Assistant Commercial Manager (Defence) - £60K

1st Executive; Portsmouth; Hybrid; GBP 51,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A technology firm in defence is seeking an Assistant Commercial Manager to drive commercial strategy and enhance customer contracts. This role requires strong negotiation skills and a focus on strategic development within the maritime technology sector. You will collaborate with internal teams and manage customer relationships. The position offers a salary up to £60K and a robust benefits package, including flexible lifestyle benefits and performance incentives. Join an inclusive workplace that values diverse perspectives.

Benefits

Competitive pension

Employee share options

Private health offerings

Discounted shopping perks

Qualifications

• Solid grounding in commercial principles within the defence or advanced engineering sector.
• Good awareness of integrated bid and project teams functioning.

Responsibilities

• Supporting a busy Commercial team across customer contracts.
• Owning commercial strategies and reviewing contract terms.
• Leading customer negotiations and preparing bid materials.
• Working closely with project teams to shape new opportunities.

Skills

Strong customer focus

Understanding of contract law

Experience guiding or managing people

Ability to manage key risks

Job description

Assistant Commercial Manager (Defence)

Salary: Up to £60K + Excellent Corporate Package

Location: Portsmouth (1-2 days p/w on-site)

Step into a role where your commercial instincts, negotiation skills and strategic thinking directly shape the success of high‑profile radar products and services delivered to customers in the UK and around the world. As a Commercial Manager, you'll join a dynamic commercial function at the heart of a fast‑evolving maritime technology business – supporting a growing portfolio of innovative products and contributing to major transformation across the organisation.

What you'll be doing:

• Supporting a busy Commercial team across a broad mix of customer contracts, bids and strategic campaigns
• Owning commercial strategies covering pricing, contract development, risk, governance compliance and margin growth
• Reviewing and securing approval for contract terms – collaborating with specialist functions such as Legal, IP and Tax where needed
• Leading customer negotiations for proposals of varying scale and complexity – ensuring outcomes align with commercial and business objectives
• Playing an active role within Bid Teams – preparing bid materials, leading commercial reviews and steering proposals through corporate governance
• Working closely with project teams, business development, and customers to keep existing contracts running smoothly while helping to shape new opportunities

What you'll bring:

• Strong customer focus and the discipline to meet deadlines in a fast‑paced environment
• Solid grounding in commercial principles, ideally within the defence or advanced engineering sector
• Understanding of contract law, contractual frameworks and the ability to identify and manage key risks
• Good awareness of how functions work together as part of integrated bid and project teams
• Experience guiding or managing people and fostering effective team relationships

What's in it for you:

You’ll join an organisation that's investing in its people, its product portfolio and its future. Expect a competitive pension, flexible wellbeing and lifestyle benefits, employee share options, private health offerings and discounted schemes – including green car plans and shopping perks. Many roles also offer eligibility for annual performance incentives.

A workplace that supports you:

You’ll be part of an inclusive culture where integrity, performance and diverse perspectives are genuinely valued. If you need adjustments during the recruitment process – whether due to a disability, neurodiversity or health condition – support is available.

Security requirements:

Due to the nature of the programmes you’ll work on, security and export control restrictions apply. Applicants must meet baseline security standards, and some positions may require higher‑level national security vetting. This requires 5 years of continuous UK residency.