Senior Commercial Manager

An opportunity has arisen for an experienced Senior Commercial Manager to support the Digital business unit in Bristol. The role will have a strong focus on business growth, competitive bids, proposals and other pre-contract activities, alongside broader commercial and contract management responsibilities. The successful candidate will provide commercial leadership across new business opportunities, competitive tenders, frameworks, contract changes and long-term programmes.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead commercial activity across complex competitive bids, proposals, frameworks and new business opportunities.
• Develop and implement commercial strategies that support successful bids whilst protecting the organisation's contractual and financial interests.
• Lead and support commercial governance throughout the bid and proposal lifecycle, including bid/no-bid and make/buy reviews.
• Draft, review, interpret and negotiate complex contractual terms and conditions.
• Develop and review Statements of Work (SoW), contractual documentation and agreements with customers and external parties.
• Lead contract change and tasking proposals through development, negotiation and award.
• Provide commercial and contract management support throughout programme execution, identifying and resolving contractual and commercial issues.
• Develop and review cost estimates, pricing strategies and profit objectives to support commercially viable proposals.
• Conduct risk and opportunity assessments, developing appropriate mitigation strategies and recommendations.
• Review and approve proposals and commercial agreements prepared by colleagues.
• Represent the business in customer negotiations and, within delegated authority, submit commercial offers and contractual commitments.
• Ensure compliance with internal commercial policies, relevant legislation, procurement regulations and contractual requirements.
• Work closely with Programme Management, Finance, Procurement, Legal and other functions to achieve successful commercial outcomes.
• Develop effective relationships with customers and key stakeholders, acting as a trusted commercial business partner.
• Identify opportunities to improve commercial processes, governance and overall business performance.

Skills & Experience:

• Significant experience within Commercial Management, Contracts Management or a comparable commercial role, ideally within defence, aerospace or another complex regulated environment.
• Strong UK defence contracting experience, including drafting, interpreting and negotiating complex terms and conditions.
• Demonstrable experience providing commercial leadership across competitive bids, tenders and pre-contract activities.
• Strong knowledge of Single Source Contract Regulations (SSCR), UK procurement regulations and government contracting frameworks.
• Comprehensive understanding of contract formation, contract structures, proposal processes and contract management.
• Experience developing commercial strategies, business cases, cost estimates and pricing/profit objectives.
• Strong understanding of commercial, contractual and programme risk and opportunity management.
• Excellent negotiation skills with the ability to achieve commercially balanced outcomes.
• Strong financial and business acumen with an understanding of programme and contractual performance.
• Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders, customers and cross-functional teams within a matrix organisation.
• Strong analytical, decision-making and problem-solving capabilities.
• Ability to manage multiple complex priorities whilst maintaining accuracy and high-quality commercial outputs.
• Proactive and adaptable approach, with the ability to work independently and anticipate commercial risks and issues.

Qualifications & Desirable Experience:

• Seven or more years' experience within Commercial or Contract Management; extensive experience within a multinational organisation and UK defence environment would be advantageous.
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Law or another relevant discipline desirable.
• World Commerce & Contracting (formerly IACCM) CCM qualification would be advantageous.
• Previous experience supporting complex UK Ministry of Defence programmes would be highly desirable.

Additional Information:

• Eligibility: Applicants must already have the legal right to work in the UK. Visa sponsorship is not available.
• Relocation: Relocation assistance is not provided.