Launch Services Contracts Manager

CleanTech Talent; Glasgow; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Visa sponsorship

Relocation package

On-site team environment

Growth opportunity

Competitive compensation

Job summary

CleanTech Talent is partnering with a world-leading space technology business in Glasgow to recruit a Launch Services Contracts Manager who will own launch services sourcing and commercial strategy. This is an on-site role with strategic autonomy and cross-functional collaboration across engineering and programme teams.

You will report to the Director and operate as a senior individual contributor, shaping governance, compliance, and continuous improvement in a fast-moving, high-growth

Qualifications

• Experience in launch market or senior commercial/procurement roles within aerospace, defence, or space sectors.
• Solid commercial and contractual background.
• Experience owning a strategic category end-to-end.
• Analytical and strategic capability.
• Negotiation, influencing, and stakeholder management at senior levels.
• Experience collaborating with engineering and programme teams on complex products.

Responsibilities

• Own Launch Services Strategy & Market Intelligence.
• Develop Commercial Frameworks & negotiate.
• Collaborate with stakeholders across functions.
• Governance, Compliance & Continuous Improvement.
• Partner with engineering and programme teams on complex products.
• Represent on-site with the team in Glasgow.

Skills

Procurement

Strategic sourcing

Commodity management

Commercial contracting

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Job description

Visa Sponsorship & Relocation - Full visa sponsorship and a relocation package available for the right candidate

CleanTech Talent is supporting a world leading innovative space technology business in the search for a Launch Services Contracts Manager to take ownership of launch services sourcing and commercial strategy.

This is a rare opportunity to own a strategic, commercially complex category end-to-end at a critical growth phase, with real autonomy and real results.

You'll operate as a senior individual contributor, reporting to the Director. You'll combine strategic commodity management, sophisticated commercial negotiation, and close technical collaboration, in a role that is fully based on-site with the team.

This role will suit someone who is self-motivated and comfortable operating with autonomy in a fast-moving, high growth environment. Be a collaborative team player with solid interpersonal skills and ability to build trusted relationships.

What You'll Own:

• Launch Services Strategy & Market Intelligence
• Commercial Frameworks & Negotiation
• Stakeholder Collaboration
• Governance, Compliance & Continuous Improvement

Key requirements:

• Procurement, strategic sourcing, commodity management, or commercial contracting
• Direct experience of the launch market, OR a comparable senior commercial or procurement role within aerospace, defence, or space sectors
• Solid commercial and contractual background
• Demonstrable experience owning a strategic category or commodity end-to-end
• Analytical and strategic capability
• Negotiation, influencing, and stakeholder management skills; confidence operating at senior levels with suppliers, leadership, and cross-functional teams
• Translate complex contractual and commercial issues into practical, well-evidenced business recommendations
• Experience working alongside engineering and programme teams on technically complex products and programmes

Particularly relevant:

• Familiarity with launch services agreements, rideshare and aggregator models, and launch integration processes.
• Working knowledge of export control regimes (ITAR, EAR, UK/EU dual-use) and trade compliance in a space or defence context.
• Experience with launch insurance, liability allocation and cross-waiver arrangements.

What's in it for you?

• Competitive Compensation - Salary £70,000 - £95,000 (negotiable based on experience and background - Comprehensive benefits package
• Visa Sponsorship & Relocation - Full visa sponsorship and a relocation package available for the right candidate, making this an accessible move for international talent
• Space Industry Perks - Name Your Satellite Program (NYSP) – sponsor and name an actual satellite mission you help launch - Launch attendance – experience a real satellite launch in action - Generous time off policy and work-life balance - Education and professional development support
• Glasgow - One of Europe's leading small satellite manufacturing hubs, with strong links to the UK Space Agency, ESA programmes and the wider UK space and defence sector - Dynamic, collaborative, on-site team environment
• Growth Opportunity - Join a world-leading space technology company at a critical growth phase - Real autonomy and accountability as an individual contributor - Strategic role with impact on company growth and competitiveness