Head of Contract Management, Defence

BT Group; Bristol; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading telecommunications company seeks a Head of Contract Management in Defence to oversee a £1 billion portfolio. This strategic role involves leading teams, managing senior stakeholders, and driving cost transformation initiatives while ensuring compliance with government standards. Candidates should have extensive commercial management experience and the ability to meet enhanced security clearance requirements.

Benefits

15% on target bonus

Private health care

Car allowance

BT Pension scheme

Equal family leave

Enhanced women’s health support

25 days annual leave

24/7 private virtual GP appointments

2 weeks paid carer’s leave

World-class training and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Track record of managing senior stakeholders in Defence or Government sectors.
• Demonstrated leadership of large, cross-functional teams.
• Eligibility for Developed Vetting (DV) enhanced security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead Defence contract management and CMO teams for operational excellence.
• Build relationships with senior stakeholders and ensure compliance.
• Drive cost transformation and oversee third-party supplier performance.

Skills

Contract Management

Commercial Acumen

Communication

P&L

Stakeholder Management

Education

Extensive experience in commercial and contract management

Job description

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Head of Contract Management, Defence

Function: Sales and Commercial

Unit: Business

Location:

Assembly, Bristol, United Kingdom

Location: your contractual base can be Bristol or London

Enhanced Security Clearance: if successful, you must be willing and able to undergo Developed Vetting (DV) level security clearance. Part of the requirements to gain this are being a resident in the UK for a minimum of 10 years.

As the Head of Contract Management, Defence, you’ll play a pivotal role in delivering exceptional value to BT’s Defence customers, while being directly accountable for a portfolio greater than £1 billion in total contract value. This is more than a leadership role—it's a unique opportunity to serve the UK’s national interests, support critical public services, and help keep the nation safe.

You’ll lead the Defence contract management and Contract Management Office (CMO) teams, ensuring BT meets its contractual obligations with precision, integrity, and strategic foresight. This role is deeply rewarding—your work will directly impact UK communities, support Government transformation, and contribute to national security.

If you're driven by purpose, thrive in complexity, and want to make a tangible difference, this is your opportunity to lead at a high level.

What you’ll be doing

• Leading and inspiring the Defence contract management and CMO teams to deliver operational excellence and strategic outcomes.
• Building and nurturing trusted relationships with senior stakeholders, including C-suite executives, sector MDs, and Defence partners.
• Providing commercial and strategic leadership across BT’s Defence portfolio virtual teams and influencing decisions at the highest levels.
• Driving cost transformation and margin optimisation initiatives to ensure long-term contract sustainability, leading to value for money for our customers.
• Overseeing the in-life performance of 100+ third-party suppliers and partners, ensuring alignment with BT’s values and customer commitments.
• Leading change control and contract evolution, identifying opportunities for innovation and growth.
• Championing contract governance (CGRs), risk management/mitigation and obligations, and financial performance across the contract lifecycle, including debt and P&L management.

The skills you’ll need

Contract Management

Commercial Acumen

Communication

P&L

Stakeholder Management

What you'll bring

• Extensive experience in commercial and contract management with a strong grasp of industry best practices.
• A track record of managing senior stakeholders in Defence or Government sectors, with the credibility to influence at the highest levels.
• Demonstrated leadership of large, cross-functional teams—creating a culture of collaboration, accountability, and inclusion.
• Strategic thinking and transformation leadership, with a history of delivering impactful change programmes.
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement and problem-solving skills, with the ability to navigate complexity and ambiguity.
• Eligibility and willingness to undergo Developed Vetting (DV) enhanced security clearance – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels/national-security-vetting-clearance-levels

What's in it for you

• 15% on target bonus
• Private health care
• Car allowance
• BT Pension scheme, minimum 5% employee contribution, BT contribution 10%
• Equal family leave: receive 18 weeks at full pay, 8 weeks at half pay and 26 weeks at the statutory rate. It’s for all parents, no matter how your family is made up.
• Enhanced women’s health support: including help with menopause symptoms, cancer screenings, period care and more.
• 25 days annual leave (not including bank holidays), increasing with service
• 24/7 private virtual GP appointments for UK colleagues
• 2 weeks paid carer’s leave
• World-class training and development opportunities
• Option to join BT Shares Saving schemes.

Why UK Sales and Commercial
In Sales and Commercial, we’re building one of the biggest and best sales teams in the country. We’ve got big ambitions to develop a team that has the right ability and will to win.
Central to our ambitions are;
Using our unparalleled expertise to bring first class solutions to market and offer a compelling value proposition to our customers that’s unmatched by our competitors
Developing a highly skilled, highly efficient sales powerhouse through competitive pricing, an optimised channel model and best in class tools
Relentless pursuit of a high-performance culture founded on clear career progression and the drive and determination to become the UK’s best sales force

Why Business

With over 175 years of heritage, BT is now the flagship business brand of BT Group. We’ve brought together our best people and capabilities into a B2B powerhouse serving 1.2 million business customers internationally.

We’re a global leader for secure connectivity and collaboration platforms for businesses of all shapes and sizes, from big household names and government departments, right through to sole traders and new start-ups. But it’s not just the technology that matters, it’s what it can do to help them build stronger, smarter, more secure businesses.

We value diversity and inclusion and believe in making a positive impact. We connect for good by championing digital inclusion and equipping people, businesses, and communities with digital skills to thrive.

As a member of our team, you will be part of an organisation that celebrates difference, fosters innovation and provides you with opportunities to be your best. With millions of businesses relying on us daily, joining BT means you can be part of a diverse and multi-skilled team that makes a significant impact to society.

Although these roles are listed as full-time, if you’re a job share partnership, work reduced hours, or any other way of working flexibly, please still get in touch.

We will also offer reasonable adjustments for the selection process if required, so please do not hesitate to inform us.

Studies have shown that women and people who are disabled, LGBTQ+, neurodiverse or from ethnic minority backgrounds are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification and criteria. We're committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace where everyone can be their best, so if you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every requirement on the Job Description, please apply anyway - you may just be the right candidate for this or other roles in our wider team.