Senior Defence Contracts Leader

Thales Group; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance-related bonus

Car cash allowance

Half day every Friday

28 days annual leave

Private healthcare

Pension scheme

Life cover

24/7 Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

Thales Group in Reading seeks a Senior Contracts Manager to lead contractual and commercial aspects of complex bids, proposals and contract negotiations, ensuring robust outcomes. Build relationships with customers, partners and internal stakeholders through the contract lifecycle.

You will identify and manage commercial risks, provide guidance on governance and compliance, and mentor colleagues within the Legal & Contracts function, supporting strategic bids and programme delivery across

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience managing and negotiating complex commercial contracts within a regulated or technically complex industry.
• Strong commercial acumen balancing risk, objectives and customer relationships.
• Excellent negotiation, communication and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the contractual and commercial aspects of complex bids, proposals and contract negotiations, ensuring commercially robust outcomes.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with customers, partners, subcontractors and internal stakeholders throughout the contract lifecycle.
• Identify, assess and manage commercial and contractual risks, developing effective mitigation strategies to support successful programme delivery.
• Provide commercial guidance to bid and project teams, including contract interpretation, governance and compliance with company policies and procedures.
• Support and influence strategic business decisions while mentoring colleagues and contributing to the continuous development of the Legal & Contracts function.

Skills

Contract negotiation

Bid management

Stakeholder management

Risk assessment

Commercial contracts

Governance & compliance

Education

WorldCC Advanced Practitioner

CIPS

Job description

Thales Group in Reading seeks a Senior Contracts Manager to lead contractual and commercial aspects of complex bids, proposals and contract negotiations, ensuring robust outcomes. Build relationships with customers, partners and internal stakeholders through the contract lifecycle.

You will identify and manage commercial risks, provide guidance on governance and compliance, and mentor colleagues within the Legal & Contracts function, supporting strategic bids and programme delivery across