Contracts Manager - Defence & Cyber

Synergize Consulting; Massachusetts; On-site; USD 96,000 - 111,000; Full time

Job summary

Synergize Consulting is seeking an experienced SC Cleared Contracts Manager to support bid and tender activity within a major UK defence and technology environment, across cyber and advanced electronic systems.

This role requires 4 days on site in Bristol with one day WFH, 37 hours per week, and a rate of £53.70 per hour inside IR35. You will collaborate with bid, programme, commercial and procurement teams to manage risk and ensure commitments are understood and delivered.

Qualifications

• Experience in defence contracting and bid/tender support.
• Knowledge of MOD contracting and defence commercial processes.
• Ability to negotiate and manage contractual risk.

Responsibilities

• Support bid and tender activities within a defence account.
• Develop and review commercial strategies and obligations registers.
• Identify and mitigate commercial and contractual risks.
• Lead negotiations with prospective customers on complex tenders.
• Prepare and review commercial agreements including NDAs and teaming agreements.
• Advise teams on customer dependencies and deliverables.
• Work with procurement to manage supply chain risks and variations.
• Protect IP and commercial interests across a diverse contract portfolio.
• Support governance, approvals, and escalation of complex matters.
• Share best practice to improve commercial performance.

Skills

Defence contracts

Contract negotiations

Bid/tender support

MOD contracting

Commercial risk governance

Stakeholder management

Independent working

Cross-functional collaboration

Strategic advisory

Job description

We are seeking an experienced SC Cleared Contracts Manager to support bid and tender activity within a major UK defence and technology environment, working across a portfolio of opportunities involving cyber and advanced electronic systems.

** Please note, this role requires 4 days on site in Bristol with one day WFH.

Rate: £53.70 per hour (Inside IR35), 37 hours per week

Duration: up to Apr 2027

This role will suit a commercially minded contracts professional with strong experience in defence contracting, particularly MOD-related bids and proposals. You will work closely with bid, programme, commercial and procurement teams to protect business interests, manage contractual risk and ensure customer commitments are clearly understood and delivered.

The successful candidate will be comfortable working independently, influencing stakeholders and supporting complex commercial decisions throughout the bid and contract life cycle.

Key Responsibilities

• Support bid and tender activities within a defence account, advising on commercial and contractual matters.
• Develop and review contractual strategies, negotiation positions and obligations registers.
• Identify, assess and mitigate commercial, contractual and business risks.
• Support negotiations with prospective customers and contribute to complex tender submissions.
• Prepare and review commercial agreements, including NDAs, teaming agreements and collaboration agreements.
• Advise bid and programme teams on customer dependencies, contractual commitments and deliverables.
• Work with Procurement to manage supply chain risks, contract variations and end-to-end contractual obligations.
• Protect intellectual property and commercial interests across a diverse portfolio of contracts and opportunities.
• Support governance, business approvals and escalation of complex commercial matters.
• Identify opportunities to improve commercial performance and share best practice across teams.

Essential Skills and Experience

• Strong experience in commercial or contracts management within the defence sector.
• Practical experience supporting bids, tenders and proposals.
• Good understanding of MOD contracting and defence commercial processes.
• Experience developing, reviewing and negotiating commercial and contractual agreements.
• Strong understanding of contractual obligations, commercial risk and governance.
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound commercial judgement and manage competing priorities.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder-management skills, with the ability to influence cross-functional teams.
• A collaborative approach, working effectively with commercial, bid, programme and procurement teams.

Experience in cyber, data or electronic systems environments would be advantageous.

If you have strong defence contracts experience, understand MOD commercial requirements and are looking for your next contract, we would be interested in hearing from you.