Contracts Manager

Construction; Crawley; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private medical insurance

Annual bonus

Cycle to work scheme

Employee discounts

Volunteer day

Job summary

Thales in Crawley is seeking a Contracts Manager to join the Commercial team. You will own the full contract lifecycle for high-value contracts and bids, negotiating terms with customers including MoD and major contractors, while guiding multidisciplinary teams to delivery and closure.

The ideal candidate will bring proven contract management experience, risk awareness and strong stakeholder influencing skills. This permanent, on-site role offers growth within a dynamic, defence-forward business.

Qualifications

• Experience managing contracts across pre- and post-award phases.
• Excellent attention to detail in reviewing contracts, proposals and terms.
• Strong awareness of risk, liability and pricing considerations.
• Ability to influence stakeholders across multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead the commercial management of contracts and bids through the full lifecycle.
• Build and maintain strong customer commercial relationships across capture, bid and delivery.
• Draft, review and negotiate contracts, proposals, quotations, amendments and terms.
• Own baselines and change management, ensuring compliance and proactive guidance.
• Identify and manage commercial risk across projects and bids.

Skills

Contract management

Proposal drafting

Risk assessment

Stakeholder management

Job description

Location: Crawley, United Kingdom

Thales is a global technology leader with more than 83,000 employees on five continents. With over 7,500 people in the UK, operating across defence, space, aerospace, and digital security, we help build a future we can all trust. Thales supports the security and stability of our nation by providing extraordinary technology to our customers, as well as delivering social value to the UK with our products and services.

Contracts Manager - Job Advert

Location: Crawley
Date: 15/09/2026
Req No: R
Contract Type: Permanent
Job Category: Commercial
Location: Crawley

Contracts Manager

Thales is a global technology leader with more than 83,000 employees on five continents. With over 7,500 people in the UK, operating across defence, space, aerospace, and digital security, we help build a future we can all trust. Thales supports the security and stability of our nation by providing extraordinary technology to our customers, as well as delivering social value to the UK with our products and services.

We are looking for a Contracts Manager to join our established Commercial team within our A2IS business, based in Crawley.

This is an exciting opportunity to take ownership of a diverse portfolio of high-value contracts and bids, working with customers including the UK Ministry of Defence, leading UK prime contractors, international organisations and overseas governments. You'll play a key role throughout the full contract lifecycle, from capture and bid through to negotiation, contract award, delivery and closure, while working closely with multidisciplinary teams and senior stakeholders across the business.

As our business continues to grow rapidly, you'll have excellent opportunities to develop your commercial expertise, take on increased responsibility and progress your career within a dynamic and supportive environment.

Integrated Airspace Protection Systems (A2IS)

Our purpose is to protect and defend, creating integrated solutions that bring together insight, coordination and decisive action. We respond rapidly with systems that support detection, fire control, engagement and mission sustainment. Our expertise covers Surface Attack & Air Defence (UK), Air Defence (International), Air Operations & Services, and Space.

Main Responsibilities

• Lead the commercial management of contracts and bids throughout the full contract lifecycle, from capture and proposal development through to delivery and contract closure.
• Establish and maintain strong customer commercial relationships, ensuring commercial considerations are embedded across capture, bid and delivery activities.
• Draft, review, assess and negotiate contracts, proposals, quotations, amendments, orders and terms and conditions in line with agreed strategy and customer requirements.
• Own contractual baselines and change management, ensuring contractual compliance and providing proactive commercial guidance to integrated bid and project teams.
• Identify, assess and manage commercial risk, including contractual, liability and pricing risks, while providing commercial influence across multidisciplinary teams to support successful business outcomes.

Ideal Experience & Skills

• Proven experience in contract management across both pre-award and post-award phases, with strong contract, letter and proposal drafting and assessment skills.
• Excellent attention to detail, with the ability to identify contractual, commercial and compliance issues and develop appropriate solutions.
• Strong commercial awareness, including experience of risk management, liability assessment and pricing.
• A collaborative team player and confident communicator, able to build effective customer relationships and influence stakeholders across multidisciplinary teams.
• A proactive, self-starting approach with a strong sense of ownership and the ability to balance strategic commercial thinking with a pragmatic, delivery-focused approach.

Security Clearance Requirement

Due to the nature of the work that we do at Thales, many of our roles are subject to security restrictions. This role requires Security Clearance (SC). It would be advantageous if currently held, however, if not currently held, it is a requirement that the successful applicant undergo, achieve, and maintain SC Clearance prior to commencing employment.

To be eligible for full SC, you generally need to have resided in the UK for the last 5 years. In some circumstances, a minimum of 3 years' residence in the UK over the last 5 years may be accepted, with additional overseas checks.

Please visit the UKSV website for further guidance:

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At Thales, we ensure equal opportunities, pay and working conditions for all. The benefits we offer include private medical insurance, buying or selling annual leave, cycle to work schemes, employee discounts, paid volunteering day, stocks and shares, annual bonus and much more depending on the role. Read more about our benefits here.

We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued for who they are and the unique strengths they bring. Discover more about our programmes, employee networks, wellbeing policies, and inclusive features here.

At Thales, we ensure equal opportunities, pay and working conditions for all. The benefits we offer include private medical insurance, buying or selling annual leave, cycle to work schemes, employee discounts, paid volunteering day, stocks and shares, annual bonus and much more depending on the role. Read more about our benefits here.

We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued for who they are and the unique strengths they bring. Discover more about our programmes, employee networks, wellbeing policies, and inclusive features here.

At Thales, we ensure equal opportunities, pay and working conditions for all. The benefits we offer include private medical insurance, buying or selling annual leave, cycle to work schemes, employee discounts, paid volunteering day, stocks and shares, annual bonus and much more depending on the role. Read more about our benefits here.

We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued for who they are and the unique strengths they bring. Discover more about our programmes, employee networks, wellbeing policies, and inclusive features here.