Commercial Manager

Jonathan Lee Recruitment Ltd; Thatcham; Hybrid; GBP 76,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency is seeking an experienced Commercial Manager for a role based in Maidenhead. You will oversee all commercial matters, including contract management and negotiation within the defence and cyber security sectors. Candidates should have a strong background in commercial roles and be able to obtain SC security clearance. This position offers a competitive salary and hybrid working opportunities, along with various benefits.

Benefits

Private medical cover

25 days holiday + bank holidays

Company pension scheme

Flexible hours

Cycle-to-work scheme

Qualifications

• Strong experience in commercial management within regulated industries.
• Ability to negotiate and influence stakeholders effectively.
• Experience managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Act as the day‑to‑day commercial interface for assigned contracts.
• Provide full commercial input to bids and proposals.
• Lead negotiations with customers, suppliers, and subcontractors.

Skills

Strong experience reviewing and negotiating complex contractual documentation

Good understanding of contract law

Excellent commercial awareness

Strong communicator

Highly organised

Proficient user of MS Office

Education

Degree in Law, Business, Economics or related discipline

Tools

Relevant commercial tools

Job description

Commercial Manager

Salary: Up to A£76,000 + 10% bonus

Location: Maidenhead (Hybrid - 3 days from home, 2 days on-site)

Industry: Defence / Cyber Security

Are you an experienced Commercial Manager looking for a high‑impact role within a cutting‑edge defence and cyber security environment? This is a rare opportunity to join a market‑leading organisation that supports national security and critical global operations.

The Role - Commercial Manager

As the Commercial Manager, you will be a key point of contact for all commercial and contractual matters. You'll support bid activity, negotiate terms with customers and suppliers, assess commercial risk, and ensure the business is fully protected through robust governance and contract management.

You’ll work across the full commercial lifecycle—bids, proposals, contract drafting, negotiation, change control, and ongoing commercial oversight of major programmes.

Due to the nature of the work, candidates must be able to obtain SC security clearance (British citizens only, with 5 years UK residency).

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the day‑to‑day commercial interface for assigned contracts
• Provide full commercial input to bids, proposals and customer submissions
• Identify commercial risks and implement effective mitigation strategies
• Ensure contractual obligations are communicated to internal stakeholders
• Support change control, contract variations and issue resolution
• Lead negotiations with customers, suppliers and subcontractors
• Draft, review and amend a wide range of contractual documents
• Support the protection of intellectual property and compliance obligations
• Work closely with project, engineering and trade compliance teams
• Help develop and improve commercial processes and best practices

Essential

• Strong experience reviewing and negotiating complex contractual documentation
• Good understanding of contract law
• Background in Defence, Aerospace or similarly regulated technical industry
• Experience working in both customer‑facing and supplier‑facing roles
• Excellent commercial awareness, attention to detail and risk understanding
• Strong communicator with the ability to influence stakeholders
• Highly organised, self‑motivated and able to work independently
• Confident managing multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment
• Proficient user of MS Office and relevant commercial tools

Desirable

• Knowledge of export control regulations
• Experience within procurement
• Degree in Law, Business, Economics or related discipline
• CIPS, WCC or other commercial/contract management qualification

Benefits

• Up to A£80,000 base salary + 10% annual bonus
• Private medical cover
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays (option to buy additional days)
• 4 × life assurance
• Company pension scheme
• Flexible hours with potential for early Friday finish
• Hybrid working – 3 days at home, 2 on‑site
• Additional flexible benefits including cycle‑to‑work scheme