Assistant Commercial Manager - £60K

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

Job summary

A maritime technology company in Portsmouth is looking for a Commercial Manager who will drive commercial strategies and negotiate customer contracts. The role involves working within a dynamic commercial team and leading negotiations, ensuring alignment with business objectives. Essential qualifications include strong negotiation skills and a solid grounding in commercial principles. Attractive benefits include a competitive pension, flexible wellbeing options, and opportunities for performance incentives.

Benefits

Competitive pension

Flexible wellbeing benefits

Employee share options

Private health offerings

Discounted schemes

Qualifications

• Solid grounding in commercial principles, ideally within the defence or advanced engineering sector.
• Good awareness of how functions work together as part of integrated bid and project teams.

Responsibilities

• Supporting a busy Commercial team across a broad mix of customer contracts.
• Leading customer negotiations for proposals of varying scale and complexity.
• Reviewing and securing approval for contract terms.

Skills

Strong customer focus

Understanding of contract law

Experience managing teams

Job description

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.