Commercial Manager – Defence

BAE Systems; Portsmouth; Hybrid; GBP 63,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defence contractor in Portsmouth seeks a Commercial Manager to provide strategic guidance, negotiate contracts, and develop stakeholder relationships. This role requires extensive experience in the military/defence sector and a strong understanding of commercial principles. The ideal candidate will thrive in a flexible work environment, contributing to impactful product development.

Benefits

Competitive pension scheme

Employee share plans

Discounted health and lifestyle benefits

Annual incentive eligibility

Qualifications

• Proven experience gained from a range of Commercial roles within the military/defence sector.
• Strong knowledge of Commercial principles, techniques, and practices.
• Basic understanding of contract law and negotiation.

Responsibilities

• Provide commercial models and guidance for campaigns.
• Lead negotiations and develop pricing strategies.
• Develop relationships with stakeholders at all levels.

Skills

Experience in military/defence sector

Knowledge of commercial principles

Understanding of contract law

Ability to negotiate terms

Comfortable in flexible environments

Job description

Job Title: Commercial Manager – Defence

Location: Portsmouth Broad Oak. We offer a range of hybrid and flexible working arrangements – please speak to your recruiter about the options for this particular role.

Salary: Circa £63,000 depending on skills and experience plus 10% performance related bonus scheme

What you’ll be doing:

• Working as a key part of the Future Products team and will require the candidate to be able to operate at both a strategic and tactical level by providing fit for purpose commercial models and guidance to a range of campaigns and programmes

• Providing hands on commercial leadership to complex and challenging commercial and contractual issues including the leading of negotiations, developing pricing and business winning strategies and obtaining internal approvals up to a senior board level

• Playing an active and hands on role in the management and development of the wider Commercial function across the Maritime & land Defence Solutions business and the wider corporation

• Developing and maintaining excellent working relationships with both internal and external customers and stakeholders at all levels

Your skills and experiences:

• Proven experience gained from a range of Commercial roles within the military/defence sector

• Strong knowledge of Commercial principles, techniques, and practices, with an understanding of how these roles support wider organisational objectives

• Basic understanding of contract law, Defence Conditions and the ability to negotiate terms and conditions

• Comfortable operating in a flexible working environment, engaging with diverse teams

Benefits:

As well as a competitive pension scheme, BAE Systems also offers employee share plans, an extensive range of flexible discounted health, wellbeing and lifestyle benefits, including a green car scheme, private health plans and shopping discounts – you may also be eligible for an annual incentive.

The Products commercial team:

A trusted, close-knit team of 29 commercial professionals delivering expert business advice, balancing opportunity and risk, with global reach and unmatched career growth across BAE Systems.

Defence Solutions is a dynamic, fast-growing business where you can make a real impact and showcase your capabilities as part of our ambitious growth journey.

As Commercial Manager, you’ll lead cutting-edge product development across a diverse portfolio, tackling real customer challenges and making that lasting impact.

Why BAE Systems?

This is a place where you’ll be able to make a real difference. You’ll be part of an inclusive culture that values diversity of thought, rewards integrity, and merit, and where you’ll be empowered to fulfil your potential. We welcome people from all backgrounds and want to make sure that our recruitment processes are as inclusive as possible. If you have a disability or health condition (for example dyslexia, autism, an anxiety disorder etc.) that may affect your performance in certain assessment types, please speak to your recruiter about potential reasonable adjustments.

Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.

Closing Date: 15th August 2025 – Interviews will take place W/C 25/08/2025

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

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