Commercial Manager

Boeing; Gosport; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading aerospace and defense company is seeking a mid-level Commercial Manager based in either Bristol or Gosport. The role involves leading proposal development, managing contracts, and ensuring compliance with regulations. Candidates should have over 5 years of experience in a multinational environment and UK defense expertise. This position offers autonomy and the chance to make impactful decisions within the organization.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in a multinational environment, with UK defence expertise preferred.
• Experience in contract formation and management.

Responsibilities

• Lead proposal development and execution of contractual agreements.
• Manage commercial governance and compliance with policies.
• Develop recommendations and influence decision-making.

Skills

Commercial negotiation

Contract management

Risk management

Stakeholder management

Strategic thinking

Education

WCC qualification or relevant experience

Job description

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An exciting opportunity has become available to join Boeing Defence United Kingdom (BDUK) as a Commercial Manager in one of the business unit Commercial teams. This role is full-time based in Bristol or Gosport depending on the team in which you are recruited into.

BDUK comprises 3 business units: Fixed Wing, Vertical Lift and Digital. Each business unit commercial team is led by a Head of Commercial who reports to the Commercial Director.

Each business unit commercial team supports contracts within the given portfolio: the majority of which tend to comprise long-term contracts for support services to Boeing platforms operated by UK armed forces, information services and synthetic training services. The business growth includes a mix of on-contract change and new business bids and proposals in line with company strategy. As a subsidiary of The Boeing Company, much of our portfolio involves intercompany arrangements supporting our contracts and providing support into other Boeing contracts with non-UK customers. Our UK contracts are predominantly Single Source Contracts, but not exclusively, and we pursue new campaigns involving competitive tendering.

About the role:

This is a mid-level, non-line management role within the team. Principal responsibilities include:

• Leading and participating in moderate complexity proposal development, negotiation, and execution of contractual agreements, including contract changes and amendments, with appropriate signature authority.
• Drafting, reviewing, interpreting, and administering terms and conditions (ranging from simple to moderately complex) and other legally binding agreements.
• Supporting and leading internal coordination across functional areas (programme, finance, legal) to deliver aligned commercial solutions.
• Anticipating, interpreting, and mitigating commercial risks; summarising contractual issues and proposing creative, risk-aware solutions.
• Maintaining effective commercial governance, ensuring compliance with Boeing Defence UK and corporate policies, laws, and regulations.
• Leading or supporting development and review of Statements of Work.
• Administering contracts and authorising company work in line with contractual requirements and policies.
• Understanding and applying value-for-money principles to support customer needs while achieving business objectives.

Our portfolios involve energetic, motivated, and international teams working together to deliver to our primary customer, the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD). Our main business is within Single Source Contract Regulations, so understanding and applying these regulations is vital, as is developing positive relationships with customers and stakeholders. The Commercial function provides value-adding business partnering throughout the contract lifecycle.

In this role, you will support the portfolio and collaborate across teams, handling diverse responsibilities in a dynamic environment. Tasks include typical contract management duties, providing commercial support, exercising business judgment, leading contract change proposals, and supporting strategic growth initiatives.

As a mid-level team member, you will work with autonomy and minimal supervision, contributing to continuous improvement and demonstrating a broad range of commercial skills. You will be responsible for understanding programme and financial contractual performance, developing recommendations, influencing decision-making, and maintaining effective relationships with colleagues and customers.

Within a matrix organisation, your role as a Commercial Manager is to be an influential business partner, with success demonstrated through technical experience in Contract Formation, Management Systems, Negotiation, Risk & Opportunity Management, Business Case Development, and knowledge of relevant legislation and standards.

Key responsibilities include:

• Managing all commercial artefacts and obligations within your contract/proposal scope.
• Understanding the programme environment to identify risks and opportunities beyond your scope.
• Proactively raising risks and issues early.
• Ensuring high-quality outputs and standards in administrative duties.
• Applying value-for-money principles aligned with business goals.

Qualifications:

• WCC (formerly IACCM) qualification and/or relevant experience.
• 5+ years of experience in a multinational environment, with UK defence expertise preferred.

Additional requirements:

• No sponsorship for employment visa; candidates must have UK work authorization.
• Ability to obtain UK security clearance.
• No relocation assistance provided; candidates must reside nearby or relocate at their own expense.