Contracts Manager – Lead High‑Performing Team

About the role

This is an exciting opportunity to join a highly innovative, engineering‑led organisation and take ownership of the Contracts function. You will lead a small, high‑performing team and act as a key commercial interface across complex, project‑driven programmes.

Key responsibilities

• Manage day‑to‑day operations of the Contracts team, ensuring delivery against departmental objectives.
• Lead preparation, negotiation and execution of contracts from acquisition through to closure.
• Drive team development through mentoring, coaching and performance management.
• Provide clear vision and leadership, fostering a collaborative, high‑performance culture.
• Identify and manage contractual risks, implementing mitigation strategies.

Required profile

• Proven experience in a contracts/commercial environment, handling high‑value, complex UK and international contracts.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop teams.
• Strong expertise in contract drafting, interpretation and negotiation.
• Experience within regulated sectors, ideally defence or government contracting.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management and decision‑making skills.

Required skills

What we offer

• Competitive salary (£70,000‑£90,000 per year) and comprehensive benefits package.
• Generous annual leave, pension, life assurance, private medical insurance.
• Bonus scheme, share incentive plan and enhanced family‑leave policies.