Senior Contracts Manager

Job Title: Senior Contracts Manager

Location: Rochester; Kent (On-site)

Salary: £58,000 + bonus scheme

Who we are: 

Join BAE Systems and you’ll be part of something bigger. As a valued member of our global colleague network, you’ll bring your unique skills and perspectives to help pioneer progress and protect what matters most. You’ll be trusted to play your part in delivering the advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace and security solutions of tomorrow, shaping a safer future, for all of us.

From the depths of the ocean, to the far reaches of space, there’s no limit to where a career at BAE Systems could take you.

Job Description:

This role manages a team of Commercial professionals and supports the delivery of complex programmes by guiding the business through customer and contractual requirements. You will develop negotiation strategies, draft and negotiate terms and conditions, oversee contract delivery, and ensure risks and opportunities are identified and managed. The position requires commercial judgement, the ability to interpret customer needs, and a focus on meeting contractual and financial commitments within a collaborative environment.

Core duties:

• Managing and supporting a team of Commercial professionals working on complex programmes
• Developing negotiation strategies and leading negotiations with customers
• Drafting, reviewing and negotiating terms and conditions for high‑value contracts
• Interpreting customer requirements and advising internal teams throughout the bid and delivery lifecycle
• Overseeing contract performance and ensuring obligations are met
• Identifying commercial risks and opportunities and guiding the business on appropriate actions
• Managing contract changes and ensuring financial commitments are delivered
• Working collaboratively across engineering, project management, finance and wider functions to support programme success

Essential Skills:

• Experience managing or supervising Commercial/Contracts professionals on complex programmes
• Background in Defence, MOD, complex engineering, complex manufacturing or a Legal environment
• Hands‑on experience drafting, reviewing and negotiating terms and conditions for complex contracts
• Experience leading or supporting customer negotiations, contract changes and commercial risk management

The Commercial Team:

You’ll be part of the Electronic Systems Commercial team, working alongside specialists who support the delivery of advanced technology across a wide range of defence and commercial programmes. The team operates in a complex engineering environment where contracts vary in scale and technical detail, giving you exposure to diverse challenges and meaningful commercial decision‑making. You’ll collaborate closely with engineering, project management, finance and legal colleagues, contributing to solutions that enable some of the most innovative electronic systems developed within BAE Systems.

Why BAE Systems?

Here you’ll build a career with purpose and limitless possibilities. With lifelong learning and meaningful work, this is a place where you can grow your career with confidence and be empowered to be your best. You’ll be recognised for your contribution and enjoy rewards tailored to what’s most important to you and your family, support for your financial and personal wellbeing, as well as a balanced lifestyle. In an environment embracing sustainable ways of working and with a strong sense of shared purpose, our supportive culture is a place you can feel you belong and proud of the difference you make.

A place where everyone can thrive:

We’re committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We know that a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences strengthens our teams and is vital to the work we do.

Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.

Closing Date: 4th May 2026

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

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