Contract Manager in Luton

Your Impact

Do you have a variety of previous Commercial experience in the Aerospace and Defence Sector? Are you looking for a new opportunity to take on a senior role within a team? Do you want to work for an integrated and dynamic industrial entity, focused on Aerospace, Defence and Security, at the forefront of technology and launched towards the industry of the future? This is an exciting opportunity to be part of the Integrated Mission Support Commercial team at Leonardo, within the Electronic Warfare (EW) division, which is a major growth area with ambitious targets over the short to medium term.

Leonardo is looking for an ambitious Contracts Manager to work in a fast-paced and dynamic environment. You will interface with a variety of UK and International customers focused within both the UK and Export arena, working as part of integrated project teams (IPTs). You will have responsibility for the maintenance of current contracts and development of commercial bids/proposals, providing strategic and commercially sound guidance on challenging contracts and new opportunities within the business.

The successful candidate will have a positive record of accomplishment in a commercial business winning and contract management capacity in the Aerospace and Defence Sector and have experience working within a fast-paced and challenging environment. This role is required to work at fast pace and to tight timeframes, so excellent communication skills and ability to prioritise is a must. In return, this role provides a high level of variety of contracts, customers and work environments. The role could be based at either our Luton or Lincoln sites, on a hybrid working basis (with some home working). This is an exciting opportunity for someone looking to take their next step in Commercial experience, leading a variety of bids and contracts for key programmes, products and customers.

What you’ll do as a Contracts Manager:

• Provide strategic and tactical oversight to a number of contracts and bid activities.
• Drafting, negotiating and administration of complex terms and conditions of contract, working with Procurement counterparts to ensure appropriate flow through with subcontractors.
• Produce, document, and brief clear and informed commercial strategies to leverage the best possible outcomes for Leonardo UK.
• Produce accurate and compliant customer pricing by applying the appropriate pricing strategy and model to cost estimates.
• Take the lead in producing clear and concise correspondence, obtaining stakeholder input as and when required.
• Draft and review agreements such as Non-Disclosure Agreements, Software Licensing Agreements and Memorandums of Understanding and other T&Cs.
• Provide commercial leadership and administration to projects and/or contracts, including change control management, monitoring performance of its contractual obligations and management of commercial risk.
• Prepare proposals for submission to Customers in conjunction with the preparation of internal documentation required to obtain bid approval.
• Ensure adherence to commercial and business processes.
• Build and maintain mutually beneficial relationships with colleagues and customers to deliver value to the company.
• Work as an integral member of the Integrated Project Management Team.
• Manage own workload, highlighting areas of conflict or priority and effectively manage stakeholder and customer expectations.

What you'll bring:

• Able to advocate at senior levels of an organisation.
• Comfortable preparing and providing senior level briefs.
• Readily able to identify and carry out complex commercial strategies, managing stakeholder and customer relationships to obtain successful outcomes.
• Experience working with UK Government and international Contracts.
• Detailed understanding of business finance, profit and loss, margin and mark up, escalation, foreign exchange.
• Good understanding of export legislation, import taxes and duties.
• High level of understanding of contract law and its application.
• Identifies and understands commercial risks and how to implement mitigation strategies.
• Ability to build effective and strong relationships with cross‑functional colleagues, customers and suppliers.
• Proactive, tenacious, results driven.
• Desire to learn and improve self.
• Willingness to travel in the UK to internal and customer sites, with possible overseas travel.

It would be nice if you had:

• Degree, professional qualification (such as IACCM/WCC) and/or defence contracting experience.
• Understanding of Leonardo markets, products, customers and suppliers.
• Ability to promote a culture of best practice and sharing of knowledge within the function and across the wider business.
• Familiarity with SAP and its functionality.

Security Clearance: This role is subject to pre-employment screening in line with the UK Government’s Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). An additional range of Personnel Security Controls referred to as National Security Vetting (NSV) may apply, this could include meeting the eligibility requirements for The Security Check (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV).

Why join us: At Leonardo, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We offer a comprehensive, company-funded benefits package that supports your wellbeing, career development, and work–life balance. Whether you're looking to grow professionally, care for your health, or plan for the future, we’re here to help you thrive.

• Time to Recharge: Enjoy generous leave with the opportunity to accrue up to 12 additional flexi-days each year.
• Secure your Future: Benefit from our award-winning pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution.
• Your Wellbeing Matters: Free access to mental health support, financial advice, and employee-led networks championing inclusion and diversity.
• Rewarding Performance: All employees at management level and below are eligible for our bonus scheme.
• Never Stop Learning: Free access to 4,000+ online courses via Coursera and LinkedIn Learning.
• Refer a friend: Receive a financial reward through our referral programme.
• Tailored Perks: Spend up to £500 annually on flexible benefits including private healthcare, dental, family cover, tech & lifestyle discounts, gym memberships and more.
• Flexible working: Flexible hours with hybrid working options.

Primary Location: GB - Luton - Cap. Green 300

Additional Locations: GB - Lincoln

Contract Type: Permanent

Hybrid Working: Hybrid