Commercial Manager in Bristol

Job Summary: As Commercial Manager, you'll take on a senior, high-impact position at the heart of our management team, shaping business strategy through insightful planning, reporting and review. Reporting to the Managing Director, you'll take ownership of the full commercial contract lifecycle, from drafting and negotiating to managing customer and supplier agreements across bid, delivery and support. You'll be the driving force behind risk assessment and governance, ensuring every deal is built on solid commercial foundations. Beyond core contracts, you'll manage a variety of agreements including NDAs, licences and teaming arrangements, while playing a key role in shaping engagement models and safeguarding commercial integrity across every project we deliver. This role also offers real ownership: you'll lead on aspects of statutory compliance, including data protection, and take the reins on setting and delivering our social value strategy. You'll be the trusted link between the business and the Modaxo Group Legal team, making sure our commercial and legal interests are always aligned.

Responsibilities:

• Contract drafting, review, risk assessment and approval, in conjunction with Group Legal.
• Accountable for overseeing all contracts entered into by the company.
• Customer contract management, in conjunction with Delivery.
• Customer contract negotiation, in conjunction with Sales.
• Supplier contract negotiation and management in conjunction with Supply Chain.
• Apply and negotiate Contract Change Notes including, where applicable, terminations, to maximise the commercial benefit for the company.
• Work with Finance to ensure operational compliance with statutory financial obligations.
• Ensure the correct application of the Authorisations Matrix (delegation of authority) within the business, and the application of the commercial aspects of the gate review process.
• Develop and maintain appropriate standard agreements, such as Standard Terms and Conditions of Purchase and Supply, Service Level Agreements, Licence Agreements, etc.
• Advise the rest of the management team on legislation, including Public Procurement and the Procurement Act 2023, as it applies to the operation of the business and with other teams to ensure that operations are optimised and compliance is maintained.
• Act as primary point of contact for Group legal, and primary user on behalf of Intelliscape of the Group contracts management system (CMS). Maintain registers of legal and contractual obligations, such as Exports, Intellectual Property, Contracts and Agreements, either in the Group CMS or locally.
• Develop and apply the Social Value strategy; and ensure and report on compliance with Social Value commitments made.
• Inform and advise the management team and employees about their obligations to comply with the UK GDPR and other data protection laws and keep under review the validity of the decision not to appoint a DPO.
• Oversee the data protection approach and work with the IT Manager on strategy and implementation and conduct DPIAs as applicable. Record, assess and manage any data breaches and where appropriate report them to the ICO.
• Consult external advisory bodies on specific matters of legal and contractual best practice.
• Actively engage in bids and tender responses, authoring and/or reviewing commercial content, as applicable.
• Provide commercial input to risk assessments and pricing strategy.
• Negotiate and agree Collaboration Agreements (Non-Disclosure Agreements, Teaming Agreements, Royalty/ IP Licence Agreements, etc.).
• Support the development of ITT packs to prospective subcontractors.
• Maintain & develop commercial and contractual skills and knowledge.
• Provide contract advice to management team, project and bid managers.
• Assess commercial risks and develop plans to reduce risk and increase productivity.
• Act as commercial process owner and engage proactively in maintenance and review of commercial processes, policies and practices and identify opportunities for continuous improvement across all commercial activities.
• Oversee despatch, shipping, export compliance and insurance requirements for contractual deliveries/loan items.
• Provide commercial induction, refresher training and communication of commercial best practice to fellow employees.
• Provide commercial review and governance at all applicable business process phase gates, including sales order processing. To include attendance at review meetings, processing customer purchase orders, and maintaining accurate records in live trackers.
• Establish and maintain a thorough knowledge of Intelliscape’s key contracts, in particular its Framework Agreements, and act as an authority to the business on their optimal use.
• Manage monthly Government Commercial Agency (GCA), formerly known as Crown Commercial Services (CCS), Management Information reporting, ensuring accurate financial data alignment and timely submission in line with framework requirements.
• Maintain key commercial trackers (e.g. warranty obligations, contract expiry, contract variations etc.) and develop supporting documentation such as Contract Management Plans and Commercial Risk Summaries which can be utilised by internal stakeholders.
• Manage Social Value reporting, ensuring accurate data input and timely submission in line with contract requirements.
• Liaise closely with Sales, Finance, and Delivery teams to ensure visibility of current and future commercial support activities across bid and delivery.
• Lead on all matters relating to export, including where applicable Export Control/ITAR and customs procedures.
• Perform line management duties such as objective setting, pastoral care, professional development, and performance and behaviour management, if required.
• Contribute to and ensure adherence with Modaxo strategy and policy through participation of the applicable Modaxo-wide forums.

Person Specification:

• Educated to Bachelor's degree level, or equivalent experience. Hold or working towards professional qualifications/memberships applicable to the role.
• Experienced in working in/with Public Sector, ideally with knowledge of Local Government procurement.
• Previous experience of software, including Software as a Service, licencing and intellectual property rights.
• Previous experience in road/rail transport type environment would be beneficial.
• Understanding of Government Commercial Agency (formerly Crown Commercial Services) and similar procurement frameworks.
• Have a working knowledge of UK GDPR and DPA, Public Services (Social Value) Act, Procurement Act 2023, Freedom of Information Act 2000 and capable of identifying, understanding and interpreting other legislation as it applies to the business, such as the Road Traffic Act, Transport Act, Traffic Management Act and supporting regulations.
• Expert within methods of contracting and commercial terms and conditions.
• Experience in delivering commercial sales transactions, negotiation, bid preparation.
• Previous line management experience beneficial.

Personal Characteristics:

• Strong negotiation skills. Ability to identify strategies to deliver optimal outcomes for the company, and a willingness and tenacity to drive them through to success.
• Strong critical thinking and decision-making skills, with a good attention to detail and head for both legalese and finances.
• A collaborative team player with exceptional interpersonal skills and ability to build strong business relationships with a wide range of internal and external personnel.
• Assertive, with confidence in putting forward ideas, knowledge and experience within own expertise to colleagues of all disciplines and seniorities.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary of £45k-£55k DOE.
• Hybrid/flexible working arrangements.
• 25 days’ annual leave, plus bank holidays.
• Holiday buy and sell scheme.
• Up to 16 days flexi leave accrual a year.
• Half day Fridays.
• Reservists in the Armed Forces receive special paid leave.
• Private medical health insurance & Employee Assistance Program.
• Life assurance policy.
• All Staff Discretionary Bonus.
• Group Pension Plan of up to 5% employer contribution.
• Electric vehicle charging.
• Sports & Social activities.
• Publication and recruitment bonus rewards.
• Professional development opportunities.
• Onsite showers.
• Free onsite parking.