Senior Commercial Manager

Leonardo; Luton; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen at a leading international company in the Aerospace and Defence sector for a commercial management role within Electronic Warfare. In this position, you will play a crucial role in managing contracts, leading a team of commercial professionals, and developing new business prospects in UK and international markets. With a strong focus on complex contracts and compliance, you will be instrumental in delivering strategic leadership and ensuring the success of commercial operations.

Benefits

Generous leave with additional flexi-days

Award-winning pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution

Free access to mental health support and financial advice

Online courses via Coursera and LinkedIn Learning

Flexible working hours with hybrid options

Financial reward for referral programme

Annual spending allowance on flexible benefits

Qualifications

• Successful track record in commercial management ideally in Aerospace and Defence.
• Experience with high value contracts and leading a successful team.
• Understanding of Export Control and Compliance including UK Export and ITAR.

Responsibilities

• Accountable for Contracts Management leadership and commercial strategy.
• Negotiate complex arrangements and manage the commercial approval process.
• Develop innovative partnering strategies to support new business opportunities.

Skills

Collaboration

Communication

Planning

Problem Solving

Decision Making

Continuous Improvement

Education

Degree or professional qualification (e.g., WCC)

Job description

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Do you have Commercial experience in the Aerospace and Defence Sector? Are you looking for a new opportunity to take on a new exciting role within a team?

Do you want to work for an integrated and dynamic industrial entity, focused on Aerospace, Defence and Security, at the forefront of technology and launched towards the industry of the future?

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of the Commercial team at Leonardo, within Electronic Warfare (EW), which is a major growth area with ambitious targets over the short to medium term.

Reporting directly to the Vice President Commercial, EW the role interfaces with an array of customers, various internal functions and integrated project teams (IPTs), managing a portfolio of contracts and supporting the development of new business opportunities in UK and international markets for the Integrated Mission Systems (IMS) Sector. In addition, the role includes the management and professional development of a team of commercial people. As part of the EW Commercial function, you will work collaboratively with your peers to deliver functional commercial objectives and strategy.

You will have a successful track record in a commercial management capacity ideally in the Aerospace and Defence Sector, have experience working with complex and high value contracts and demonstrate the ability to lead and manage a successful team.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

Accountable for Contracts Management leadership in the Integrated Mission Systems Sector; providing end to end commercial support with full accountability for commercial strategy and direction in the Sector.

Provide specialist knowledge of domain specific contract forms and terms, together with industry norms and legal parameters, for contract drafting and negotiation and for safeguarding the interests of the company.

Provide advice, guidance and leadership in customer and people management with the development of professional competencies for the requirements of the function.

Ensure all necessary corporate governance (lifecycle management (LCM)) is adhered to; in particular, managing the commercial approval process for bids and agreements and obtaining business approvals in line with delegated authority to meet business objectives.

Negotiate complex arrangements, including planning and creating negotiation strategies, agreements, resolving any complex issues and impasses

Apply best practice contract management tools and techniques to ensure contractual obligations are managed and adhered to throughout life of the contract.

Apply best practice commercial management to support the development of opportunities and delivery of proposals that balance customer requirements and commercial risk.

Develop innovative partnering and collaboration strategies and agreements in support of new business opportunities

WHAT YOU'LL BRING:

Has a Degree, professional qualification (such as WCC) and/or significant defence contracting experience

Proven collaboration, communication, planning, problem solving, decision making and continuous improvement skills

Proven ability to engage and influence cross-functional/cross site teams.

Proven experience in leading and developing a team of commercial professionals

Demonstrated experience with Lifecycle Management and business processes

Demonstrated experience of delivering strategic leadership

Understanding of Export Control and Compliance including UK Export and ITAR.

Will travel in the UK and overseas as required

It would be nice if you had:

Detailed understanding of Leonardo markets, products, customers and suppliers

Understanding of Export Control and Compliance including UK Export and ITAR.

Security Clearance

This role is subject to pre-employment screening in line with the UK Government’s Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). An additional range of Personnel Security Controls referred to as National Security Vetting (NSV) may apply, this could include meeting the eligibility requirements for The Security Check (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV). For more information and guidance please visit:

At Leonardo, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We offer a comprehensive, company-funded benefits package that supports your wellbeing, career development, and work–life balance. Whether you're looking to grow professionally, care for your health, or plan for the future, we’re here to help you thrive.

Time to Recharge: Enjoy generous leave with the opportunity to accrue up to 12 additional flexi-days each year.

Secure your Future: Benefit from our award-winning pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution.

Your Wellbeing Matters: Free access to mental health support, financial advice, and employee-led networks championing inclusion and diversity (Enable, Pride, Equalise, Armed Forces, Carers, Wellbeing and Ethnicity).

Rewarding Performance: All employees at management level and below are eligible for our bonus scheme.

Never Stop Learning: Free access to 4,000+ online courses via Coursera and LinkedIn Learning.

Refer a friend: Receive a financial reward through our referral programme.

Tailored Perks: Spend up to £500 annually on flexible benefits including private healthcare, dental, family cover, tech & lifestyle discounts, gym memberships and more.

Flexible working: Flexible hours with hybrid working options. For part time opportunities, please talk to us about what might be possible for this role.

For a full list of our company benefits please visit our website.

Leonardo is a global leader in Aerospace, Defence, and Security. Headquartered in Italy, we employ over 53,000 people worldwide including 8,500 across 9 sites in the UK. Our employees are not just part of a team—they are key contributors to shaping innovation, advancing technology, and enhancing global safety.

At Leonardo we are committed to building an inclusive, accessible, and welcoming workplace. We believe that a diverse workforce sparks creativity, drives innovation, and leads to better outcomes for our people and our customers. If you have any accessibility requirements to support you during the recruitment process, just let us know.