Senior Defence Commercial Lead – Hybrid & Career Growth in Hastings

General Dynamics Mission Systems engineers a diverse portfolio of high technology solutions, products and services that enable customers to successfully execute missions across all domains of operation. With a global team of more than 13,000 top professionals, we partner with the best in industry to expand the bounds of innovation in the defence and scientific arenas. In the UK, we are leading the way in avionics and communication systems.

General Dynamics in St Leonards-on-Sea currently provide avionic mission computing systems for a wide range of military fast jets, helicopters, and UAVs. Recent success has resulted in General Dynamics developing the next generation of Advanced High Performance, Safety Critical Mission Computer Systems to meet the needs of latest platforms in development by several aircraft manufacturers. These Mission Computing Systems provide the functionality that integrates aircraft systems, sensor systems and stores management systems with the information and control systems required by the aircrew to meet the demanding operational needs of these aircraft.

As a professional Commercial Officer, you will work within the Commercial Team leading on contract management of multiple programmes, customer engagement, systems management and commercial aspects of quotations.

In the role you will:

• Manage commercial agreements, including review, vetting, and execution of business contracts, NDAs, and licenses.
• Prepare tender approval packs and lead commercial aspects of internal gate reviews.
• Act as the primary point of contact for customers on commercial and contractual matters, developing and maintaining strong relationships.
• Lead contract negotiations, implementation, and change proposals to minimise liabilities and maximise opportunities.
• Identify, monitor, and manage commercial risks, working proactively to mitigate issues and capitalise on potential opportunities.
• Support internal teams and initiatives, including offset and industrial participation obligations, dispute resolution, and claims management.
• Ensure timely and accurate input of commercial data into company information systems and databases.
• Contribute to process improvements and efficiency initiatives within the commercial function.

To be successful in this role you will demonstrate:

• Knowledge of terms and conditions and contractual law.
• Contract management and customer relationship management experience and able to discuss and resolve moderately complex issues.
• Able to offer flexible solutions to commercial challenges for current and future opportunities.
• Awareness of commercial and contract management processes.
• Able to identify and manage commercial risk.
• Demonstrable drive for change.
• MoD/ Defence contracting experience is desirable.

This role has a salary of between 34,000 - 42,500, depending on experience, plus our flexible benefits package. We are open to this role being spent with time working from home and in the office (hybrid - typically 3 days working in office) on a weekly basis or fully in our offices.

We pride ourselves in being a great place to work with a shared sense of purpose, offering impressive benefits:

• A compressed nine-day fortnight and compressed hours - which means every other Friday off.
• A personalized career development plan, alongside regular progress reviews - supporting and valuing your progression within the Company.
• A flexible working environment where your contributions are recognized and rewarded with flexible benefits.

We believe in maintaining a diverse workplace - inclusive of beliefs, cultural background, job experiences, thoughts and ideas. If who we are and what we do resonates with you, we welcome you to join our inclusive team!

Our success is fuelled by our colleagues and the wide variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills they bring to the Company. We are a Disability Confident Employer, as such we offer an interview to disabled people who meet the minimum criteria for the job.

All successful/appointed applicants must be able to obtain a level of UK Security clearance that is appropriate for the role and undertake suitable Right to work checks.