Commercial Contracts Manager

P+S Personnel are pleased to be working on behalf of our clients, who are currently recruiting a Commercial Contracts Manager to join their team on a full time, permanent basis.

You can be based anywhere within the UK

Role Summary:

The Commercial Contracts Manager ensures the organisation s commercial and contractual frameworks in the defence industry are robust, compliant, and value driven. This role manages complex contracts with government agencies, defence primes, and international partners balancing profitability, risk, and strict regulatory requirements.

Main Responsibilities:

Contract Drafting, Negotiation & Management

• Lead the drafting, review, and negotiation of contracts with government bodies, prime contractors, and subcontractors.
• Structure terms in alignment with defence procurement frameworks, including MOD DEFCONs, FAR/DFARS (for U.S. projects), and ITAR/EAR regulations.
• Negotiate terms for development, manufacturing, support, and service contracts, ensuring commercial soundness while maintaining compliance.
• Manage flow-down clauses effectively across the supply chain to ensure consistency and risk control.
• Interpret and implement complex contract provisions around delivery milestones, pricing adjustments, intellectual property, and offset obligations.

Risk & Compliance

• Identify and mitigate contractual, financial, export, and reputational risks associated with defence contracts.
• Ensure full adherence to national and international defence trade regulations, including ITAR, EAR, and other export control regimes.
• Monitor and enforce security classification handling, subcontractor compliance, and data protection requirements.
• Maintain robust documentation and audit trails for internal and external review (MOD, NATO, or internal audit).

Contract Lifecycle Oversight

• Oversee contract lifecycle management from proposal to closeout, including modifications, extensions, and renewals.
• Maintain accurate contract records, ensuring visibility on deliverables, billing milestones, and change control processes.
• Interface with project managers, engineers, procurement, and finance to ensure operational alignment.
• Implement performance monitoring systems for contractual obligations and commercial KPIs.

Commercial Strategy & Support

• Provide commercial input to bids and proposals, balancing competitiveness with risk exposure.
• Collaborate with Legal, Finance, and Programme Management to shape commercially viable offers.
• Evaluate pricing models, cost-plus structures, fixed-price, and incentive-based contracts.
• Advise senior leadership on contractual implications of program or policy changes.
• Support supplier and customer negotiations to resolve disputes, variations, or claims.

Stakeholder Engagement & Leadership

• Serve as the trusted commercial advisor to programme and business leaders.
• Represent the company in commercial discussions with defence clients, subcontractors, and government auditors.
• Train internal stakeholders on defence contracting principles, ethics, and compliance protocols.
• Foster a culture of commercial discipline, transparency, and accountability.

Experience & Qualifications:

• Bachelor s degree in law, Business, or Engineering (LLB, MBA, or CIPS certification advantageous).
• 7 10 years experience in commercial or contract management within the defence, aerospace, or security sectors.
• Deep understanding of defence contracting standards (e.g., DEFCON, FAR/DFARS, ITAR/EAR).
• Proven experience managing government and international defence contracts.
• Strong negotiation, analytical, and stakeholder management skills.
• Excellent knowledge of export control, offset, and compliance frameworks.
• Proficiency with contract management systems (SAP, Ivalua, or equivalent) and solid financial literacy.
• The ideal candidate blends commercial pragmatism, legal discipline, and defence-sector awareness to drive success in a highly scrutinized environment.

If this is a role you are interested in, please apply online ensuring your CV is up to date.