Contracts Manager

Leonardo; Basildon; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous leave including flexi-days

Reward-winning pension scheme

Free access to mental health support

Bonus scheme for eligible employees

Access to online courses

Financial reward for referrals

Annual flexible benefits budget

Flexible working options

Job summary

A leading defense contractor is seeking a professional for a permanent role in Basildon. This position involves providing strategic oversight to contracts, drafting complex terms, and leading bid activities within the Mission Systems sector. Candidates should have a solid understanding of contract law and experience with UK Government contracts. The role offers flexible working arrangements and a range of generous benefits, including a reward-winning pension scheme, mental health support, and an annual flexible benefits budget.

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of contract law and its application.
• Experience working with UK Government and international contracts.
• Excellent organizational skills – adept at prioritising and managing diverse tasks.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic oversight to contracts and bid activities.
• Draft and negotiate complex contractual terms.
• Lead the creation of clear correspondence and proposals.

Skills

Contract law understanding

Experience with UK Government contracts

Stakeholder advocacy

Commercial strategy execution

Excellent organizational skills

Risk identification and mitigation

Effective communication skills

Background in contract management

Job description

Job Overview

Exciting opportunity to join Leonardo’s Commercial team within the Integrated Sensing & Protection (ISP) line of business, a major growth area with ambitious short‑to‑medium‑term targets.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and tactical oversight to contracts and bid activities within the Mission Systems sector.
• Draft, negotiate and administer complex contractual terms, working with Procurement and subcontractors to ensure smooth flow of obligations.
• Document and brief commercial strategy plans, securing necessary approvals and leveraging opportunities for optimal outcomes.
• Prepare accurate, compliant pricing for customers using appropriate pricing models and cost estimates.
• Lead the creation of clear correspondence, obtaining stakeholder input as required.
• Draft and review agreements such as Non‑Disclosure Agreements, Software Licensing Agreements and Memorandums of Understanding.
• Provide commercial leadership and administration for projects and contracts, including change‑control management, performance monitoring and risk mitigation.
• Prepare proposals for submission to customers, coordinating internal documentation to obtain bid approval.
• Build and maintain mutually beneficial relationships with colleagues and customers to deliver value to the company.
• Manage workload, highlight priority areas, and effectively handle stakeholder and customer expectations.

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of contract law and its application.
• Experience working with UK Government and international contracts.
• Proven ability to advocate at senior organisational levels.
• Track record of developing and executing complex commercial strategies that drive stakeholder and customer success.
• Flexible mindset with an adaptable approach to new challenges.
• Excellent organisational skills – adept at prioritising, managing diverse tasks across a portfolio and communicating effectively with key stakeholders.
• Detailed knowledge of business finance, profit and loss, margin, markup, escalation and foreign exchange.
• Strong ability to identify commercial risks and implement mitigation strategies.
• Trusted relationship builder with cross‑functional colleagues, customers and suppliers.
• Excellent written, oral and presentation communication skills.
• Background in commercial business winning and contract management within the Aerospace and Defence sector.
• Experience collaborating and partnering with other companies, and leading direct line‑management responsibilities.

Security Clearance

This role requires pre‑employment screening in line with the UK Government’s Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). Additional Personnel Security Controls may apply, including National Security Vetting (NSV) and potentially The Security Check (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV).

Benefits

• Generous leave, up to 12 flexi‑days per year.
• Reward‑winning pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution.
• Free access to mental health support, financial advice and employee‑led inclusive networks.
• Bonus scheme for employees at management level and below.
• Free access to 4,000+ online courses via Coursera and LinkedIn Learning.
• Financial reward for referrals through the company referral programme.
• Annual £500 flexible benefits budget for private healthcare, dental, family cover, tech & lifestyle discounts and gym memberships.
• Flexible working – hybrid, with semi‑regular on‑site attendance and part‑time options for suitable roles.

Location and Working Arrangements

Permanent role based at the Basildon site (GB). Hybrid working model with some home working and required on‑site presence semi‑regularly.