Commercial & Contracts Manager

GI Group Main Account; West of England; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

GI Group is seeking a Commercial & Contracts Manager to join a defence client in Bristol. You will lead governance across opportunities, manage risks, and support bids and programme delivery while safeguarding IP and commercial interests.

The role requires strong governance, negotiation skill, and a relevant degree. Hybrid work (2–3 days in office), 37 hours/week. Temporary contract through 2 April 2027 with an hourly rate of £40.

Qualifications

• Proven advanced experience in commercial/contracts management or advisory roles.
• Degree-level education and professional qualification and/or significant relevant experience.
• Knowledge of the Defence sector (Cyber/Data exposure desirable).

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain strong internal and external stakeholder relationships, working collaboratively and transparently.
• Shape governance decisions by identifying, assessing and mitigating commercial and contractual risk.
• Lead key commercial deliverables, including negotiation strategies and obligations registers.
• Support and/or lead negotiations for complex opportunities and tenders; draft and review agreements such as NDAs, Teaming Agreements and Collaboration Agreements.
• Provide guidance to the wider Commercial team; manage approvals within delegated authority and escape where required.
• Work closely with Procurement to manage supply chain risk and contract variations, ensuring end-to-end obligations are controlled.

Skills

Commercial contracts management

Negotiation

Governance

Stakeholder management

Education

Degree-level education

Job description

Job Title: Commercial & Contracts Manager - Level 7

Location: Bristol, BS16 1EJ

Hourly rate: £40.00

Contract: Temporary contract - ASAP to 2/4/27

Hours: 37 hours per week - Hybrid (2-3 days per week in the office)

GI Group is recruiting a

Commercial & Contracts Manager to join a defence client's team.

You'll lead commercial and contractual governance across a portfolio of Defence opportunities and contracts-managing risk, supporting bids/tenders and programme delivery, and safeguarding commercial interests and intellectual property.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and maintain strong internal and external stakeholder relationships, working collaboratively and transparently.
• Shape governance decisions by identifying, assessing and mitigating commercial and contractual risk.
• Lead key commercial deliverables, including negotiation strategies and obligations registers.
• Support and/or lead negotiations for complex opportunities and tenders; draft and review agreements such as NDAs, Teaming Agreements and Collaboration Agreements.
• Provide guidance to the wider Commercial team; manage approvals within delegated authority and escape where required.
• Work closely with Procurement to manage supply chain risk and contract variations, ensuring end-to-end obligations are controlled.

The successful candidate will

• Support Defence bid and tender activity from early engagement through to contract award.
• Partner with bid and programme teams to manage customer dependencies, deliverables and contractual commitments.
• Identify and drive opportunities to improve commercial performance and delivery outcomes.
• Active Security Clearance

Skills & experience

• Proven, advanced experience in commercial/contracts management or advisory roles.
• Degree-level education, professional qualification and/or significant relevant experience.
• Knowledge of the Defence sector (Cyber/Data exposure desirable).
• Strong understanding of governance and lifecycle processes, with the ability to work independently.
• Confident communicator with the ability to influence cross-functional and cross-site stakeholders.

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