Contracts Manager (Contractor)

**This role sits inside IR35**

Identification of commercial risks associated with proposal submittal and contract placement; drafting of commercial documentation: contract negotiation; contract

management; support to the Engineering, Project Management, Business Development functions and Work Package Managers (WPMs) within SSTL.

Key Tasks

• Drafting & negotiation of contract terms and conditions including subcontracts, non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), memorandums of understanding (MOUs), licences and all other commercial agreements required by SSTL in accordance with SSTL governance.
• Working with the Business Development team in the development, submission & negotiation of sales contracts, including the identification of risk mitigations to enable contract award under acceptable conditions.
• Supporting Project Managers & Work Package Managers (WPMs) in the generation of Contract Change Notes (CCNs), receipt, evaluation & negotiation of CCNs.
• Ensuring the management / reporting of accurate contract data, including contract value & amendments.
• Attending bid reviews / Risk Management Committees (RMCs) to ensure that contractual issues are raised & solutions proposed. Includes occasional liaison with the Airbus commercial & contracts / legal team.
• Provision of regular reporting on key issues to the Contracts Team Leader.
• Administration of nominated contracts to ensure that Project Managers / WPMs are aware of contractual risks & mitigation proposals.
• Maintain contract related records including registry of all original contract documentation.
• Any related tasks necessary to deliver solid commercial support to SSTL.

PERSON SPECIFICATION (essential requirements)

Qualifications

• A degree in business, law or finance or equivalent experience.

Experience

• Proven commercial experience in a similar role within an engineering or high-tech industry (Space, Aerospace or Defence).
• Institutional Customer negotiations e.g. ESA (European Space Agency), UKSA (UK Space Agency) & NSTP (National Space Technology. Programme).
• International Commercial Customer negotiations.
• Space Industry contracting preferred.

Skills & Attitude

• Good, rounded commercial understanding.
• In-depth knowledge of contract terms & conditions & their relevance to the business.
• Strong, assertive communication skills - able to listen, query, interact & influence at all levels, across all disciplines, both internally & externally.
• Good presentation skills.
• Attention to detail.
• Pragmatic, with ability to think ‘outside the box’.
• Willingness & ability to travel for customer negotiations.
• Ability to cope under pressure to meet tight deadlines – strong drive to succeed.
• Proficient in all MS Office packages.