Senior Commercial Manager

Our client, an international aerospace company has an opportunity for experienced Senior Commercial Manager to join them on a contract basis. Reporting to the Digital Head of Commercial, within the Digital Business Unit The role will focus predominantly on growth, competitive bids and other pre-signature activities, while also providing support for broader contract management duties where required.

Role: Senior Commercial Manager
Location: Bristol
Hours: Mon-Fri (3 Days a week in the Bristol Office)
IR35 Status: Inside
Security Clearance: Must be able to obtain BPSS, Full SC is preferred.
Hourly Rate: Negotiable
Contract: Short Term (approx. 6 months, renewable).

Due to the nature of this role, you will need to be a UK passport holder to be successful in an application.

This is a senior-level, non-line management role within our clients Digital Commercial Team, reporting to the Digital Head of Commercial. Digital is one of three business units within the company and supports a portfolio of complex contracts, primarily delivering critical digital capabilities and services to the UK Ministry of Defence. The business unit is also engaged in ongoing growth activities and long-term contracted programmes.
Business growth includes a mix of on-contract change, framework activity, new business bids, competitive tenders and proposals across both existing and adjacent market segments. This includes expanding support for current defence information systems and synthetic training solutions, while pursuing opportunities in emerging digital capability areas to enhance the UK MoD's operational effectiveness.
The Senior Commercial Manager will lead and support commercial activity across bids, proposals, frameworks and contract management activity. Principal responsibilities include:

Leading commercial activity across competitive bids, proposals and frameworks.
Developing commercial strategies that support winning bids while protecting business interests.
Supporting and, where required, leading bid reviews and governance throughout the proposal lifecycle.
Reviewing, interpreting, drafting and negotiating terms and conditions, including highly complex contractual provisions.
Providing comprehensive contract management and execution support where required, including resolving or mitigating programme issues as they arise.
Developing and reviewing statements of work.
Leading and participating in contract change and contract tasking proposal development, negotiation and award activities where required.
Developing and supporting cost estimates and determining profit or earnings objectives.
Performing and approving risk assessments to balance risks and opportunities.
Reviewing and approving proposals prepared by peers.
Reviewing and approving other agreements with external parties.
Understanding, implementing and adhering to our clients Commercial policies and procedures, while ensuring compliance with corporate policies, legislation, regulations and standards applicable to assigned contracts and proposals.
Submitting offers and contractually committing the company within permitted delegated authority.
Participating in and leading internal governance activities, including bid/no-bid and make/buy boards.
Establishing effective internal processes with the Commercial Team, programmes and supporting functions.

Role Expectations

The Senior Commercial Manager is expected to have a thorough understanding of programme and financial contractual performance. The role will be responsible for developing recommendations and solutions, as well as influencing effective decision-making to support business goals.
The successful candidate will work closely with contract delivery and proposal team members, as well as customer counterparts. Developing and maintaining respectful, effective working relationships will be critical to success. As part of a matrix organisation, Commercial roles within programme and proposal teams are recognised as influential business partners who take a proactive and diligent approach to securing successful business outcomes.
Technical expertise is required in the following areas: contract formation, contract management systems, contract structure, negotiation, estimating methods, proposal processes, risk and opportunity management, business case development, and the understanding and application of applicable legislation, regulations and standards.
Key expectations of the Senior Commercial Manager include:

Taking responsibility for all commercial artefacts, tasks and obligations.
Applying strategic thinking and a portfolio-wide approach to ensure interdependencies and cross-programme impacts are appropriately managed.
Proactively anticipating risks and issues, raising awareness and seeking support early where required.
Demonstrating high-quality outputs and consistently applying strong standards in commercial administration.
Maintaining current awareness of the programme environment.
Maintaining a value-for-money approach for customers while understanding business goals and objectives.

Preferred Qualifications and Experience

Knowledge and experience of defence contracting, including drafting, interpreting and negotiating terms and conditions.
Demonstrable experience providing commercial leadership on proposals and competitive tenders.
Strong understanding of Single Source Contract Regulations.
Strong understanding and experience of procurement regulations and government frameworks.
Excellent customer and stakeholder relationship management skills.
Leadership experience with complex projects and/or teams.
World Commerce & Contracting (formerly IACCM) qualification and/or relevant experience.
Strong negotiation skills.
Commitment to first-time quality.
Fast and effective responsiveness in a multifaceted, complex environment.
Demonstrable experience working in a matrix organisation.
Ability to manage a diverse, fast-paced and high workload.
Ability to work under supervision while demonstrating a high level of independence.
Recognition of teamwork and collaboration as key behaviours for positive ways of working.
Experience identifying and implementing improvement initiatives.
Ability to identify and manage opportunities and risks to create enhanced value for the organisation.
Positive work attitude and team-building approach.
Adaptability and the ability to remain effective while managing changing requirements and multiple priorities.
Ten or more years' experience within a multinational global company environment and UK defence expertise are desirable.

Basic Qualifications

Seven or more years' experience in a commercial or contract management role, ideally within a multinational company environment.
Strong background in UK defence contracting, including knowledge of SSCR and procurement regulations.
Experience in pre-signature and bidding environments.

Preferred Qualifications

World Commerce & Contracting CCM qualification.
Bachelor's degree in a relevant field, such as Business or Law.

Competencies

Analytical skills; business financial acumen; communication; cross-functional partnership; customer relationship management; decision-making; negotiation; problem-solving.
To be successful in your application it is a requirement that you hold UK 'right to work' at the time of application and that you can achieve a BPSS security clearance at a minimum, a full SC is preferred
Only candidates based in UK and eligible to work in UK are allowed