Senior Contracts / Commercial Manager in Belfast

Manage large-scale planned works and refurbishment contracts across multiple sites, operational teams, and subcontractors. Lead high-performing teams, oversee procurement and supply chain engagement, monitor commercial and operational performance, and maintain strong client and stakeholder relationships. Use performance data and project tracking systems to inform decisions, ensure compliance with health and safety legislation, and deliver projects successfully. The role requires travel between sites and experience with refurbishment main contractors, with social housing or property services experience, commercial contract strategy and negotiation for OEM programs, advising on international transactions, export/import compliance, claims defense, and acquisition due diligence.

Develop policies, train program teams, collaborate cross-functionally (law, tax, trade compliance), and support global customers. Provide on-call support across time zones and occasional international/domestic commercial management across the full contract lifecycle for nuclear new build and SMR projects. Manage contract administration, change control, compensation events and claims under NEC, develop procurement and claims-avoidance strategies, manage supplier interfaces, commercial risk/opportunity, reporting, and support dispute resolution and bid pricing.

Top Skills: NEC Contracts, NEC3, NEC4

Location: Belfast, United Kingdom

Thales is a global technology leader with more than 83,000 employees on five continents. With over 7,500 people in the UK, operating across defence, space, aerospace, and digital security, we help build a future we can all trust. Thales supports the security and stability of our nation by providing extraordinary technology to our customers, as well as delivering social value to the UK with our products and services.

Hybrid working arrangement: We are seeking an experienced Senior Contracts Manager to provide expert commercial and contractual leadership across bids and contract delivery within IAS UK. This role is critical to enabling the business to win new work, negotiate robust contracts and manage contractual risk throughout the delivery lifecycle. You will work closely with bid, project and operational teams, acting as a trusted advisor on commercial strategy while ensuring obligations are met and opportunities maximised.

Core Benefits: On offer is a competitive salary and benefits package, which includes; Performance-related bonus, Half day every Friday, usually finishing around 13:00, 28 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) plus opportunity to buy up to 40 hours/year (pro rata), 24 hours volunteering paid for, Private healthcare (grade dependent), Pension scheme, Life cover, 24/7 Employee Assistance Program and access to mental wellbeing app, Employee discount shopping schemes on major brands and retailers, Gym membership discounts.

Main Responsibilities: Lead contractual input across bids and projects, supporting negotiation strategy and contract formation. Provide expert commercial advice on terms and conditions, risks, liabilities and opportunities. Manage change control, claims and disputes, working with legal and senior stakeholders to protect business interests. Oversee financial instruments such as Letters of Credit, bank guarantees and other trade finance arrangements. Drive compliance with contract governance, processes and delegation of authority requirements.

Ideal Experience & Skills: Strong background in contract and commercial management, ideally within complex or regulated environments. Proven experience negotiating customer contracts and managing contracts through delivery. Solid understanding of contractual risk, change management, claims and dispute resolution. Strong commercial and financial acumen, including exposure to international contracting and trade finance. Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the confidence to influence at all levels.

Security Clearance Requirement: UK Eyes Only: Due to the nature of the work that we do at Thales, many of our roles are subject to security restrictions. This role requires you to be a UK National and achieve Security Clearance (SC) without any caveats. It would be advantageous if currently held, however, if not currently held, it is a requirement that the successful applicant undergo, achieve, and maintain SC Clearance prior to commencing employment. If approved by the MOD, a dual national from a non-ITAR country may be considered. To be eligible for full SC, you generally need to have resided in the UK for the last 5 years. In some circumstances, a minimum of 3 years residence in the UK over the last 5 years may be accepted, with additional overseas checks.

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