Contract Management Specialist

Morson Talent; Stoke Gifford; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency is seeking a Contract Management Specialist for a prestigious Defence client in Bristol. This full-time role offers hybrid working and focuses on managing complex contracts in a digital transformation context. Candidates with over 5 years of relevant experience and WCC qualification are encouraged to apply. The position requires UK residency for security clearance.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in a multinational global company environment, UK defence expertise desirable.
• Thorough understanding of programme and financial contractual performance.
• Experience in defence contracting terms and conditions, including drafting and negotiating.

Responsibilities

• Support final negotiations and mobilisation of complex contracts.
• Lead and participate in proposal development and contract execution.
• Anticipate and mitigate commercial risks.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication

Negotiation

Problem solving

Cross functional partnership

Education

WCC qualification

Job description

Overview

Morson Talent are currently recruiting for a Contract Management Specialist to work on the behalf of one of our prestigious Defence clients based in Bristol. This is a contract for 6 months with possibility of extension. An exciting opportunity has become available to join our client as a Commercial Manager in the Digital business unit, focusing predominantly on a pan-defence IS transformation contract. The role is full-time based in Bristol, with hybrid working available.

Role context

This is a non-line management role within the client's Digital Commercial Team, reporting to the Digital Head of Commercial. The Digital business unit is one of 3 business units in the client, and the digital commercial team supports a portfolio of complex contracts, mainly with the UK MOD, with ongoing growth activities and long-term contracted programmes. The business growth comprises a mix of on-contract change and new business bids and proposals, in line with company growth strategy.

Across this portfolio, you will work with energetic and motivated integrated teams to deliver for our customer. The Commercial function provides value-adding business partnering in all phases of the contract lifecycle. You will play an integral role to support the portfolio and will have the opportunity to work with and support colleagues across our teams as we support a wide variety of responsibilities in a dynamic environment. You will perform typical contract management execution duties, provide expert commercial support, and exercise strong business judgment to optimise contract delivery and support the customer in leading and supporting contract change and amendment proposals of varying sizes and complexity. You may be asked to participate in and support other strategic imperatives of the overall business as we pursue growth opportunities within and outside of our existing portfolio. You will be provided with support and coaching to perform successfully and be given a set of responsibilities to work independently to develop your skills and capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Support with final negotiations and mobilisation of a complex and high-profile digital transformation and services contract.
• Support with supplier (and intercompany) flow-down, negotiation and mobilisation.
• Support, manage and/or govern the discharging of contractual obligations.
• Lead and participate in moderate complexity proposal development, negotiation, and execution of contractual agreements, including contract changes and amendments, with appropriate signature authority.
• Draft, review, interpret, and administer terms and conditions (ranging from simple to moderately complex) and other legally binding agreements.
• Support and lead internal coordination across functional areas (programme, finance, legal) to deliver commercial solutions aligned with strategic goals.
• Anticipate, interpret, and mitigate commercial risks; summarise contractual issues and propose creative, risk-aware solutions.
• Maintain effective commercial governance, ensuring compliance with Boeing Defence UK and corporate policies, applicable laws and regulations.
• Lead or support development and review of Statements of Work.
• Administer contracts and authorise company work in line with contractual requirements and corporate policy.
• Understand and apply value-for-money principles in support of customer needs while delivering against business objectives.
• Fully understand, implement and adhere to the client’s Commercial policies/procedures and ensure compliance with Corporate Policies/Procedures and all legislation, regulations and standards applicable to contracts and proposals.

Team and working style

As a mid-level member of the team you will be expected to work with autonomy and minimal supervision, albeit as part of both the Digital Commercial team and your Programme and Proposal teams. The ability to build strong effective relationships with the customer and stakeholders is vital. You’ll be expected to deliver continuous improvement that impacts the wider functions and business and you’ll be relied upon to develop and demonstrate a wide range of Commercial skills and assume positions of authority on commercial topics to provide benefit to your peers.

Commercial manager expectations

A Commercial Manager is expected to have a thorough understanding of programme and financial contractual performance for contracts, and you will be responsible for developing recommendations and solutions as well as influencing effective decision-making to meet our business goals. You will work alongside contract delivery and proposal team members and with customer counterparts, developing and maintaining respectful and effective working relationships, which is critical to success. In a matrix organisation, Commercial roles in programme and proposal teams are recognised as influential business partners with a proactive and diligent approach to securing successful business outcomes. Demonstrated technical experience and success is required in: Contract Formation, Contract Management Systems, Contract Structure Knowledge, Negotiation, Estimating Methods, Proposal Processes, Risk & Opportunity Management, Business Case Development, understanding and application of applicable legislation, regulation and standards.

Key competencies

• Analytical skills
• Business financial acumen
• Communication
• Cross functional partnership
• Customer relationship management
• Decision making
• First Time Quality
• Knowledge and skilled in defence contracting and terms & conditions - drafting, interpretation and negotiating
• Understanding of Single Source Contract Regulations
• Negotiation
• Problem solving
• Fast and effective responsiveness in a multifaceted, complex environment
• Demonstrable experience working in a matrix organisation
• Ability to handle a diverse, fast-paced, high workload
• Able to work under supervision and independently
• Experience in identifying and implementing improvement initiatives
• Effective at finding opportunities and risks and to manage them to create enhanced value for the organisation
• A positive work attitude and team building approach
• Adaptable, able to cope with changing requirements and multiple priorities and can remain effective in difficult times

Qualifications

• WCC (formerly IACCM) qualification and/or experience in associated role
• Working experience 5+ years within multinational global company environment and UK defence expertise are desirable

Employer will not sponsor applicants for employment visa status.

Security Clearance: This position requires the ability to obtain a UK security clearance for which UK residency is required.

Relocation: This position does not offer relocation. Candidates must live in the immediate area or relocate at their own expense.

If this position is of interest to you, please apply below or contact Kaisey for more information. (phone number removed) or (url removed)