Defence Commercial Contracts Lead

CAE; Abu Dhabi; Hybrid; AED 400,000 - 600,000; Full time

Job summary

CAE is seeking an experienced Commercial/Contracts Manager to provide contractual and commercial support in bidding for and managing contracts within the Defence & Security sector across the EMEA region. The role involves leading bid teams, reviewing customer agreements, and negotiating terms in collaboration with CAE legal and finance functions.

You will coordinate with Sales, BD, Legal, and Programme Management to develop commercial responses, manage documentation, and ensure compliance with

Qualifications

• At least 5 years of experience supporting bids and managing commercial contracts within the defence, aerospace or government procurement environment.
• Basic knowledge of contract law and MoD terms and conditions (e.g., DEFCONS, public procurement).
• Strong business acumen.
• Excellent organisational and coordination skills.
• Strong communication and presentation skills.
• Proven negotiation skills.
• Ability to work under pressure within bid/project teams and meet deadlines.
• Proficiency with MS Outlook, Word, Excel, and MS Project.
• Ability to operate within a hybrid work environment (3 days per week in the office).
• Willingness to travel up to ~25% within EMEA.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a focal point of contact for customers regarding contractual matters by establishing good customer relationships and communications.
• Perform review of customer proposed contractual agreements (NDAs, Teaming Agreements, TAAs, Contracts etc.) and provide CAE position as required in close conjunction with CAE legal counsel.
• Proactive participation in business-winning Bid Teams, including generating the Commercial Response to Customer RFPs in accordance with the agreed strategy and inputs from Finance/Pricing; IP, LDs and liability from CAE legal.
• Assist Bids and Proposals Manager to generate Proposal Documentation (Commercial Volume, Risk and Opportunities Registers, Compliance Matrices) matched to Customer requirements.
• Undertaking a commercial/contractual review of the full suite of proposal documents provided by Bids and Proposals Manager.
• Support the development and implementation of the negotiation strategy.
• Participation in contract negotiations with Customers to fulfil business requirements in support of Sales/BD Lead and/or Programme Manager.
• In conjunction with CAE legal counsel, prepare and negotiate contracts and amendments to existing contracts and arrange for their approval.
• Provide guidance on compliance to terms and conditions of customer contracts, identify the appropriate flow down of such terms and conditions to potential subcontractors.
• Assist the Programme Management function by supporting subcontract negotiations as required.
• Identification of potential contractual liabilities, risks, issues and disputes, arising with customers, suppliers, partners and third parties, and report to CAE legal accordingly and jointly produce mitigation plans.
• Maintain contractual records, documentation of key correspondence, status and issue reports etc.
• Support in ensuring compliance with all relevant Corporate Policies and Procedures relevant to bidding for and managing contracts.
• Any other duties as may be required.

Skills

Bid management

Contract negotiation

Contract law basics

MS Office

Communication skills

Presentation skills

Organization

Deadline management

Hybrid work

Travel readiness

Tools

MS Outlook

MS Word

MS Excel

MS Project

Job description

CAE is seeking an experienced Commercial/Contracts Manager to provide contractual and commercial support in bidding for and managing contracts within the Defence & Security sector across the EMEA region. The role involves leading bid teams, reviewing customer agreements, and negotiating terms in collaboration with CAE legal and finance functions.

You will coordinate with Sales, BD, Legal, and Programme Management to develop commercial responses, manage documentation, and ensure compliance with