Contract Manager

Copello; Tewkesbury; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A contracting firm in England is seeking two experienced Contract Managers to oversee complex civil and military contracting activities. The role involves managing contracts through their lifecycle, providing guidance on compliance with regulations, and engaging with internal and external stakeholders. Ideal candidates will have 3-5 years of experience in contract management and a strong understanding of regulatory frameworks. This is a six-month contract requiring on-site work for four days a week, offering a competitive hourly rate.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years' experience in contract management for civil, government, and/or international environments.
• Experience in commercial B2B contracts and military contracts.
• Strong background in contract lifecycle management in client-facing settings.

Responsibilities

• Manage contracts across the full contract lifecycle, ensuring compliance and alignment with objectives.
• Support proposal strategy, pricing strategies, and contract negotiations.
• Provide guidance on compliance with FAR, DFARS, and government contracting regulations.

Skills

Contract management experience

Negotiation skills

Stakeholder engagement

Regulatory compliance knowledge

Job description

Copello are seeking two experienced Contract Managers to support complex business-to-business civil contracting and US Government military contracting activities. The roles will provide commercial and contractual leadership across multiple businesses and product lines, managing contracts through the full lifecycle — from proposal strategy and contract formation through execution, sustainment, and close-out.

The Contract Managers will act as trusted advisors to internal stakeholders and external customers, providing guidance on customer relationships, contract terms, regulatory compliance, risk mitigation, and scope management in a highly regulated defence environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage contracts across the full contract lifecycle, from proposal strategy and bid support through award, execution, sustainment, and close-out
• Support pre- and post-contract award activities, including proposal reviews, pricing strategies, and contract negotiations
• Act as the primary commercial interface for civil customers and US Government military clients
• Provide expert guidance on contract terms and conditions, regulatory obligations, and commercial risk
• Ensure compliance with FAR, DFARS, and applicable UK and international contracting regulations
• Assess, interpret, and apply FAR & DFARS requirements, including flow-down and compliance obligations
• Oversee contract performance across multiple businesses and product lines, ensuring alignment with commercial and operational objectives
• Lead and support negotiations, contract changes, and scope management activities
• Manage commercial issues, including change management, claims preparation, disputes, and resolution
• Identify and mitigate contractual, financial, and regulatory risks
• Maintain strong, professional customer relationships within a client-facing environment
• Collaborate closely with legal, finance, programme management, and operational teams

Essential Skills & Experience

• 3-5 years' experience in contract management within civil, government, and/or international contracting environments
• Demonstrable experience supporting both commercial B2B contracts and government / military contracts
• Strong experience across pre- and post-award contract execution
• Proven capability in negotiation, management of commercial issues, and stakeholder engagement
• Experience handling change management, claims, and disputes
• Strong understanding of contract lifecycle management in complex, client-facing environments
• Ability to manage multiple priorities across diverse business units and product lines

Regulatory & Technical Expertise

• Strong working knowledge of Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR)
• Specific expertise in FAR Parts 12 and 15
• Experience assessing and applying FAR & DFARS requirements, including compliance and flow-down obligations
• Understanding of defence and government contracting compliance frameworks

Role will require 4 days on site and is paying an hourly rate of up to £80 per hour (inside IR35). Role is initially a 6 month contract.