Commercial Manager

Yolk Recruitment Ltd; Portsmouth; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A recruitment firm is seeking an experienced Commercial Manager to oversee complex defence and secure communications projects in Portsmouth. This role involves negotiating contract arrangements, managing risks, and maintaining strong relationships with clients and stakeholders. Candidates must have a proven background in commercial management, experience in customer-facing roles, and the ability to secure SC clearance. This position offers an influential opportunity within a professional environment supporting national defence programmes.

Qualifications

• Proven background in commercial or contract management roles.
• Strong negotiation and change management capability.
• Ability to obtain and hold SC security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Provide commercial support to bids and contract management.
• Lead contract negotiations and manage risks.
• Act as a trusted advisor to programme teams and stakeholders.

Skills

Contract negotiation

Stakeholder management

Risk assessment

Commercial creativity

Job description

Commercial Manager - Defence & Secure Communications

Location: Portsmouth (around 60% onsite)
Contract: 6-month contract
Working pattern: 37 hours per week, typically over 4.5 days (hours agreed between 7am-7pm)
Rate: £48.00 per hour Umbrella
Clearance: BPSS to start, SC clearance required at application stage
Nationality: UK nationals only
Interview process: One-stage virtual interview

The role

We're looking for an experienced Commercial Manager to support complex defence and secure communications programmes. You’ll play a central role in shaping, negotiating and managing commercial and contractual arrangements across the full project lifecycle, from bid stage through to contract delivery and closure.

This is a hands‑on role, suited to someone comfortable operating in a regulated defence environment, working closely with customers, internal delivery teams and senior stakeholders. You’ll be joining a collaborative commercial function supporting high‑value, mission‑critical programmes.

What you’ll be doing

• Providing commercial support to competitive and complex bids, requiring sound judgement and commercial creativity

• Managing a portfolio of live contracts, including high-value and long-term agreements

• Leading and supporting contract negotiations, amendments and change control activities

• Identifying, assessing and mitigating commercial risks, ensuring governance and internal procedures are followed

• Acting as a trusted commercial advisor to programme teams, procurement and senior stakeholders

• Supporting supplier‑side contract management, including flow‑down of contractual obligations and risk

• Building and maintaining strong customer relationships to ensure effective contract delivery

• Applying commercial best practice to improve efficiency, compliance and commercial outcomes

What we’re looking for

Essential experience

• Proven background in commercial or contract management roles

• Experience working in a customer‑facing environment

• Strong contract negotiation and change management capability

• Experience supporting competitive bid situations

• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence at all levels

• Understanding of project management, risk and financial principles

• Experience within defence, MOD suppliers or similarly regulated environments

• Ability to obtain and hold SC security clearance

Desirable experience

• Experience working on UK MOD contracts or government frameworks

• Knowledge of Single Source Regulations and the Defence Reform Act

• Cross‑functional experience working with engineering, finance, procurement and programme teams

• Experience delivering continuous improvement within a commercial function

Why apply

This is a strong opportunity to step into a visible, influential commercial role supporting nationally important defence programmes. You’ll be trusted with real responsibility, exposed to senior stakeholders, and supported by an experienced commercial team in a fast‑moving, professional environment.