Commercial Manager

IBM SiXworks; Farnborough; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

Private Medical cover

Life Assurance

Generous pension

Job summary

SiXworks in the United Kingdom is seeking a Commercial Manager to lead contracts from negotiation to close‑out, ensuring compliance, risk control and commercial performance. You will negotiate terms, shape pricing strategies, and coordinate with finance, BD and legal teams while engaging with customers and partners.

You will oversee contract lifecycle, manage risks, and provide regular reporting on bids and contract status in a fast-paced, defence‑oriented environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in UK Government contract management or MoD oriented environment.
• Ability to negotiate terms and contract structures with cross‑functional teams.
• Understanding of compliance requirements in defence contracting.

Responsibilities

• Contract Management - manage contracts through lifecycle from draft to close‑out.
• Commercial Oversight - own the commercial position across assigned contracts.
• Negotiation & Governance – negotiate terms with finance, BD and legal teams.
• Bid & Tender Support – provide commercial input into bids and pricing strategies.
• Compliance - ensure contracts meet laws, regulations and company policies.
• Performance & Risk Management – monitor KPIs and contractual risks.
• Stakeholder Communication - main point of contact for commercial matters.
• Contract Dispute Resolution - resolve disputes with legal teams.
• Reporting - provide updates on bids, status, risks, issues.

Skills

Contract management

Negotiation

Risk management

Bid & tender

Compliance

Stakeholder management

MoD contracting

Job description

Work on Technology That Protects What Matters

At SiXworks, we build secure digital solutions that support Defence and National Security missions. Our teams work on complex problems where reliability, security, and speed of innovation matter.

We’re looking for a Commercial Manager who enjoys solving difficult technical challenges and wants their work to have real operational impact.

What You’ll Do

As a Commercial Manager, you’ll report into the Finance director, managing contracts from negotiation and award through to delivery and close‑out, ensuring commercial performance, compliance, and risk are actively controlled from start to finish. We are looking for a dynamic individual who can work independently and maintain their own momentum whilst working through commercial negotiations and delivery.

Your work may include:

• Contract Management - Manage contracts across their full lifecycle (drafting, negotiation, assurance, execution, and close‑out)
• Commercial Oversight - own the commercial position across assigned contracts. Balance risk, margin, and growth objectives
• Negotiation & Governance – working with the finance, BD and legal teams to negotiate on terms and contract structures. Support governance processes.
• Bid & Tender Support – Provide commercial input into bids and proposals. Shape pricing strategies, commercial models, and risk positions along with the finance team. Act as intermediary with corporate legal and commercial teams.
• Compliance - Ensure that all contracts comply with applicable laws, regulations, and company policies and governance, including ITAR, EAR, and other relevant defence industry standards.
• Performance & Risk Management – provide overwatch of contract performance ensuring that delivery teams are managing KPIs, service levels and commercial obligations. Work closely with Programmes, Service and Operations teams to identify and mitigate commercial and contractual risks, elevate issues proactively and recommend solutions
• Stakeholder Communication: Be customer facing, serving as the primary point of contact for Commercial matters, providing guidance to internal stakeholders and liaising with external customers and partners to agree and resolve any Commercial issues.
• Contract Dispute Resolution: Manage and resolve contract‑related disputes in collaboration with legal and other relevant departments.
• Reporting: Provide regular updates and reports to senior management on bids, contract status, key risks, and any significant issues that could impact the business.

What We’re Looking For

We value people who take ownership, think critically, and enjoy working as part of a collaborative team tackling complex challenges. You don’t need to tick every box, but we’re particularly interested in people with skills/experience in:

• Proven experience in UK Government contract management or commercial roles within a MoD oriented environment.
• Experience of commercially establishing and delivering Single Source Competitive Regulation Qualifying Defence Contracts.
• Strong understanding of contractual principles, risk allocation, and negotiation.
• Track record in bid/tender processes and in negotiating and agreeing contracts and agreements.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with cross‑functional teams.
• Ability to manage multiple simultaneous activities and priorities effectively in a fast paced environment.
• Commercially astute, confident operating within MoD contracting structure, including DEFCONs.
• Strong stakeholder engagement, used to working within structured and regulated frameworks, with a mindset that values collaboration, innovation, and diversity of thought

Just as important are curiosity, strong problem solving ability, and the motivation to continuously improve how technology is designed and delivered.

About SiXworks

SiXworks is a specialist digital innovation partner delivering secure, mission‑critical technology to Defence and National Security organisations. We focus on digital experimentation, secure‑by‑design architecture, cloud technologies, and rapid application development to help our customers move faster and stay ahead of evolving challenges.

Our team combines expertise from across technology, business, and operational backgrounds including the armed forces creating a collaborative environment where practical thinking and innovation thrive.

Why Join Us

Our culture is guided by six principles: Agility, Security, Innovation, Quality, Collaboration and Inclusivity our North Star for how we work. SiXworks is a leading provider of secure digital solutions, specialising in digital experimentation and focused on fail‑safe‑fast cutting‑edge technology solutions deployed in highly secure environments.

As an end‑to‑end digital innovation and delivery partner, we turn complex challenges into mission‑critical digital advantages. This is a thrilling time for us, with ambitious plans for growth. We are looking for brilliant, experienced, driven and self‑motivated people to join the team on our journey.

We offer competitive salaries and a package that supports your wellbeing and development, including 25 days annual leave + bank holidays, free Private Medical cover and Life Assurance, Generous pension (10% employer, 5% employee contribution), Bonus and Professional development and training support. In addition to secure parking, gym, café & restaurant on site and lots of open break out spaces.

A word on UK Security Clearance

Due to the secure nature of the position and working environment, you must have or be eligible to obtain Security Clearance. More details relating to UK Security Clearance can be found here:

United Kingdom Security Vetting: clearance levels - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)