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- Tasks: Drive commercial growth through strategic partnerships and contract management in aerospace and defence.
- Company: Join a fast-growing aerospace and defence tech company known for innovation.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, competitive salary, and the chance to work on cutting-edge projects.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with excellent opportunities for career growth and collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on high-value defence programmes and innovative technology.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in Defence or Aerospace, strong communication, and contract management skills.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
An opportunity to join one of Europe’s fastest-growing aerospace and defence technology businesses, developing advanced unmanned and autonomous systems used across some of the world’s most demanding operational environments. The organisation is recognised for combining proprietary hardware, software, and AI-driven intelligence solutions to support critical missions across defence, maritime surveillance, security, and space operations. With significant growth across international markets, they are continuing to scale their commercial function to support increasingly complex programmes and strategic partnerships.
You would be joining a dynamic, highly collaborative environment where innovation moves quickly, decisions are impactful, and teams work closely together to deliver cutting-edge technology with real-world applications. This role is centred around driving commercial growth through strategic partnerships, contract management, and market expansion across complex defence and aerospace programmes.
You will be responsible for managing the full contract lifecycle, supporting commercial activities across bids, pricing, negotiations, execution, and close-out. Working closely with engineering, operations, finance, legal, and production teams, you will help transform innovative technologies into scalable commercial success.
Key Responsibilities- Manage the full contract lifecycle including bid support, contract negotiation, award, execution, variation, and close-out
- Support pricing activities including pricing models and cost build-ups
- Work across sourcing, procurement, and contract management activities
- Ensure compliance with Defence and Public Sector commercial frameworks and regulations
- Support the management of commercial risks, claims, disputes, and change control processes
- Collaborate with internal stakeholders across engineering, production, operations, finance, legal, and commercial teams
- Assist in the development of strategic partnerships and commercial growth opportunities
- Maintain strong attention to detail across contractual documentation and reporting
- Support export control awareness activities including ITAR and EAR considerations where applicable
- Minimum 3 years’ experience within Defence, Aerospace, or the Public Sector
- Experience managing end-to-end procurement and contract management activities
- Familiarity with Procurement Act 2023, Single Source Contract Regulations (SSCR), DEFCONs, and DEFSTANs
- Good understanding of contract structures including Firm Price, Cost Plus/Cost Reimbursable, and Framework Agreements
- Experience handling change control, claims, disputes, and commercial risk management
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills
- Strong organisational and time-management abilities
- High attention to detail and accuracy
- Advanced English proficiency at C2 level
- Ideally holds SC Clearance or is willing to obtain it
- MCIPS qualification or equivalent is advantageous but not essential
This is an opportunity to join one of Europe’s most exciting unmanned technology businesses at a pivotal stage of growth. You will work on complex, high-value defence programmes with genuine influence across commercial strategy and contract delivery. The role offers strong exposure to cutting-edge aerospace projects, cross-functional collaboration, and the chance to play a key part in scaling innovative technology within highly regulated global markets.
Commercial Manager in Bristol employer: Piper Maddox
Contact Detail:
Piper Maddox Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Manager in Bristol
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the aerospace and defence sectors. Attend industry events, join relevant online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know!
✨Showcase Your Skills
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your experience in contract management and procurement. Use specific examples from your past roles to demonstrate how you’ve driven commercial growth and managed complex projects. We want to see that you can bring real value to the table!
✨Prepare for Interviews
Do your homework on the company and its projects before the interview. Understand their products and how they fit into the defence landscape. We recommend preparing some thoughtful questions that show your interest in their strategic partnerships and commercial growth opportunities.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply directly through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged in the process. Let’s get you on board!
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Manager in Bristol
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Commercial Manager role. Highlight your experience in contract management and procurement, and don’t forget to mention any relevant projects you've worked on in the defence or aerospace sectors.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about the role and how your skills align with our needs. Be specific about your experience with strategic partnerships and commercial growth.
Showcase Your Attention to Detail: Given the importance of accuracy in this role, make sure your application is free from typos and errors. A well-organised application reflects your attention to detail, which is crucial for managing contracts and compliance.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of success. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Piper Maddox
✨Know Your Contracts
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of contract management and procurement processes. Familiarise yourself with key terms like Firm Price, Cost Plus, and the relevant regulations such as the Procurement Act 2023. This will show that you’re not just a fit for the role but also genuinely interested in the complexities of the industry.
✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully collaborated with various teams in previous roles. Highlight your communication and stakeholder management skills, as these are crucial for driving commercial growth and managing relationships across engineering, finance, and legal teams.
✨Demonstrate Attention to Detail
Since this role requires a high level of accuracy in contractual documentation, be ready to discuss how you ensure precision in your work. Bring along examples of past projects where your attention to detail made a significant impact, especially in contract negotiations or compliance.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect to face scenario-based questions that test your problem-solving abilities in commercial risk management and change control. Think about past challenges you've faced and how you navigated them, as this will help you demonstrate your practical experience and strategic thinking.