Contracts Manager

Contracts Manager

Luton Full-Time 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
Go Premium
L

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Manage contracts and bids, ensuring strategic oversight and compliance.
  • Company: Join Leonardo, a global leader in Aerospace, Defence, and Security.
  • Benefits: Generous leave, pension scheme, mental health support, and flexible working options.
  • Why this job: Make an impact in a dynamic environment while developing your career.
  • Qualifications: Experience with UK Government contracts and strong communication skills required.
  • Other info: Access to 4,000+ online courses for continuous learning.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.

Job Description:

Your impact

Do you have a variety of previous Commercial experience in the Aerospace and Defence Sector and looking for a new opportunity to take on a senior role within a dynamic team?

We have an exciting opportunity for an ambitious Contracts Manager to join our commercial team at Leonardo working within the Electronic Warfare (EW)division which is a major growth area with ambitious targets over the short to medium term.

As part of the Integrated Mission Solutions (IMS) sector within the EW division, you’ll play a pivotal role in supporting the business, interfacing 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 opportunities within the business.

The successful candidate will have a successful 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 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 or Lincoln or Luton sites, on a hybrid working basis

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.

  • Provide strategic and tactical oversight to a number 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 (obtaining any necessary approvals) 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.
  • Drafting and reviewing agreements such as Non-Disclosure Agreements, Software Licensing Agreements and Memorandums of Understanding and other T&Cs.
  • Providing commercial leadership and administration to projects and/or contracts, including change control management, monitoring performance of its contractual obligations and management of commercial risk.
  • Preparing proposals for submission to Customers in conjunction with the preparation of internal documentation required to obtain bid approval.
  • Ensuring adherence to commercial and business processes.
  • Build and maintain mutually beneficial relationships with colleagues and customers to deliver the value to the company.
  • Work as an integral member of the Integrated Project Management Team
  • Managing own workload, highlighting areas of conflict or priority and effectively managing stakeholder and customer expectations.
  • What you’ll bring

  • Proven ability to advocate and influence at senior levels within organisations.
  • Strong experience working with UK Government and international contracts.
  • In-depth understanding of business finance including profit & loss, margins, mark-up, escalation, and foreign exchange.
  • Good knowledge of export legislation, import taxes, and duties.
  • High-level understanding of contract law and its application.
  • Ability to identify and manage commercial risks, implementing effective mitigation strategies.
  • Strong relationship-building skills across cross-functional teams, customers, and suppliers.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
  • Excellent written, oral, and presentation communication skills.
  • Willingness to travel within the UK (possible overseas travel).
  • It would be nice if you had:

  • A relevant degree or professional qualification (e.g. IACCM/WCC) and/or defence contracting experience.
  • Detailed understanding of Leonardo markets, products, customers, and suppliers.
  • Ability to promote a culture of best practice and knowledge sharing across the function and 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). For more information and guidance please visit:

    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 (Enable, Pride, Equalise, Armed Forces, Carers, Wellbeing and Ethnicity).
  • 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. For part time opportunities, please talk to us about what might be possible for this role.
  • For a full list of our company benefits please visit our website.

    Leonardo is a global leader in Aerospace, Defence, and Security. Headquartered in Italy, we employ over 53,000 people worldwide including 8,500 across 9 sites in the UK. Our employees are not just part of a team—they are key contributors to shaping innovation, advancing technology, and enhancing global safety.

    At Leonardo we are committed to building an inclusive, accessible, and welcoming workplace. We believe that a diverse workforce sparks creativity, drives innovation, and leads to better outcomes for our people and our customers. If you have any accessibility requirements to support you during the recruitment process, just let us know.

    Be part of something bigger – apply now

    #LI-KA1

    #LI-hybrid

    Contracts Manager employer: Leonardo

    At Leonardo, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee wellbeing and professional growth. Our comprehensive benefits package includes generous leave, a robust pension scheme, and access to extensive learning resources, ensuring that our Contracts Managers thrive both personally and professionally in our Luton location. Join us to be part of a dynamic team where your contributions are valued, and you can make a meaningful impact in the Aerospace and Defence sectors.
    L

    Contact Detail:

    Leonardo Recruiting Team

    StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

    We think this is how you could land Contracts Manager

    ✨Tip Number 1

    Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about asking for introductions. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Contracts Manager role.

    ✨Tip Number 2

    Prepare for interviews by researching Leonardo and its projects. Understand their values and how your experience aligns with their needs. This will help you stand out and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.

    ✨Tip Number 3

    Practice your negotiation skills! As a Contracts Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to advocate for the best outcomes. Role-play scenarios with friends or mentors to build confidence before the real deal.

    ✨Tip Number 4

    Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at Leonardo.

    We think you need these skills to ace Contracts Manager

    Contract Negotiation
    Commercial Awareness
    Stakeholder Management
    Risk Management
    Proposal Preparation
    Contract Law Knowledge
    Microsoft Office Proficiency
    Relationship Building
    Change Control Management
    Export Legislation Knowledge
    Financial Acumen
    Communication Skills
    Project Management
    Attention to Detail

    Some tips for your application 🫡

    Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Contracts Manager role. Highlight your experience with UK and international contracts, and showcase how your skills align with the job description.

    Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since this role involves drafting and reviewing agreements, it's crucial to demonstrate your excellent written communication skills. Use clear and concise language in your application to reflect this.

    Highlight Relevant Experience: Don’t forget to mention any previous experience you have with contract law, commercial risk management, or working with government contracts. This will help us see how you can bring value to our team.

    Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to the right people and shows your enthusiasm for joining Leonardo.

    How to prepare for a job interview at Leonardo

    ✨Know Your Contracts Inside Out

    Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the types of contracts you'll be dealing with. Brush up on your knowledge of Non-Disclosure Agreements, Software Licensing Agreements, and other relevant documents. This will help you speak confidently about your experience and how it relates to the role.

    ✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking

    Prepare examples that demonstrate your ability to provide strategic oversight on contracts and bids. Think about times when you've successfully navigated complex negotiations or developed commercial strategies that led to positive outcomes. Be ready to discuss these in detail during the interview.

    ✨Highlight Relationship-Building Skills

    Since this role involves working closely with cross-functional teams and customers, be prepared to share specific instances where you've built strong relationships. Discuss how these relationships have helped you manage stakeholder expectations and deliver value in previous roles.

    ✨Understand the Business Context

    Familiarise yourself with Leonardo's markets, products, and customers. Being able to discuss how your skills align with their business objectives will show that you're not just a fit for the role, but also for the company culture. Research recent news or developments related to Leonardo to bring up during your conversation.

    Contracts Manager
    Leonardo
    Location: Luton
    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

    L
    • Contracts Manager

      Luton
      Full-Time
      36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.)
    • L

      Leonardo

      1000-5000
    Similar positions in other companies
    UK’s top job board for Gen Z
    discover-jobs-cta
    Discover now
    >