2026 Contract Management Graduate

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

Job summary

A leading technology firm is seeking a 2026 Contract Management Graduate to engage in contract management and risk management projects across multiple UK locations. The role involves reviewing contracts, preparing pricing information, and collaborating within teams to ensure successful contract delivery. Candidates should have a bachelor's degree and the right to work in the UK. The position offers competitive benefits and supports flexibility in working patterns.

Benefits

201 hours annual leave

Company pension

Health Care Cash Plan

Life Insurance

Discount Portal

Performance-related pay uplifts

80 hours volunteering

Qualifications

• On track to or have achieved a bachelor’s degree in any subject.
• Permanent right to work in the UK.
• Willingness to complete security clearance at BPSS level and obtain full Security Clearance (SC) as required.

Responsibilities

• Review customer terms and conditions and advise on commercial risk.
• Prepare costing and pricing information and provide commentary.
• Interpret contractual documents and amend contracts as necessary.
• Advise on potential disputes and collaborate to reduce risk.
• Contribute to successful contract delivery in a multidisciplinary team.
• Handle customer change requests and contract amendments.
• Ensure appropriate export licenses are in place.
• Review proposal documents for consistency and professionalism.

Skills

Commercial risk management

Costing and pricing

Contract interpretation

Customer relationship management

Multi-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

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 other. In aerospace, transportation, defence, security and space, our architects design innovative solutions that make our tomorrow’s 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 – that’s why we offer flexibility for what’s important to you, whether that’s 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: £32,000 per annum

Employee type: Permanent

Location: Initial role dependent on location (Glasgow, Crawley or Templecombe) for the first 12 months and thereafter rotational across our main UK locations (Crawley, Glasgow, Belfast, Reading, Cheadle and Templecombe).

Working Schedule: 37 hours per week (8 hours Monday‑Thursday, 5 hours on Friday)

Are you passionate about understanding a business and ensuring the commercial integrity of all its commitments? Do you care about the financial aspects of price building, risk balancing, building customer relationships and overseeing contractual affairs from bidding to closure? If so, you’ll fit this role.

What the role has to offer

• Review customer terms and conditions and advise on commercial risk, including mitigation strategies.
• Prepare costing and pricing information and provide explanatory commentary.
• Interpret contractual documents and amend existing and potential contracts.
• Advise on potential liabilities, risks, issues and disputes arising with customers, suppliers or third parties and collaborate within multi‑functional teams to reduce company risk.
• Contribute to successful contract delivery by managing commercial aspects as part of a multi‑disciplinary team.
• Handle customer change requests from receipt of change notices through contract amendment.
• Ensure appropriate export licences are in place and liaise with supply chain on export classification.
• Review proposal documents for consistency, clarity and professionalism.

Graduate Programme

The programme is a two‑year talent development experience, offering you living and working in two of our UK locations for 12 months each. Your first 12 months will be at the role’s starting location (Crawley, Glasgow or Templecombe) and the next 12 months in an alternative location. You will experience different parts of the business for 6‑12 month rotations and develop a solid understanding of Thales and contract management, along with leadership and personal behaviours across the scheme.

Requirements

• On track to or have achieved a bachelor’s degree in any subject.
• Permanent right to work in the UK.
• Willingness to complete security clearance at BPSS level and obtain full Security Clearance (SC) as required.

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)

Recruitment Process: Assessments for shortlisted candidates will be held between February and May 2026. Induction week for all graduates and apprentices will run from Monday 07 September to Friday 11 September 2026.

Closing date: Applications will close at 11.59pm on Monday 5 January 2026. We may close earlier if we receive a high number of applications, so apply as soon as possible to avoid missing out.

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

All successful candidates will hold the permanent right to work in the UK and will be required to obtain the necessary security clearance prior to starting employment.

Great journeys start here – apply now!