Commercial & Contracts Manager

Job Title: Commercial & Contracts Manager – Level 7

Location: Bristol, BS16 1EJ

Hourly rate: £40.00

Contract: Temporary contract – ASAP to 2/4/27

Hours: 37 hours per week – Hybrid (2-3 days per week in the office)

GI Group is recruiting a Commercial & Contracts Manager to join a defence client’s team.

Role purpose

You’ll lead commercial and contractual governance across a portfolio of Defence opportunities and contracts—managing risk, supporting bids/tenders and programme delivery, and safeguarding commercial interests and intellectual property.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and maintain strong internal and external stakeholder relationships, working collaboratively and transparently.
• Shape governance decisions by identifying, assessing and mitigating commercial and contractual risk.
• Lead key commercial deliverables, including negotiation strategies and obligations registers.
• Support and/or lead negotiations for complex opportunities and tenders; draft and review agreements such as NDAs, Teaming Agreements and Collaboration Agreements.
• Provide guidance to the wider Commercial team; manage approvals within delegated authority and escalate where required.
• Work closely with Procurement to manage supply chain risk and contract variations, ensuring end-to-end obligations are controlled.

The successful candidate will

• Support Defence bid and tender activity from early engagement through to contract award.
• Partner with bid and programme teams to manage customer dependencies, deliverables and contractual commitments.
• Identify and drive opportunities to improve commercial performance and delivery outcomes.
• Active Security Clearance

Skills & experience

• Proven, advanced experience in commercial/contracts management or advisory roles.
• Degree-level education, professional qualification and/or significant relevant experience.
• Knowledge of the Defence sector (Cyber/Data exposure desirable).
• Strong understanding of governance and lifecycle processes, with the ability to work independently.
• Confident communicator with the ability to influence cross-functional and cross-site stakeholders.

Hiring Contact: Joanne Smith

Agency: GI Group Recruitment Ltd

If you would like any further information about any vacancies before applying, please feel free to contact Joanne.Smith@gigroup.com or on 07552 342472 -