2026 Contract Management Graduate

Thales; Crawley; Hybrid; GBP 32,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense and aerospace company is seeking a 2026 Contract Management Graduate to join their program aimed at developing commercial skills through a rotational experience. The role involves reviewing contract terms, preparing costing information, and advising on risks. You'll spend 12 months at your start location and then move to another UK site. Ideal candidates should have a bachelor's degree in any subject and a passion for business integrity and customer relationships. The company also offers a strong benefits package, including annual leave and health care plans.

Benefits

201 hours annual leave

Company Pension

Health Care Cash Plan

Life Insurance

Discount Portal

Performance-related pay uplifts

80 Hours Volunteering (first two years)

Qualifications

• You will be on track to or have achieved a bachelor's degree in any subject.

Responsibilities

• Review customer terms and conditions and evaluate commercial risk.
• Prepare costing information and commentary.
• Interpret contractual documents and amend existing contracts.
• Advise on potential liabilities and issues arising with clients.
• Contribute to successful delivery of contracts.
• Handle customer change requests from receipt to amendment.
• Ensure appropriate export licences are in place.
• Review proposal documents for consistency and clarity.

Education

Bachelor's degree in any subject

Job description

Location : Crawley United Kingdom

In fast changing markets customers worldwide rely on Thales. Thales is a business where brilliant people from all over the world come together to share ideas and inspire each aerospace transportation defence security and space our architects design innovative solutions that make our tomorrows possible.

Together we offer fantastic opportunities for committed employees to learn and develop their career with us. At Thales UK we research develop and supply technology and services that impact the lives of millions of people each day to make life better and keep us safer. We innovate across the major industries of Aerospace Defence Security and Space. Your health and well-being matters to us and thats why we offer you the flexibility to do whats important to you; whether thats part time hours job sharing home working or the ability to flex your start and finish times. Where possible we support a working pattern that suits your lifestyle and helps you reach your ambitions.

2026 Contract Management Graduate

• Start Date : 07 September 2026
• Salary : 32000 per annum
• Employee type : Permanent
• Location : Initial location is role dependent (Glasgow Crawley or Templecombe) for first 12 months and thereafter Rotational (our main UK locations are : Crawley Glasgow Belfast Reading Cheadle and Templecombe)
• Working Schedule : 37 hours per week (8 hours Monday - Thursday 5 hours on a Friday)

Are you passionate about understanding a business and how to ensure the commercial integrity of all the commitments that it makes Are you interested in not just the terms and conditions of a contract but the financial considerations of building a price how you approach and balance risk developing customer relationships as well as overseeing contractual affairs at every stage from bidding and negotiation to project delivery and contract closure If so then look no further

What the role has to offer

• Reviewing customer terms and conditions and evaluating and advising on commercial risk including recommended mitigation strategies
• Preparation of costing and pricing information and explanatory commentary
• Interpreting contractual documents and making amendments to existing and potential contracts
• Advising on potential liabilities risks issues and disputes arising with customers suppliers or third parties and working within multi-functional teams to reduce company risk and exposure
• Contributing to the successful delivery of contracts by managing the commercial aspects of the delivery to the customer as part of a multi-disciplinary team
• Handling customer change requests from receipt of change notices through to contract amendment to incorporate them
• Ensuring appropriate export licences are in place including liaising with supply chain to understand the export classification of goods
• Reviewing proposal documents to ensure consistency clarity and professionalism

Graduate Programme

The graduate programme is a 2 year talent programme offering you the chance to experience living and working in 2 of our UK locations for a period of 12 months each. Our main UK locations are : Crawley Glasgow Belfast Reading Cheadle and Templecombe.

Your first 12 months will be at your roles starting location (Crawley Glasgow or Templecombe) and then you will re-locate to an alternative location for your second 12 months.

You will have the opportunity to work for different parts of the business for periods of 6 - 12 months and will gain a solid understanding of Thales and the Contract Management role as well as developing your leadership and personal behaviours throughout the scheme.

Requirements

• You will be on track to or have achieved a bachelors degree in any subject.

Benefits

• 201 hours annual leave (plus a company day and bank holidays)
• Company Pension
• Health Care Cash Plan
• Life Insurance
• Discount Portal
• Performance-related pay uplifts
• 80 Hours Volunteering (first two years)

Please note assessment centres for shortlisted candidates will be held between February - May 2026. Induction week for all Graduate and Apprentices will take place from Monday 07 September - Friday 11 September 2026.

Closing date

Our applications will close at 11.59pm on Monday 5 January 2026 this is the only time we will be accepting applications this year. Please note we will be in contact by the end of February 2026 with details of next steps.

PLEASE NOTE THAT ROLES MAY CLOSE EARLIER THAN THE ADVERTISED DEADLINE IF WE RECEIVE A HIGH NUMER OF APPLICATIONS. WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO APPLY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO AVOID MISSING OUT ON THIS OPPORTUNITY.

Recruitment Process

For further information on our recruitment process or to speak to a member of the Future Talent Team or a Graduate or Apprentice please visit Thales Future Talent - Connectr

Security Clearance

All successful candidates must possess the permanent right to work in the UK and will be required to go through Government security clearance at BPSS Level and to obtain full SecurityClearance (SC) in line with the United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) requirements below prior to starting with us.

This role requires you to be a sole British National from birth and achieve Security Clearance (SC) without any caveats. It would be advantageous if currently held however if not currently held it is a requirement that the successful applicant undergo achieve and maintain SC Clearance prior to commencing employment. Please visit the UKSV website for further guidance.

To be eligible for full SC you generally need to have resided in the UK for the last 5 years. As part of the vetting process you will be asked to provide evidence of your identity eligibility to work in the UK time spent abroad over the last 5 years as well as employment and / or educational history.

Equal Opportunities & Accessibility

In line with Thales Baseline Security requirements candidates will be asked to provide evidence of identity eligibility to work in the UK and employment and / or education history for up to three years. Some vacancies may require full Security Clearance which can require further evidence to be provided. For further details of the evidence required to apply for Baseline and Security Clearance please refer to the Defence Business Services National Security Vetting (DBS NSV) Agency.

Thales UK is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free recruitment process. We will provide reasonable adjustments and support to ensure neuro-diverse applicants or those with a disability or long-term condition can be their best during the recruitment process. To request an adjustment if you need this job advert in an alternative format or if you have any questions about the recruitment process please contact Resourcing Ops for mid to senior roles or the Early Careers Teamfor graduate and apprentice roles.

Great journeys start here apply now!

is an equal opportunities employer and diversity and inclusion are integral to the success of Thales.

Key Skills

Change Management,Deputy,Fashion Designing,Brand Communications,Activex,Import & Export

Employment details

Employment Type : Full-Time

Experience : years

Vacancy : 1