Strategic Commercial Lead – Aviation & Defence Contracts

DCS Recruitment; England; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Pension contributions with up to 12%

Bonus incentives

Private medical insurance discount

Electric car scheme

Wellbeing programmes

Job summary

DCS Recruitment in Bournemouth is seeking a Senior Commercial Manager to oversee commercial performance across complex aviation and defence contracts. You will lead contract preparation, negotiation and in-life management, ensuring compliance and robust commercial outcomes in a regulated environment.

The role requires strong negotiation, risk management and financial acumen, with experience in MOD contracting or international defence programmes being highly advantageous.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in commercial management or contract management.
• Proven ability to draft, review and negotiate contractual terms and conditions.
• Experience managing complex contracts throughout their lifecycle including contract preparation, negotiation, in-life management and contractual change.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen including pricing, margin, cash flow, cost management and commercial value drivers.
• Experience managing contractual risks, opportunities, variations and claims.
• Experience in aviation, defence or another complex contracting environment.
• Experience with UK MOD, government departments or international defence organisations is advantageous.
• Excellent stakeholder management and negotiation skills; ability to influence at all levels.

Responsibilities

• Lead the commercial management of key contracts throughout the full contract lifecycle.
• Draft, review, negotiate and manage complex contractual terms and conditions with customers, suppliers and government entities.
• Oversee contractual changes, variations, claims, disputes and commercial negotiations.
• Identify, assess and mitigate contractual, financial and commercial risks while maximising opportunities.
• Evaluate pricing, cash flow, margin, cost drivers and overall contract profitability.
• Monitor contract performance against KPIs, milestones, service levels and commercial objectives.
• Provide commercial guidance to senior leadership, programme teams and wider business functions.
• Maintain strong commercial governance, ensuring compliance with contractual obligations and approval frameworks.
• Build relationships with customers, suppliers, the UK MOD and international defence customers.
• Drive continuous improvement in contract management processes and risk management.

Skills

Commercial management

Contract management

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Financial acumen

Risk management

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in related discipline

Job description

DCS Recruitment in Bournemouth is seeking a Senior Commercial Manager to oversee commercial performance across complex aviation and defence contracts. You will lead contract preparation, negotiation and in-life management, ensuring compliance and robust commercial outcomes in a regulated environment.

The role requires strong negotiation, risk management and financial acumen, with experience in MOD contracting or international defence programmes being highly advantageous.