Commercial Manager - Defence, 6 month-contract

Matchtech Group; England; On-site; GBP 92,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Matchtech Group invites applications for a Commercial Manager / Contracts Manager role within the defence sector. The position covers contract management, negotiations and governance on a 6‑month contract with occasional on-site presence in Oxfordshire.

The role focuses on protecting commercial interests, maximising profitability and minimising risk while developing customer relationships and coordinating with major subcontractors and internal teams.

Qualifications

• Significant commercial and contracts experience, including drafting and interpreting contracts, pricing proposals and contract management.
• Proven experience negotiating complex, high-value contracts and maximising value through robust commercial management.
• Experience supporting or leading commercial dispute resolution.
• Experience working within collaborative programmes or long‑term partnering arrangements.
• Understanding of commercial governance with experience developing or improving commercial processes, procedures and systems.
• Ability to lead cross-functional commercial activities and deliver successful outcomes.
• Strong negotiation, communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Comfortable working with complex contractual issues and ambiguity while maintaining attention to detail.
• Ability to understand wider business drivers and balance commercial opportunity against contractual risk.
• Experience working with and interpreting advice from external legal advisers.

Responsibilities

• Implement commercial strategy and provide commercial support across an assigned business area.
• Provide contractual interpretation and guidance for complex customer and supplier contracts.
• Manage customer and major subcontractor contracts robustly, focusing on maximising value and minimising commercial risk.
• Deliver a portfolio of contract changes in accordance with established change management and commercial governance processes.
• Lead contract negotiations and support the management and resolution of commercial disputes.
• Engage with external legal advisers and other specialists where required.
• Support Supply Chain colleagues on contractual and commercial matters.
• Build strong working relationships with customers, key subcontractors, internal teams and wider stakeholders.
• Support the development and continuous improvement of commercial policies, processes and procedures.
• Potentially manage and develop Commercial Officers, including providing support and escalation during negotiations and disputes.

Skills

Commercial experience

Contract management

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Dispute resolution

Governance

Supply chain

Job description

A fantastic opportunity for a Commercial Manager has arisen to join a leading organisation operating within the defence sector on an initial 6-month contract. You'll take responsibility for commercial management activities across a key business area, protecting commercial interests, maximising profitability and minimising contractual risk while developing strong and collaborative customer relationships.

This is a varied commercial role covering complex contract management, contract changes, negotiations, dispute resolution and commercial governance. You'll work closely with customers, major subcontractors, supply chain and internal stakeholders, providing commercial expertise across the business.

• Role - Commercial Manager - DEFENCE
• Location - Oxfordshire (1-2 days onsite per week)
• Type - 6 Month contract, inside IR35
• Rate - £500-£650 p/day

Key responsibilities of the Commercial Manager / Contracts Manager role and not limited to:

• Implement commercial strategy and provide commercial support across an assigned business area.
• Provide contractual interpretation and guidance for complex customer and supplier contracts.
• Manage customer and major subcontractor contracts robustly, focusing on maximising value and minimising commercial risk.
• Deliver a portfolio of contract changes in accordance with established change management and commercial governance processes.
• Lead contract negotiations and support the management and resolution of commercial disputes.
• Engage with external legal advisers and other specialists where required.
• Support Supply Chain colleagues on contractual and commercial matters.
• Build strong working relationships with customers, key subcontractors, internal teams and wider stakeholders.
• Support the development and continuous improvement of commercial policies, processes and procedures.
• Potentially manage and develop Commercial Officers, including providing support and escalation during negotiations and disputes.

Key skills and experience required for Commercial Manager / Contracts Manager and not limited to:

• Significant commercial and contracts experience, including drafting and interpreting contracts, pricing proposals and contract management.
• Proven experience negotiating complex, high-value contracts and maximising value through robust commercial management.
• Experience supporting or leading commercial dispute resolution.
• Experience working within collaborative programmes or long-term partnering arrangements.
• Understanding of commercial governance with experience developing or improving commercial processes, procedures and systems.
• Ability to lead cross-functional commercial activities and deliver successful outcomes.
• Strong negotiation, communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Comfortable working with complex contractual issues and ambiguity while maintaining excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to understand wider business drivers and balance commercial opportunity against contractual risk.
• Experience working with and interpreting advice from external legal advisers.

To apply for this Commercial Manager / Contracts Manager / Senior Commercial Officer / Commercial Contracts Manager / Contract Manager / Defence Commercial Manager role, candidates must be eligible to live and work in the UK.