Contracts Manager in Cambridge

We are Ultra Precision Control Systems (Ultra PCS), a leading developer of mission and safety‐critical equipment for the defence and aerospace industry. Our team of experts is at the heart of our success, and we are dedicated to fostering a safe working environment and a positive culture where every staff member feels valued and respected. We solve our customers' problems by providing engineering solutions to safety and mission‐critical challenges in the air and on the ground. Our solutions can be found in the latest military aircraft and vehicles, in civil aircraft, and in unmanned vehicles.

Flexible Working: Wherever possible, we consider a variety of working options to suit your lifestyle, including hybrid home/office working, flexible working and part or full‐time employment. We welcome the challenge to work in new ways and have trust in you when getting the job done because we recognise our business is our people.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure and maintain effective commercial governance in accordance with policies, procedures and processes.
• Support implementation of commercial objectives and their effective management and achievement.
• Implement effective contract management during project lifecycles for the IPT, including customer liaison and customer relationship management on contractual matters.
• Contribute to the commercial aspects of Bids, including the drafting of terms and conditions and clearance through the Bid review process.
• Preparation, review and negotiation of agreements, including NDAs/PIAs, MoUs, LTAs, Agency Agreements, PDS, Teaming Agreements, to protect Ultra's commercial and financial interests.
• Lead contract negotiations for non‐strategic bids and subcontracts; support strategic bids and contract negotiations.
• Identify and mitigate commercial and contractual risk throughout the project lifecycle from bid to closure.
• Negotiate and manage any bank‐issued bonds and guarantees to mitigate risk and ensure timely return from issuing and counter guaranteeing banks.
• Implement the appropriate commercial/contractual arrangements for the delivery of the IPT's strategic projects and programmes, ensuring that such arrangements protect Ultra's commercial and financial interests.
• Propose and manage effective arrangements for non‐strategic projects and programmes.
• Maintain the strategically important Contracts Register and deliver commercial analysis and reports and briefs, along with inputs to CSRs and participation in senior level discussions.
• Support implementation and management of key business processes ensuring commercial integrity of activities through the bid review process and ensuring that all business development opportunities and bids meet agreed commercial criteria including risk‐reward balance.
• Support other commercial team members in the further development of overall commercial awareness across the enterprise.
• Work collaboratively with and support the IPT and other functions. Share ownership of problems and actively support resolution strategies, plans and actions.
• Implement strategic decisions, in conjunction with Engineering, regarding the implementation of IP management policies. Ensure continued protection and management of IP and confidential information.
• Support government contracting price investigations. Provide management level reports detailing outcomes and any action plans.
• Contribute to continuous improvement by supporting achievement of functional OKRs; support development and maintenance of commercial and contracting procedures, policies and templates, and implement them in assigned areas to support improved business effectiveness.
• Keep up to date with and research new commercial developments in assigned areas and assist in assessing their advantage to the business.

Essential Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Minimum of 5 years prior commercial experience in an aerospace, defence or related technology industry, demonstrating all, or substantially all, of the above responsibilities.
• Well organised and confident individual able to take the lead on business issues.
• Previous experience in a customer interface role.
• Ability to identify key areas in contract terms supplied by other parties that, if accepted, would represent a significant risk to the Company.
• Lateral thinker that demonstrates commercial awareness, business acumen and attention to detail while meeting challenging deadlines.
• Confidence with numbers.
• Good communicator – oral and written.
• Ability to effectively liaise with internal and external customers and stakeholders.
• Works effectively in a team.
• Self‐motivated and proactively able to manage own work to achieve objectives.
• Uses own initiative within the scope of the role.
• Plans work and delivers on time, with agility to re‐plan priorities to meet the needs of the business.
• Demonstrates a high level of integrity and inspires trust.
• Ability to identify and develop solutions to problems.
• Demonstrates a "Can do" positive attitude, with a willingness to develop.
• Good application of Microsoft packages and relevant software.
• Embraces and shares Ultra's APSIRE values.

Desirable

• Working experience of US Federal Acquisition Regulations (FARS and DFARS).
• Working experience of US TINA.
• Appreciation of UK and US export control regulations.
• Recognition of contract law.

Qualifications

• Degree educated in a Business or related subject is essential.
• Post‐graduation Commercial certifications (such as WCC CCM) is desirable.

Benefits

• Flexible working within core working hours.
• 25 days holiday (185 hrs) with the option to buy/sell 5 days (37 hrs) plus bank holidays.
• 4 times your annual salary in life assurance.
• Flexible benefits package.
• Pension Scheme – less than 5 years' service up to 5.5% employer contributions; 5 years' service + up to 7.5% employer contributions.
• Sports and Social club.
• Supportive and friendly working environment with regular team events.

Nationality Requirements

Candidates must be able to work in the UK without restrictions in accordance with UK National Law and be prepared to successfully undertake an appropriate level of UK National Security Vetting according to UK Government National Security Vetting criteria.

Diverse & Inclusive Employer

Ultra PCS is an equal opportunities employer that values diversity, inclusion, equity and equality. Underpinned by our values, behaviours, and policies, we want you to feel empowered to be your best and authentic self. We promote a workplace that welcomes people from all backgrounds and cultures; believing that this will increase our diversity of thinking, and ultimately ensure we continue delivering on our commitments to our customers. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status and welcome applications from all candidates.

Seniority level: Mid‐Senior level

Employment type: Full‐time

Job function: Management and Manufacturing

Industries: Defense and Space Manufacturing