Commercial Manager

MBDA UK Ltd; Stevenage; Hybrid; GBP 62,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company Bonus up to 21% of base salary

Pension up to 14% total contribution

Flexible working

Enhanced parental leave

Facilities on site

Job summary

MBDA UK Ltd in Stevenage is seeking a Commercial Manager to own the full lifecycle of domestic commercial contracts—from bidding and negotiation to execution and closure. Salary is Circa £62,000 - £70,000 with hybrid working (2-3 days on-site).

A British citizen or dual UK national with BPSS checks is required. The role offers performance bonuses up to 21%, a strong pension contribution, and flexible working arrangements.

Qualifications

• Proven experience of commercial work within a defence environment.
• Experience of drafting, negotiating and agreeing contracts and agreements.
• Excellent attention to detail and strong analytical skills.
• Ability to manage multiple contracts simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
• A strategic thinker, supporting the overall business objectives for growth and innovation (UK and International).
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Management – engagement at senior management levels in the business and line management responsibility for more junior members of the team.
• Work within various multi-functional Project teams contributing to the overall company business plan, safeguarding MBDA's business interests and knowing that you are making a real difference.
• Lead the Route to Contract during the Bidding process, including drafting and reviewing proposals, terms & conditions, contracts and pricing strategy.
• Lead the negotiation of all contracts, agreements and commercial issues ensuring alignment with company objectives.
• Oversee the commercial management of contracts throughout their life cycle, including amendments, reviews and closure.
• Ensure all contracts comply with applicable laws, regulations, company policies and governance (ITAR, EAR and defence standards).
• Identify risks and opportunities with bids and contracts and develop mitigation strategies with relevant departments.
• Serve as primary customer-facing contact for commercial matters and coordinate with internal/external stakeholders.

Skills

Defence sector experience

Contract drafting

Negotiation skills

Attention to detail

Multi-contract management

Job description

As a Commercial Manager, you are responsible for managing the entire lifecycle of Domestic Commercial contracts, from bidding and negotiation to execution, and closure

Salary: Circa £62,000 - £70,000 depending on experience

Dynamic (hybrid) working: 2-3 days per week on-site due to workload classification

Security Clearance: British Citizen or Dual UK national with British citizenship. Restrictions and/or limitations relating to nationality and/or rights to work may apply. As a minimum and after offer stage, all successful candidates will need to undergo HMG Basic Personnel Security Standard checks (BPSS), managed by the MBDA Personnel Security Team.

What we can offer you

• Company Bonus: Bonus of up to 21% of base salary
• Pension: Maximum total (employer and employee) contribution of up to 14%
• Flexible working: We welcome applicants who are looking for flexible working arrangements
• Enhanced parental leave: Offers up to 26 weeks for maternity, adoption and shared parental leave – enhancements are available for paternity leave, neonatal leave and fertility testing and treatments
• Facilities: Fantastic site facilities including subsidised meals, free car parking and much more...

The opportunity

• Management – engagement at senior management levels in the business and line management responsibility for more junior members of the team.
• You will have the opportunity to work within various multi-functional Project teams contributing to the overall company business plan, safeguarding MBDA's business interests and knowing that you are making a real difference.
• Business Winning – Responsible for the full Route to Contract, including being the driving force during the Bidding process, taking responsibility for all the commercial aspects and ensuring cross‑functional working to deliver robust and timely bids. This includes drafting and reviewing proposals, terms and conditions, contracts and pricing strategy.
• Contract Negotiation – Lead the negotiation of all contracts, agreements and commercial issues ensuring alignment with company objectives and ensuring contractual compliance.
• Contract Management – Being a vital part of the delivery chain that ensures MBDA meets its promises to our customers. Oversee the commercial management of contracts throughout their life cycle ensuring all contractual obligations are met. This includes contract amendments, reviewing contract deliverables, document marking and contract closure.
• Compliance – Ensure that all contracts comply with applicable laws, regulations, company policies and governance, including ITAR, EAR and other relevant defence industry standards.
• Risk and Opportunity Management – Identify potential risks and opportunities associated with bids and contracts and work with various departments to develop mitigation strategies.
• Stakeholder Communication – Customer-facing and serving as the primary point of contact for commercial matters, providing guidance to internal stakeholders and liaising with external clients and partners to agree and resolve any commercial issues.
• Reporting – Provide regular updates and reports to senior management on bids, contract status, key risks and any significant issues that could impact the business.
• Contract Dispute Resolution – Manage and resolve contract‑related disputes in collaboration with legal and other relevant departments, ensuring swift and effective resolution.

What we're looking for from you

• Proven experience of commercial work within a defence environment.
• Experience of drafting, negotiating and agreeing contracts and agreements.
• Excellent attention to detail and strong analytical skills.
• Ability to manage multiple contracts simultaneously in a fast‑paced environment.
• A strategic thinker, supporting the overall business objectives for growth and innovation (UK and International).
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with cross‑functional teams.
• An accountable self‑starter. Modelling the MBDA values and leading others to be accountable.
• Leadership and line management experience.
• Familiarity with MoD contracting structure, including DEFCONs and QDCs, would be preferred.