as well as the specific types of contracts relevant to the defence sector. This will not only help you answer questions confidently but also demonstrate your expertise.

✨Showcase Your Communication Skills

Since excellent communication is key for this role, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed client relationships or presented in senior management forums. This will highlight your ability to forge strong working relationships.

✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions

Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and how you handle contract management challenges. Think of specific situations where you've had to manage change or resolve conflicts in contracts, and be ready to discuss your approach and the outcomes.

✨Demonstrate Leadership Potential

As the role involves mentoring junior team members, be prepared to discuss your experience in developing others. Share examples of how you've supported colleagues in their growth and how you can contribute to a positive team culture at BAE Systems.

Principal Commercial Officer
BAE Systems - UK
Go Premium

Land your dream job quicker with Premium

You’re marked as a top applicant with our partner companies
Individual CV and cover letter feedback including tailoring to specific job roles
Be among the first applications for new jobs with our AI application
1:1 support and career advice from our career coaches
Go Premium

Money-back if you don't land a job in 6-months

B
Similar positions in other companies
UK’s top job board for Gen Z
discover-jobs-cta
Discover now
>