At a Glance
- Tasks: Support contract management and negotiation in a dynamic defence environment.
- Company: Join Raytheon UK, a leader in defence and aerospace technology.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, pension scheme, flexible working, and generous holiday allowance.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with opportunities for volunteering and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in national security while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Degree or equivalent experience in contracts, strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Date Posted: 2026-06-12
Country: United Kingdom
Location: Harlow, Essex
Position Role Type: Hybrid
Benefits:
- Competitive salary
- Contributory Pension Scheme (up to 10.5% company contribution)
- 6 times salary ‘Life Assurance’ with pension
- 25 days holiday (increasing with service) + statutory public holidays, plus opportunity to buy and sell up to 5 days (37hr)
- Company bonus scheme (discretionary)
- Flexible Benefits scheme with extensive salary sacrifice schemes, including Health Cashplan, Dental, and Cycle to Work amongst others
- Enhanced sick pay
- Enhanced family friendly policies including enhanced maternity, paternity & shared parental leave
Work Culture:
- 37hr working week, although hours may vary depending on role, job requirement or site-specific arrangements.
- Early 1.30pm finish Friday, start your weekend early!
- Remote, hybrid and site based working opportunities, dependant on your needs and the requirements of the role.
- Up to 5 paid days volunteering each year.
- Flexible working culture focused on output, with more formal flexible working arrangements on request (assessed subject to role).
About us:
At Raytheon UK, we take immense pride in being a leader in defence and aerospace technology. As an employer, we are dedicated to fuelling innovation, nurturing talent, and fostering a culture of excellence. Joining our team means being part of an organisation that shapes the future of national security whilst investing in your growth and personal development. We provide a collaborative environment, abundant opportunities for professional development, and a profound sense of purpose in what we do.
Our Business:
As a leading defence and aerospace company operating across the United Kingdom, Raytheon UK helps to solve our customers’ toughest challenges. We are a major supplier to the UK government and customers around the globe, providing defence solutions across all domains: land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace. We also provide digital and training transformation solutions to commercial and military customers.
With circa 2000 employees and major facilities operating throughout the UK including Broughton (Wales), Livingston and Glenrothes (Scotland), and Harlow, Gloucester, and Manchester (England); we are committed to investing in British careers and technology development.
Role & Responsibilities:
As a highly valued contracts and commercial specialist you are expected to be a business enabler, supporting both the winning and subsequent delivery of a profitable business. You will provide contractual and commercial governance and advice to the bid and project teams as the subject matter expert in your contracting area, support multiple contracts and provide flexibility as the business requires. This hybrid role supports our operations in Glenrothes, Harlow and Livingston. Team members typically attend their home site once or twice per week and are expected to travel to other sites occasionally.
Main Duties:
- Provide full contractual and commercial support to development, approval and issuance of bids and proposals, whether in response to RFP/ITN etc or as part of the company strategy.
- Identify any commercial risk, provide input to the overall risk plan and implement effective risk mitigation.
- Lead in the negotiation of contracts.
- Manage new and existing contracts effectively, including all contract change control and support to the other functions, including contract flow-downs.
- Resolve all commercial issues promptly and effectively.
- Manage the financial aspects of the contract, including forecasting and milestone plans (including timely claim submission).
- Be the commercial face of the organisation to the customer, as the day to day contact and subject matter expert.
- Assure the successful completion, closedown and archive of contracts.
- Be the champion of change and improvement.
Candidate Requirements:
Essential:
- Relevant degree or equivalent experience.
- Experience in reviewing and drafting contractual documents.
- Strong commercial awareness, business principles and governing law.
- Experience of commercial risk management.
- An ability to respond to tasks with tenacity and flexibility, whilst working cross functionally in a multi-disciplinary team.
- Strong communicator and relationship builder with both internal and external customers.
- An ability to remain calm under pressure and collaborate with others.
- Positive, self-motivated and the ability to work independently.
- A willingness and ability to travel occasionally.
Desirable:
- Previous experience of contracting in the Defence sector.
- Accreditation in Commercial and Supply Chain management.
- Eligible to obtain security clearance (SC) beyond baseline personnel security standard (BPSS).
- Basic programme management skill set – Risk Management/Programme Gating/ Metrics.
- Strong record of problem solving and dispute resolution.
- Experience of working with international suppliers or customers.
- Experience of Financial Management.
- Awareness of Data Protection and other relevant commercial and contract legislation.
- Familiarity with business process management tools (IPDS, SAP or similar) and the competitive bidding process.
Raytheon adheres to the principles of equal employment. All qualified applications will be given careful consideration without regard to ethnicity, colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation or identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.
Contracts Specialist in Harlow employer: RTX
At Raytheon UK, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic hybrid work environment in Harlow that fosters innovation and personal growth. Our commitment to employee well-being is reflected in our competitive salary, generous benefits package, and a flexible working culture that prioritises work-life balance, including early finishes on Fridays and opportunities for volunteering. Join us to be part of a collaborative team dedicated to shaping the future of national security while advancing your career in a meaningful way.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Contracts Specialist in Harlow
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
✨Connect on Professional Platforms
Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like RTX. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Contracts Specialist in Harlow
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to RTX.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on RTX's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at RTX
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with RTX.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at RTX will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former RTX employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
