At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead commercial activities for competitive bids and develop winning strategies.
- Company: Join a leading aerospace firm focused on digital innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, dynamic work environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Full-time role in Bristol with potential for SC security clearance.
- Why this job: Make an impact in the defence sector while working on exciting digital projects.
- Qualifications: 7+ years in commercial management, ideally with UK defence contracting experience.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
An exciting opportunity has become available to join our aerospace client on a Contract Labour basis as a Senior Commercial Manager in the Digital business unit, focusing predominantly on growth, competitive bids, and other pre-signature activities, but may also be required to support with broader contract management duties.
This role is full-time based in Bristol.
This is a non-line management role within the Digital Commercial Team, reporting to the Digital Head of Commercial.
The Digital business unit is one of 3 business units within the company, and the Digital commercial team supports a portfolio of complex contracts, mainly delivering critical digital capabilities and services to the UK Ministry of Defence, with ongoing growth activities and long-term contracted programmes.
The business growth comprises a mix of on contract change, frameworks, and new business bids, competitive tenders and proposals, across both existing and adjacent market segments.
This includes expanding support for current defence information systems and synthetic training solutions, while pursuing opportunities in emerging digital capability areas to enhance the UK Mo D’s operational effectiveness.
About the role: This is a senior-level, non-line management role within the team.
- Principal responsibilities of the role include: -
- Leading commercial activity across competitive bids, proposals and frameworks.
- Developing commercial strategies that supporting winning bids whilst protecting business interests.
- Supporting (and leading as required) with bid reviews and governance through the proposal lifecycle
- Reviewing, interpreting, drafting and negotiating terms and conditions, including those that are highly complex
- If required, comprehensive contract management and execution duties, including dealing with all arising programme ‘problems’ and seeking to resolve / mitigate
- Developing and reviewing statements of work,
- If required, leading and participating in contract change and contract tasking proposal development, negotiation and award activities
- Developing and supporting cost estimates and the determination of profit or earnings objectives,
- Performing and approving risk assessments to balance risks and opportunities,
- Reviewing and approving proposals by peers
- Reviewing and approving other agreements with outside parties,
- Fully understand, implement and adhere to client policies/procedures and ensure compliance with Corporate Policies/Procedures and all legislation, regulations and standards applicable to your contracts / proposals
- Submit offers and contractually commit the company within permitted delegated authority
- Participating in and leading internal governance, including bid/no-bid and make/buy boards, as well as establishing processes internally with the Commercial Team as well as other programmes or functions A Senior Commercial Manager is expected to have a thorough understanding of programme & financial contractual performance for contracts and you will be responsible for developing recommendations and solution as well as influencing effective decision-making to meet our business goals.
The Senior Commercial Manager will work alongside contract delivery and proposal team members and with customer counterparts and developing & maintaining respectful and effective working relationships is critical to our success.
As part of a matrix organisation the Commercial roles in programme and proposal teams are recognised as influential business partners with a proactive and diligent approach to securing successful business outcomes.
Technical expertise is required in the following areas: Contract Formation, Contract Management Systems, Contract Structure Knowledge, Negotiation, Estimating Methods, Proposal Processes, Risk & Opportunity Management, Business Case Development, understanding and application of applicable legislation, regulation and standards.
In addition, the following are key expectations of the Senior Commercial Manager in fulfilling the role -
- Responsibility for all commercial artefacts, tasks and obligations
- Strategic thinking and applying a portfolio-wide evaluation of topics and problems to ensure interdependencies and cross-programme impacts are appropriately managed
- Proactively anticipates risks and issues and raises awareness and help needed early
- Demonstrates high levels of quality in products and high levels of standards in application of commercial administrative duties
- Maintaining currency in programme environmental awareness
- Maintaining a value for money approach for our customers whilst understand business goals and objectives Preferred qualifications and experience:
- Knowledge and skilled in defence contracting and terms & conditions; drafting, interpretation and negotiating.
- Demonstrable, strong experience of commercial leadership of proposals in competitive tenders
- Strong understanding of Single Source Contract Regulations
- Strong understanding and experience with procurement regulations and government frameworks
- Excellent customer and stakeholder relationship management
- Leadership experience with complex projects and/or teams
- WCC (formerly IACCM) qualification and/or experience in associated role
- Negotiation skills
- First-time quality
- Fast and effective responsiveness in a multifaceted, complex environment
- Demonstrable experience working in a matrix organisation
- Ability to handle a diverse, fast-paced, high workload
- Able to work under supervision but with high levels of independence and recognises teamwork and collaboration as key behaviours for positive ways of working
- Experience in identifying and implementing improvement initiatives
- Effective at finding opportunities and risks and to manage them to create enhanced value for the organisation
- A positive work attitude and team building approach
- Adaptable, able to cope with changing requirements and multiple priorities and can remain effective in difficult times
- Working experience 10+ years within multinational global company environment and UK defence expertise are desirable.
- Basic Qualifications
- 7+ years experience in a commercial / contract management role, ideally in a multinational company environment
- Strong background in UK defence contracting, knowledge of SSCR and procurement regulations
- Experience in pre-signature / bidding environments Please note: This role requires the successful candidate to gain a full SC security clearance if not already held.
If you have the required experience for this position, please apply today or contact Lisa Nardiello on 01935 713323 for further information.
- Sector: Aerospace and Defence Contract type Contract
- Consultant: Lisa Nardiello
Senior Commercial Manager in Bristol employer: Morson Group
As a Senior CATIA Design Engineer, you will join a forward-thinking company that values innovation and collaboration in the aerospace sector. With a hybrid working model that promotes work-life balance and a culture of mentorship, you will have ample opportunities for professional growth while contributing to cutting-edge landing gear systems for both civil and military aircraft. Our commitment to employee development and the use of advanced technology ensures that you will thrive in a dynamic environment that prioritises excellence and teamwork.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Commercial Manager in Bristol
✨Join Aerospace Forums and Groups
Get involved in aerospace engineering forums and online communities, like the AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics). It's a great way to meet industry peers and stay updated on job openings and trends in the field.
✨Attend Industry Conferences
Keep an eye on upcoming aerospace conferences and events where you can network with professionals and showcase your interest. Events like the Farnborough International Airshow are not just about flying machines; they're a goldmine for connections and potential job leads.
✨Spotlight Your Projects
Make sure to highlight any hands-on experience or projects on your portfolio that showcase your skills in aerospace engineering. Employers love seeing practical applications of theoretical knowledge. Show us what you've got!
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
When you find companies you want to work for, head straight to their careers page to apply for full-time roles, like the one with Morson Group for a Senior Commercial Manager. This often puts your application in front of the right people faster than just waiting for job boards!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Commercial Manager in Bristol
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for the aerospace engineering role at Morson Group, make sure to highlight your technical expertise. Include specific software skills, like CAD tools or simulation software, and any relevant engineering projects you’ve worked on. This is your chance to really shine and showcase your engineering toolkit!
Don't Skip Your Projects!:Include a section in your CV dedicated to projects that demonstrate your problem-solving abilities in aerospace engineering. Whether it's a university project, an internship, or personal work, we love seeing how you’ve applied your skills in real-world scenarios. Make it clear what your role was and the impact of the project.
Show Your Passion in Your Cover Letter:At Morson Group, we're not just looking for skills – we want to know why you’re passionate about aerospace engineering. Use your cover letter to express what excites you about aviation technology and your career goals. Share any relevant experiences or inspirations that have led you to apply for this full-time position.
Tailor Your CV for Aerospace:Make sure your CV is specifically tailored to aerospace engineering. Focus on your education, any certifications, and your work experience, ensuring you highlight aspects that relate directly to the role. Don’t forget to mention any internships or apprenticeships that have given you hands-on experience.
How to prepare for a job interview at Morson Group
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Knowledge
Aerospace engineering is all about technical precision, so make sure you’re comfortable with key concepts like aerodynamics, propulsion, and materials science. We recommend going through any relevant coursework or projects you’ve worked on – these real-world examples can illustrate your understanding during the interview with Morson Group.
✨Showcase Your Projects with Confidence
Make sure to have a portfolio ready that details any significant projects you've worked on, whether it’s a group assignment or a personal endeavour. Be prepared to discuss the challenges you faced, the tools you used, like CAD software, and what you learned from the experience, as this will show your problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Technical Interviews
Expect some technical questions or even problem-solving exercises during your interview with Morson Group. Get familiar with design challenges or theoretical problems related to aerospace; this can range from calculating lift and drag forces to materials selection under stress. Practising these can help you feel more at ease when faced with tricky questions.
✨Emphasise Your Passion and Teamwork Skills
As a full-time candidate, it’s crucial to convey your passion for aerospace engineering and your ability to work in teams. Highlight any group projects or internships you've done, focusing on how you collaborated with others to achieve a goal. Companies like Morson Group love seeing candidates who not only have technical skills but also fit well within their team culture.
