Commercial Manager

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

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency in the UK is seeking an experienced Commercial Manager to join a market-leading organization in the Defence industry. The role involves managing contracts, assessing risks, and supporting negotiations. The ideal candidate will have strong experience in contract negotiation and a solid understanding of contract law. This position offers a competitive salary, hybrid working, and various benefits.

Benefits

Private medical cover

25 days holiday + bank holidays

Flexible hours

Qualifications

• Strong experience reviewing and negotiating complex contractual documentation.
• Good understanding of contract law.
• Background in Defence, Aerospace or similarly regulated technical industry.

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.

Skills

Commercial awareness

Contract negotiation

Attention to detail

Risk understanding

Stakeholder communication

Education

Degree in Law, Business, Economics or related discipline

CIPS, WCC or other commercial/contract management qualification

Tools

MS Office

Relevant commercial tools

Job description

Commercial Manager

Salary: Up to £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 support 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 resolutionLead negotiations with customers, suppliers and subcontractors
• Draft, review and amend a wide range of contractual documents
• Support the protection of intellectual property & 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 £80,000 base salary +10% annual bonus
• Private medical cover
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays (option to buy additional days)
• 4 x 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

Your CV will be forwarded to Jonathan Lee Recruitment, a leading engineering and manufacturing recruitment consultancy established in 1978. The services advertised by Jonathan Lee Recruitment are those of an Employment Agency.
In order for your CV to be processed effectively, please ensure your name, email address, phone number and location (post code OR town OR county, as a minimum) are included.