Are you interested in contributing to the UK's defence and security, with a company developing and delivering advanced communications solutions? Do you have experience in contract management and contract negotiation? Do you want to help close business contracts in a company which offers you excellent personal growth opportunities?

As a leader in the defence and space industry, a Commercial Manager is sought to play a central role in the preparation, negotiation and management of all commercial commitments across all stages from acquisition of project to contract closure relating to UK Space Digital (SD) projects. Our customer's need "Information Superiority" - and SD has been delivering mission critical services for decades and is investing to keep our customers ahead of the game.

Our Commercial and Contracts team is empowered to bring the customer expectations and the internal company requirements into a commercial strategy. We identify and manage the commercial risks from the pre-bid phase up to project closure; as well as acting as focal point for offers and contracts and lead the commercial contract negotiation make informed decisions, building resilience into our network and setting best in class standards. To be successful in this role you will have a passion for developing close working relationships with customers whilst understanding and managing large contracts, in addition to taking satisfaction of employing and sharing best practice whilst improving processes within an organisation and team.

These are exciting times as the scope of work in Secure Communications continues to develop. We are looking for people to join us who share our values which are:
* Team work - We feel, act and behave as one large family - We are One - and create an engaging and inclusive workplace that favours wellbeing, fun and trust to drive team work
* Customer - We partner with our customers to deliver valuable and sustainable solutions together
* Reliability - Our reliability drives our competences and mind-set to deliver on time, on cost and on quality
* Respect - We treat each other and all stakeholders as we wish to be treated, with respect, embracing diversity
* Creativity - We are curious, courageous, passionate, open-minded and recognise creativity at all levels
* Integrity - We act with integrity and take appropriate consequences to eradicate un-ethical and non-compliant behaviours

The position on offer is for Commercial Manager within the SD Business Unit. You will be joining a Commercial team of approximately 10 people and a wider multi-disciplined Programme Line of 100+. This position can be based in Stevenage or Portsmouth.

Reporting directly to the UK Head of Department within the Commercial and Contracts function, you will be responsible for managing a range of Contractual and Commercial topics including:
* Providing Commercial support to complex bids which require innovation and creativity
* Ongoing management of contracts ranging in values and up to hundreds of millions
* Providing Commercial support to manage change on existing contracts
* Reviewing and Leading the negotiation of a variety of contractual agreements
* Working closely with and managing key stakeholders to deliver profitable solutions ensuring that Commercial risks are highlighted, mitigated and governance is followed
* Working with the procurement organisation to advise on key contractual obligations and risks, ensuring flow down of key terms
* Managing in accordance with company procedures and contractual requirements, to ensure efficient and accurate performance
* Developing relationship with customers to ensure smooth running of existing contracts
* Working flexibly to provide support to the wider business in order to provide commercial guidance and management
* Employing commercial best practice, efficiency and responsiveness within an ethical environment

Essential skills & experience:
* Demonstrated experience within the commercial field
* Experience in a customer facing role
* Experience in a competitive bid situation
* Proven negotiation and contract management skills
* Excellent stakeholder management skills with the ability to interact and influence across a range of stakeholders
* Knowledge of the defence industry
* Attention to detail
* Problem solving ability
* Understands the principles of project management, risk management and finance

Desirable skills & experience
* Cross-functional interaction with projects, finance, engineering and sales
* Experience working with the UK MOD on a range of proposals and contracts
* Knowledge of Single Source Regulations and contracting in accordance with the Defence Reform Act
* Experience in preparing and executing winning proposals
* A self-starter, capable of delivering a high quality complex workload with minimum supervision
* Experience in the subject of continuous improvement
* Relevant qualification, ideally to degree level

Please note: Current SC clearance is required for this role