Contracts Manager Commercial · Guildford

This is an exciting opportunity to work in a pioneering space company leading the Contracts department. You will be an effective and confident communicator from both a written and verbal perspective with excellent analytical skills and enjoy leading a small team.

About SSTL: Considered the pioneers of the small satellite market, and with a heritage that spans over 40 years, SSTL prides itself in continual innovation and improvement of space technologies, products and services, as well as in delivering space missions for a broad array of applications. Since 1981, SSTL has had a unique position in the global space industry – delivering comprehensive multi‑year, hands‑on training programmes all around the world. As a result of SSTL training programmes space agencies have been formed in 6 space‑developing nations and flourishing space ecosystems have been established.

Key Tasks

• Organisation: day‑to‑day operations, organising, supporting and sharing in the team’s work and goals.
• Contractual: The team’s preparation, negotiation and management of all SSTL contractual commitments relating to projects and new business from acquisition of project to contract closure.
• Team Building: encouraging and motivating the team; team player mentality.
• Mentoring & Coaching: provide coaching, training, and mentoring where applicable. Leading by example. Providing a clear vision for the team.

Previous Experience

Essential:

• Demonstrated proven experience within the contractual field.
• Previous experience leading and working within a team with the ability to mentor and develop colleagues.
• In depth knowledge of contracts principles, drafting and interpretation.
• Experience of identifying contractual risk and proposing effective mitigation strategies.
• Managing high value and complex proposals and contracts in the UK and for export.
• Negotiating high value contracts and amendments.
• Drafting and negotiating a wide variety of contractual documents such as NDAs, Licence Agreements, Heads of Agreement, Teaming Agreements, Memorandum of Understanding etc.
• Space contracting, including European Space Agency (ESA).
• UK MOD contracting on a range of proposals and contracts, including single source contracts and implementing the Single Source Contracting Regulations on those contracts.

This job requires an awareness of any potential compliance risks and a commitment to act with integrity, as the foundation for SSTL’s success, reputation and sustainable growth.

Desirable:

• Educated to Degree level.
• Space industry experience, including European Space Agency (ESA), UKSA funding (CEOI, NSIP).
• UK MOD contracting on a range of proposals and contracts, including single source contracts and implementing the Single Source Contracting Regulations on those contracts.
• Experience in US Department of Defence contracting.

Qualifications Knowledge & Skills

• Excellent inter‑personal and communication skills, able to influence, persuade and negotiate with people at all levels (externally & internally) as well as to assist in reaching compromises when there are conflicting requirements.
• High degree of organisation, self‑motivation and initiative.
• Good team working skills, together with the ability to interface with others at all levels.
• Good presentation skills and customer facing skills.
• Results orientated with a strong drive to deliver.
• Flexible and adaptable to changing priorities.
• Pro‑active and able to take initiative.
• Excellent planning and organising skills.
• Highly organised with clear communication skills.
• Ability to work simultaneously on a variety of projects.
• Able to work autonomously and using own initiative.
• Excellent inter‑personal skills – both written and oral communications; ability to interface with customers and technical representatives.
• Decision making and creative problem solving skills.
• Ability to multi‑task and deliver both immediate and longer term tasks.
• Proven ability to deliver solutions under pressure and to tight timescales.
• Good knowledge of MS Office Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Microsoft Project.
• Able to demonstrate company mindsets and behaviours; Be accountable, Drive & delivery, Communicate effectively, Self‑manage effectively, Work as one team.

Location

The role is based in our Head Office in Guildford reporting to the Finance Director with 2 direct reports. Initially on‑site full time for the first 6 months. Subsequent Hybrid working would be in accordance with SSTL’s Hybrid Working policy.

Benefits

Our comprehensive benefits package includes 32 days Holiday plus Bank Holidays, Pension Scheme with Life Assurance, Private Medical & International Travel Insurance, Annual Bonus Scheme, Share Incentive Plan, Enhanced Maternity, Paternity & Shared Parental Pay for new parents, High Street Discount Scheme and many more!