Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape and review commercial propositions, negotiate contracts, and provide expert advice.
- Company: Join a leading UK research facility in aerospace and advanced engineering.
- Benefits: Competitive salary of £50k and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Work closely with senior leadership and gain exposure to the full commercial lifecycle.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a growing team within the defence sector.
- Qualifications: Experience in contracts or commercial management, strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 50000 £ per year.
Join a world-class UK research and development facility at the forefront of aerospace and advanced engineering. From testing next-generation aircraft designs to delivering precision engineering solutions, this organisation partners with global industry leaders to push the boundaries of technology.
We're looking for a commercially minded professional to join the team in Bedford as a Senior Contract Officer. This is a newly developed role, created to bring specialist commercial expertise into a growing business that operates within the defence sector.
Working closely with the Head of Commercial, you'll be involved throughout the full sales lifecycle - from bids and proposals through to delivery and contract closure. You'll help negotiate and manage customer contracts, interpret complex terms and conditions, and bring order and clarity to challenging situations.
What You'll Be Doing
- Shaping and reviewing commercial propositions for bids and proposals.
- Negotiating and supporting contracts with major defence sector customers.
- Providing commercial advice to delivery teams and senior stakeholders.
- Applying governance with good judgement (not just box-ticking).
- Supporting contract administration, reporting, and closure activities.
What We're Looking For
- Experience in contracts, terms & conditions, or commercial management, ideally in the defence or technical sector.
- A curious, self-motivated mindset with strong problem-solving skills.
- Excellent communication skills and the confidence to work with senior stakeholders.
- Organised, collaborative, and able to simplify complex issues.
- Strong IT literacy (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
This is a chance to make a real impact in a specialist, growing team. You'll be working directly with senior leadership, gaining exposure to the full commercial lifecycle, and helping shape the way the company manages its customer contracts.
Senior Contract Officer in South Cave employer: The Collective Network
Contact Detail:
The Collective Network Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Contract Officer in South Cave
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the defence sector on LinkedIn or at industry events. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Show us you’re genuinely interested in their work and how your skills as a Senior Contract Officer can make a difference.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! Role-play with a friend or mentor to get comfortable discussing contracts and terms. This will help you shine when it comes to real-life scenarios.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Contract Officer in South Cave
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Contract Officer role. Highlight your experience in contracts and commercial management, especially in the defence or technical sector. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Mention specific experiences that showcase your problem-solving skills and ability to work with senior stakeholders. Let us know why you’re excited about joining our team!
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since excellent communication is key for this position, make sure your application reflects that. Use clear and concise language, and don’t shy away from demonstrating your ability to simplify complex issues. We love a well-structured application!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you get all the updates directly. Plus, it shows us you’re keen on joining our world-class team!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Collective Network
✨Know Your Contracts Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of contracts, terms, and conditions, especially in the defence sector. Be prepared to discuss specific examples from your past experience where you've successfully negotiated or managed contracts.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
During the interview, highlight instances where you've tackled complex issues. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and demonstrate how your curious mindset has led to effective solutions.
✨Communicate with Confidence
Since you'll be working closely with senior stakeholders, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Prepare to discuss how you've effectively communicated commercial advice in previous roles, and don’t shy away from asking insightful questions.
✨Be Organised and Collaborative
Demonstrate your organisational skills by discussing how you manage multiple contracts or projects simultaneously. Share examples of how you've collaborated with teams to simplify complex issues, showing that you're a team player who can bring order to challenging situations.