Principal Commercial Officer

MBDA; Stevenage; Hybrid; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defence organisation in the UK is seeking a skilled professional to join their team, focusing on winning contracts and ensuring compliance. Responsibilities include negotiations, contract management, and stakeholder communication. Ideal candidates will have advanced negotiation skills, a strong understanding of contract law, and experience in managing complex contracts. The role offers dynamic hybrid working arrangements along with generous company benefits, including bonuses and enhanced parental leave.

Benefits

Company bonus up to £2,500

Pension contributions up to 14%

Paid overtime opportunities

Up to 15 additional days of leave

Flexible working arrangements

Enhanced parental leave

Qualifications

• Proven experience in advanced negotiations and interpersonal skills.
• Strong understanding of process and change management.
• Ability to manage high-value contracts effectively.

Responsibilities

• Be a key player in winning new contracts.
• Ensure delivery compliance and manage contract tasks.
• Communicate with stakeholders at all levels.
• Maintain relationships with customers and industry partners.

Skills

Advanced negotiation skills

Process and change management

Interpersonal skills

Managing complex contracts

Influencing skills

Understanding of contract law

Knowledge of IT and Business Tools

Tools

SAP

Job description

Salary

Circa £48,000 depending on experience

Dynamic (hybrid) working

2-3 days per week on-site due to workload classification

Security Clearance

British Citizen or a Dual UK national with British citizenship

Restrictions and/or limitations relating to nationality and/or rights to work may apply. As a minimum and after offer stage, all successful candidates will need to undergo HMG Basic Personnel Security Standard checks (BPSS), which are managed by the MBDA Personnel Security Team.

What we can offer you

• Company bonus: Up to £2,500 (based on company performance and will vary year to year)
• Pension: maximum total (employer and employee) contribution of up to 14%
• Overtime: opportunity for paid overtime
• Flexi Leave: Up to 15 additional days
• Flexible working: We welcome applicants who are looking for flexible working arrangements
• Enhanced parental leave: offers up to 26 weeks for maternity, adoption and shared parental leave -enhancements are available for paternity leave, neonatal leave and fertility testing and treatments
• Facilities: Fantastic site facilities including subsidised meals, free car parking and much more…

The opportunity

An opportunity has arisen to join an active, involved and motivated team, in a sector committed to delivering Defence Capability to the UK Armed Forces and other customers, covering aspects of the early product lifecycle and research and technology.

• Business Winning – Being a key player in the winning of new contracts, agreements and opportunities. Responsible for supporting the full Route to achieving a Contract, including the Bidding process, cross functional working to deliver inputs and generation of proposals, maximising MBDAs interest.
• Contract Delivery – Being a vital part of the delivery chain that ensures MBDA meets its promises to our customer including contract management tasks, change management, problem solving and administration.
• Negotiations – With support gaining acceptance and agreement on issues and amendments to ensure contractual compliance within agreed boundaries.
• Building and maintaining relationships with new and existing customers & industry partners, focusing on collaboration.
• Being the interface with internal and external stakeholders.
• Communicating with stakeholders at all levels, including reporting to senior management on the progress of your portfolio of work.
• Representing the commercial team in progress/reviews and/or customer meetings.
• Working under pressure to achieve deadlines.
• Day-to-day administration and maintenance of the Commercial Information Systems.
• Promotes best practice and functional excellence.

What we're looking for from you

• Advanced negotiation skills and interpersonal skills.
• Good process and change management.
• Experience of managing more complex, high value contracts.
• Effective team behaviours, influencing and team working skills.
• Experienced in a broad range of commercial issues and skills including contract management skills throughout the contract lifecycle.
• Commercial understanding from customer through to supplier.
• Awareness and practical applicability of Intellectual Property and its protection.
• Good understanding of contract law and its applicability.
• Ability to draft or modify terms and conditions.
• Understanding Liabilities and mitigating Risk.
• Awareness of Import and Export restrictions and licencing requirements.
• Ability to understand and use pricing and costing models.
• Good Knowledge of IT and Business Tools including SAP

Our company: Peace is not a given, Freedom is not a given, Sovereignty is not a given

MBDA is a leading defence organisation. We are proud of the role we play in supporting the Armed Forces who protect our nations. We partner with governments to work together towards a common goal, defending our freedom.

We are proud of our employee‑led networks, examples include: Gender Equality, Pride, Menopause Matters, Parents and Carers, Armed Forces, Ethnic Diversity, Neurodiversity, Disability and more…

We recognise that everyone is unique, and we encourage you to speak to us should you require any advice, support or adjustments throughout our recruitment process.

Follow us on LinkedIn (MBDA), X (@MBDA_UK), Instagram (MBDA_UK) and Glassdoor or visit our MBDA Careers website for more information.