At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead commercial strategy for defence programmes and ensure compliance and risk management.
- Company: Dynamic defence organisation with a focus on innovation and growth.
- Benefits: Private medical and dental cover, career development, and performance bonuses.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with opportunities for travel and professional growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of defence while developing your commercial leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in defence contracting and strong financial awareness required.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 € per year.
Shape commercial strategy across complex defence programmes while building structured, scalable commercial frameworks. You will influence key decisions, strengthen governance and develop into broader commercial leadership.
Location and setup: Hybrid working (1‑2 days a week) in Portsmouth, with travel to other sites as required. This is a permanent, full‑time role.
What you will be doing:
- Lead end‑to‑end commercial and contractual activity from early opportunity through to contract completion and close‑out.
- Provide commercial leadership across a portfolio of programmes, ensuring governance, compliance and risk management are applied consistently.
- Support bid activity with pricing strategy, contract review and commercial input to secure new work.
- Deliver financial oversight across projects including cost control, margin protection and performance tracking.
- Manage and enhance supply chain performance, building resilience and improving supplier outcomes.
- Partner with leadership and delivery teams to ensure commercial decisions are timely, informed and aligned to business strategy.
- Develop and embed best practice commercial processes that enable sustainable growth.
Your experience:
- Strong background in defence contracting, including familiarity with industry standards and frameworks.
- Experience supporting both bids and live programme delivery in a commercial capacity.
- Sound financial awareness including reporting, forecasting and risk evaluation.
- Ability to influence at all levels and build effective working relationships across complex organisations.
- Proven ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced and evolving environment.
- Proactive mindset with the ability to identify commercial risks and opportunities and act decisively.
What you will need:
- SC clearance eligibility with willingness to undertake vetting.
- Proven commercial experience within defence or highly regulated sectors.
- Strong knowledge of contracts, terms and conditions and regulatory compliance.
- Ability to negotiate effectively and make sound commercial decisions under pressure.
- Experience managing stakeholders across delivery teams, suppliers and customers.
Benefits and balance:
- Private family medical cover supporting you and your household.
- Private family dental cover providing additional health security.
- Structured career development pathways that support long‑term progression.
- Annual performance‑related bonus of up to 10 percent.
These vacancies require security clearance. Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain relevant clearance.
Commercial Manager in Portsmouth employer: Electus Recruitment Solutions
As a leading employer in the defence sector, we offer a dynamic work environment in Portsmouth that fosters innovation and collaboration. Our hybrid working model promotes a healthy work-life balance, while our commitment to structured career development ensures that you can grow your skills and advance your career. With competitive benefits including private medical and dental cover, as well as performance-related bonuses, we are dedicated to supporting our employees both personally and professionally.
Contact Detail:
Electus Recruitment Solutions Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Manager in Portsmouth
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the defence sector, attend industry events, and connect on LinkedIn. Building relationships can open doors that you didn’t even know existed.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Understand their commercial strategies and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs. We want you to shine!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills through real-life examples. When discussing your experience, highlight specific instances where you influenced decisions or improved processes. This will demonstrate your value to potential employers.
✨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 Commercial Manager in Portsmouth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in defence contracting and commercial leadership. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Showcase Your Financial Savvy:Since financial oversight is key for this role, include specific examples of how you've managed budgets, controlled costs, or improved margins in past projects. We love numbers, so if you can quantify your successes, even better!
Demonstrate Your Stakeholder Management Skills:This position requires strong relationship-building abilities. Share instances where you've successfully influenced decisions or collaborated with various teams. We want to see how you navigate complex organisations and manage multiple priorities.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing applications come directly from our site!
How to prepare for a job interview at Electus Recruitment Solutions
✨Know Your Defence Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of defence contracting and industry standards. Familiarise yourself with the specific frameworks relevant to the role, as this will show that you’re not just a generalist but someone who understands the nuances of the sector.
✨Showcase Your Commercial Acumen
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in managing commercial activities, especially in complex environments. Be ready to discuss how you've influenced key decisions and ensured compliance and risk management in past roles.
✨Demonstrate Stakeholder Management Skills
Think of instances where you've successfully managed relationships with various stakeholders. This could include delivery teams, suppliers, or customers. Being able to articulate how you’ve navigated these relationships will be crucial.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical situations related to contract negotiations or risk evaluation. Practise articulating your thought process and decision-making strategies under pressure, as this will showcase your proactive mindset.
