At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead contract management and strategy for exciting projects that protect the Royal Navy.
- Company: Join Thales, a global tech leader with a mission to build a secure future.
- Benefits: Enjoy private medical insurance, annual bonuses, and flexible working arrangements.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with opportunities for professional growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in defence while growing your career in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in contract management and strong commercial skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
Location: Manor Royal Crawley, United Kingdom
Thales is a global technology leader with more than 83,000 employees on five continents. With over 7,500 people in the UK, operating across defence, space, aerospace, and digital security, we help build a future we can all trust. Thales supports the security and stability of our nation by providing extraordinary technology to our customers, as well as delivering social value to the UK with our products and services.
Hours: Full time or part time (32+ hours per week)
Location: Crawley (hybrid working arrangement – 3 days per week in the office pro rata)
What the role has to offer:
This role offers an exciting opportunity to join the growing business and be part of a highly professional Commercial team within the Underwater Systems (UWS) business based in Crawley. The UWS business is growing at a rapid pace, with plenty of opportunities for challenge and professional growth working in a part of the business where what we do matters and protects the Royal Navy and our allies at sea. Our customer base is the UK Ministry of Defence and well-known prime contractors.
The Senior Contracts Manager will be a key part of the project and bid organisations and will represent the function in an integrated manner within the respective teams within this role.
Key tasks / Responsibilities
- Strategic: Responsible for providing support to the Head of Contracts ASW in the definition and implementation of the Commercial strategy in the area of responsibility; Responsible for ensuring commercial considerations are within the Thales DNA across Capture, Bid and Delivery for area of responsibility; Establishes and owns customer commercial relationship with applicable customers; Responsible for defining the level of acceptable commercial risk for opportunities, providing robust justification.
- Tactical: Responsible for formal communication with the Customer and will be the commercial point of contact for area of responsibility; Responsible for ensuring adherence to Contracts and providing effective Contract Management; Reviewer of key artefacts as part of bid, capture and delivery teams; Manage all contractual aspects within an assigned sector with due regard to Compliance, Governance, Group-wide actions, Agreements (cooperation and strategic), Contracts; Provides customer perspective and commercial environment understanding to internal stakeholders; Proposes contract negotiation strategy and delivers contract negotiation; Support and participate in the business strategy, liaise with customers for all communication following ITT, RFP, ITN, review and provide proactive business support in the winning of bids and thus prepare winning commercial proposals/quotations, including but not limited to: draft contract commentary, input to bid risk assessments and commercial and pricing strategy; Ensure a robust contractual baseline is established and maintained including the active management of contractual change and contract amendments; Provide guidance on compliance with terms and conditions identifying flow down terms and risk by supporting the negotiation of major subcontracts; Identifying potential liabilities and disputes and support the development of appropriate mitigation plans.
About you:
- Proven experience working as a Contracts Manager with commercial SQEP skillset, behaviours that will ensure commercial robustness throughout all contract life cycle phases, and the ability to identify, plan and deliver tactical commercial elements.
- Experience managing Contracts and Bids over the contract life cycle from prospects, bidding to negotiation, contract award and contract closure.
- Experience managing challenging customers, working as a team player within integrated bid and project teams, with accountability for performance.
- Experience managing high-value bids that require a strong commercial presence.
Benefits:
- Private medical insurance
- Buying or selling annual leave
- Cycle to work schemes
- Employee discounts
- Paid volunteering day
- Stocks and shares
- Annual bonus
- And much more depending on the role
At Thales, we ensure equal opportunities, pay and working conditions for all.
Senior Contracts Manager: Thales in Crawley employer: Manor Royal Business District
Thales is an exceptional employer located in Crawley, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters professional growth and innovation within the defence and technology sectors. With a strong commitment to employee well-being, Thales provides a range of benefits including private medical insurance, flexible working arrangements, and opportunities for paid volunteering, all while contributing to vital national security efforts. Join a collaborative team where your contributions directly impact the safety of our nation and enjoy a culture that values diversity and equal opportunities.
Contact Details:
Manor Royal Business District Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Contracts Manager: Thales in Crawley
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former Thales employees on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give us insider info about the company culture and maybe even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching Thales' recent projects and their impact on the UK Ministry of Defence. We want to show that we’re not just interested in the role, but also in how we can contribute to their mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice common interview questions related to contract management and negotiation strategies. We need to be ready to showcase our experience and how it aligns with Thales' needs.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we can track our progress and stay updated on any new opportunities.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Contracts Manager: Thales in Crawley
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Contracts Manager role. Highlight your experience in managing contracts and bids, and don’t forget to showcase your commercial skills that align with what Thales is looking for.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re the perfect fit for the role. Mention specific experiences that demonstrate your ability to manage high-value bids and your understanding of the commercial landscape.
Showcase Your Team Spirit:Thales values teamwork, so make sure to highlight your experience working within integrated bid and project teams. Share examples of how you’ve collaborated with others to achieve successful outcomes in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smooth application process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves, and we can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at Manor Royal Business District
✨Know Your Contracts Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the specifics of contract management, especially in relation to defence and aerospace. Brush up on key terms, compliance issues, and negotiation strategies that are relevant to Thales and their customer base.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
Prepare examples that demonstrate your ability to define and implement commercial strategies. Think about how you've managed risks in previous roles and be ready to discuss how you can apply that experience to support Thales' objectives.
✨Understand the Customer Landscape
Familiarise yourself with Thales' customers, particularly the UK Ministry of Defence and other prime contractors. Be prepared to discuss how you would establish and maintain strong commercial relationships with these stakeholders.
✨Demonstrate Team Collaboration Skills
Highlight your experience working within integrated teams, especially in high-pressure environments. Share specific instances where you’ve successfully collaborated with bid and project teams to achieve common goals, as this is crucial for the role.
