Commercial Manager – Defence & Secure Communications

Location: Portsmouth (around 60% onsite)
Contract: 6-month contract
Working pattern: 37 hours per week, typically over 4.5 days (hours agreed between 7am–7pm)
Rate: £48.00 per hour Umbrella
Clearance: BPSS to start, SC clearance required at application stage
Nationality: UK nationals only
Interview process: One-stage virtual interview

The role

We’re looking for an experienced Commercial Manager to support complex defence and secure communications programmes. You’ll play a central role in shaping, negotiating and managing commercial and contractual arrangements across the full project lifecycle, from bid stage through to contract delivery and closure.

This is a hands-on role, suited to someone comfortable operating in a regulated defence environment, working closely with customers, internal delivery teams and senior stakeholders. You’ll be joining a collaborative commercial function supporting high-value, mission-critical programmes.

What you’ll be doing

• Providing commercial support to competitive and complex bids, requiring sound judgement and commercial creativity

• Managing a portfolio of live contracts, including high-value and long-term agreements

• Leading and supporting contract negotiations, amendments and change control activities

• Identifying, assessing and mitigating commercial risks, ensuring governance and internal procedures are followed

• Acting as a trusted commercial advisor to programme teams, procurement and senior stakeholders

• Supporting supplier-side contract management, including flow-down of contractual obligations and risk

• Building and maintaining strong customer relationships to ensure effective contract delivery

• Applying commercial best practice to improve efficiency, compliance and commercial outcomes

What we’re looking for

Essential experience:

• Proven background in commercial or contract management roles

• Experience working in a customer-facing environment

• Strong contract negotiation and change management capability

• Experience supporting competitive bid situations

• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence at all levels

• Understanding of project management, risk and financial principles

• Experience within defence, MOD suppliers or similarly regulated environments

• Ability to obtain and hold SC security clearance

Desirable experience:

• Experience working on UK MOD contracts or government frameworks

• Knowledge of Single Source Regulations and the Defence Reform Act

• Cross-functional experience working with engineering, finance, procurement and programme teams

• Experience delivering continuous improvement within a commercial function

Why apply

This is a strong opportunity to step into a visible, influential commercial role supporting nationally important defence programmes. You’ll be trusted with real responsibility, exposed to senior stakeholders, and supported by an experienced commercial team in a fast-moving, professional environment.