At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead contract management and ensure successful delivery across defence and national security projects.
- Company: Join Ocean Infinity, a tech-driven company transforming operations at sea.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a team that values innovation, safety, and environmental responsibility.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while working with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: Experience in contract management within regulated industries and strong negotiation skills.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
We are using and creating technology to transform operations at sea to enable people and the planet to thrive. We are open-minded and fearless in our approach to innovation and don't believe in boundaries. We challenge everything and have massive ambitions to drag aging industries into the tech era. We take safety, equality and education very seriously, and our responsibilities don't stop at our front door. Our business is built on the belief that there's definitely a more environmentally responsible way to operate at sea. We employ people who share our core values. We expect our people to be courageous, trustworthy, and conscientious, driven by a desire to do the right thing. We strive for excellence, work collaboratively, and are genuinely excited by our work. We offer opportunities for our people to develop beyond their role and span a multitude of disciplines. These are open to all, regardless of background and experience level. Working with us means being part of a team that is harnessing technology and creativity to disrupt a traditional industry. We are not your average workplace.
The Contract Manager is accountable for leading the commercial and contractual framework that underpins successful delivery across Ocean Infinity Solutions UK defence and national security portfolio. The role provides strategic ownership and delivery of customer, subcontractor, supplier, and partner contractual arrangements, ensuring robust governance, effective risk management, and disciplined execution across multiple parallel programmes of record.
- Effective day-to-day commercial and contractual management of contracts between Ocean Infinity and our Defence and National Security customers, together with our associated contracts with subcontractors, suppliers, and delivery partners.
- Development of flow down contracts and support to negotiations with the MOD to agree head contracts setting flow down conditions; this may include leading engagement with external counsel.
- Ensures contractual compliance, commercial governance, risk mitigation, supplier performance management, and successful contract delivery across our first UK programme of record and develop processes to enable repeated performance of the same in new PoRs.
- Developing licensing frameworks, packaging and protections that support Ocean Infinity's product leverage, margin, and international growth as we scale into adjacent markets based on delivery excellence in home markets.
This role acts as the primary commercial authority for contract lifecycle management, from head contract negotiation and flow-down structuring through to performance management, change control, compliance, and close-out. Working across programme, engineering, procurement, finance, legal, and operational teams, the Contract Manager enables the organisation to scale with confidence by establishing the contractual discipline, commercial mechanisms, and partnering structures required to deliver complex commitments reliably and compliantly.
The successful candidate will bring the judgement and experience to operate credibly in regulated defence environments, shape commercial approaches that protect value and enable growth, and ensure Ocean Infinity is positioned to meet the demands of an expanding portfolio through strong accountability, clear decision-making, and consistent delivery performance.
Key Responsibilities- MOD Contract Management
- Lead commercial and contractual delivery across MOD customer contracts.
- Own contractual obligations, milestones, reporting, and compliance across multiple programmes.
- Lead customer engagement, change control, and contract governance to support delivery and resolve issues early.
- Manage contractual risk, compliance, formal correspondence, and audit-ready records.
- Negotiate amendments, claims, and variations while protecting delivery and commercial value.
- Licensing, IP & Productisation
- Develop scalable licensing strategies for software, data, platforms, and service models.
- Protect IP ownership, usage rights, and exploitation across customer and partner arrangements.
- Work with Engineering, Legal, Product, and Programmes to convert outputs into productised offerings.
- Establish templates and playbooks that support repeatable commercial growth.
- Subcontractor & Supplier Contract Management
- Lead the contractual management of subcontractors, suppliers, and delivery partners.
- Ensure agreements reflect customer flow-downs, risk allocation, and performance obligations.
- Establish supplier governance that provides visibility of delivery, quality, security, and commercial performance.
- Support negotiations, issue resolution, and corrective action to protect programme outcomes.
- Commercial & Financial Responsibilities
- Provide commercial leadership into programme planning, forecasting, and budget management.
- Assess the commercial impact of change, delay, risk, and technical variation.
- Support pricing, proposals, invoicing, and milestone governance to protect value and cash.
- Drive margin protection and contribute to product and portfolio growth decisions.
- Governance, Compliance & Risk Management
- Lead contractual governance in line with company policy, delegated authority, and legal requirements.
- Support audits and maintain an audit-ready approach to contracts, procurement, and defence compliance.
- Translate MOD regulations and industry standards into practical commercial controls and guidance.
- Proven experience in contract management within defence, maritime, aerospace, engineering, or highly regulated industries.
- Demonstrated experience developing or supporting licensing models and productisation or commercialisation strategies.
- Experience managing contracts with the UK MOD or prime defence contractors.
- Strong understanding of commercial and contractual principles.
- Experience managing subcontractor and supplier agreements.
- Knowledge of MOD contractual frameworks, DEFCONs, and defence procurement processes.
- Strong negotiation, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to interpret complex contractual documentation.
- Experience managing contract changes, variations, and risk.
- Experience within maritime technology, naval systems, or defence electronics sectors.
- Familiarity with Single Source Contract Regulations (SSCR), Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations (DSPCR), NEC or JCT contract forms, export control and ITAR/EAR considerations.
- Experience supporting bids, proposals and commercial models.
- Understanding of programme management methodologies.
- Degree qualified in Business, Law, Engineering, Commercial Management, or related discipline, or equivalent relevant experience.
- Professional contract or commercial management qualifications desirable.
- Highly organised and detail-oriented.
- Strong commercial judgement.
- Proactive and solutions-focused.
- Able to work independently and collaboratively.
- Entrepreneurial mindset with focus on value creation and scalability.
- Strong interpersonal and influencing skills.
- Comfortable operating in fast-paced and highly regulated environments.
- High level of integrity and professionalism.
- Growth mindset, and readiness to ‘roll-up the sleeves’ to get things done in a high accountability, flat organisation with scope for growth for high performing, high potential candidates.
At Ocean Infinity, we believe in creating equal opportunities for all, celebrating each and everyone’s differences. We are driven by transforming the industry, through our technology, thoughts, behaviours and actions. Being inclusive and respectful to all is fundamental to who we are. It is the right thing to do and enables innovation and creativity to thrive. There is more work to be done, and we know that we aren’t perfect, but our commitment to these values is unwavering. They are central to our mission and the impact we have on the industry, meaning, we cannot live without them.
Contract Manager in Southampton employer: Ocean Infinity Group
Ocean Infinity is an exceptional employer that champions innovation and inclusivity, offering a dynamic work culture where employees are encouraged to challenge the status quo and contribute to meaningful change in the maritime industry. Located in Southampton, this hybrid role provides opportunities for professional growth across various disciplines, ensuring that all team members can thrive while working collaboratively on cutting-edge technology that prioritises environmental responsibility and operational excellence.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Contract Manager in Southampton
✨Join Compliance Communities
Get involved in compliance and risk communities — both online and offline. Look for forums, LinkedIn groups, or even local meetups where compliance pros hang out. You never know who might drop a job opportunity your way!
✨Attend Industry Conferences
Keep an eye out for compliance and risk management conferences and workshops in your area. These events are a goldmine for networking, and they often have job boards or recruiters on-site looking for new talent. Plus, it’s a chance to learn what's trending in the field.
✨Leverage Your University Career Services
If you’ve recently graduated or are still studying, head over to your university's career services. Many companies, including those in compliance, actively recruit fresh talent through these services, so make sure you tap into that resource.
✨Showcase Your Knowledge Online
Start writing articles or blog posts about compliance topics that interest you. Share them on platforms like LinkedIn to demonstrate your knowledge and passion. This not only builds your presence in the field but can also catch the attention of companies like Ocean Infinity Group looking for candidates who are engaged and informed.
We think you need these skills to ace Contract Manager in Southampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Understanding of Compliance:In the compliance-risk field, it's super important to showcase your understanding of regulations and risk management frameworks. Highlight any relevant coursework, certifications (like ICA or AML), or even projects that demonstrate your knowledge and commitment to this area. We want to see how you can navigate this complex landscape!
Quantify Your Achievements:When detailing your experience, try to quantify your achievements. For example, if you've previously worked on a project that improved compliance metrics or reduced risk exposure, give us the numbers! This data-driven approach really stands out to hiring managers in compliance-risk roles.
Tailor Your CV to Reflect Relevant Skills:Make sure your CV highlights skills that are particularly relevant to compliance, like attention to detail, analytical thinking, and report writing. Ensure these are easy to spot – consider using bullet points to break down your responsibilities and achievements for maximum impact!
Craft a Motivating Cover Letter:In your cover letter, let us know why you’re excited about the compliance-risk role at Ocean Infinity Group. Share what motivates you about compliance, and how you believe you can contribute to our mission. This is your chance to showcase not only your skills but also your passion for this important field!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ocean Infinity Group
✨Master the Regulations
Brush up on key compliance regulations relevant to the industry you're applying to. Familiarising yourself with specific laws and frameworks used in your field will give you an edge during technical questions. Show that you’re not just aware of them but can also apply them—think real-life scenarios!
✨Show Your Analytical Skills
Compliance roles really focus on analytical skills, so be prepared for case studies or situational questions during the interview. We've got to demonstrate how we approach risk assessments or compliance audits, possibly drawing on examples from past experiences or university projects. Bring some thoughtful case scenarios to discuss!
✨Know Your Tools
Get comfortable with commonly used compliance software and tools. Familiarity with platforms like RSA or MetricStream can really impress during your interview, as it shows you're ready to hit the ground running. If you’ve had any experience with them, make sure to highlight that!
✨Align with Company Culture
Since it's a full-time position, show your long-term commitment and interest in the company’s mission and values. Dive into how your ethics and professional philosophy align with Ocean Infinity Group’s stance on compliance. A shared vision can really resonate with interviewers looking for fit as much as skill!
