JOB TITLE: CONTRACTS MANAGER
REPORTS TO: COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR
DEPARTMENT: COMMERCIAL
About Us:
MSI‑Defence Systems Limited is a UK defence company with a rich heritage in the design and delivery of naval weapon systems. We are trusted by our global customer-base to provide high‑integrity, mission‑critical solutions that fulfil the most challenging operational requirements. The company combines deep engineering expertise with disciplined project delivery to support complex, long‑term contracts in highly assured environments.
MSI‑Defence Systems has entered an exciting phase of sustained growth. Building on its strong foundation, the business has expanded its capabilities into land-based systems, applying the same structured engineering, manufacturing, and commercial disciplines that underpin its success. Continued investment in people, processes, and facilities enables the company to take on increasingly complex work while preserving the values that have earned customer trust.
As MSI‑DS continues to grow, the Commercial team plays a key role in safeguarding value, managing risk, and enabling sustainable business performance across complex projects.
About the Role:
The Contracts Manager plays a key role in ensuring that contracts are managed effectively, professionally, and in a way that supports both successful delivery and long‑term commercial outcomes. The role provides hands‑on commercial and contractual management across assigned contracts throughout their lifecycle, from award through execution to close‑out.
Working closely with project, engineering, and operational teams, the Contracts Manager applies clear contractual discipline, manages change, and helps identify and mitigate commercial risk. The role contributes to problem‑solving as contracts evolve, ensuring that contractual position, cost impact, and commercial consequences are clearly understood and addressed in a structured and pragmatic way.
The primary responsibilities will include but are not limited to:
* Manage contracts through their full lifecycle, from award to close‑out
* Administer contractual variations and formal change control
* Maintain accurate contractual records and contract management systems
* Identify and support mitigation of commercial and contractual risks
* Draft standard form contracts and agreements including agent agreements, distribution/reseller agreements, collaboration agreements, consultancy agreements, NDAs, MoUs, supply and service contracts and aftermarket/support agreements
* Support pricing, cost control and lifecycle cost awareness
* Work with delivery teams to ensure contractual compliance
* Undertaken due diligence activities on customers and partners
* Any other such duties that may be reasonably compatible with the nature and scope of the role
About the Person:
We are looking for a commercially focused professional who enjoys taking ownership of contracts and supporting delivery teams with clear, structured commercial thinking.
Experience
* Experience in a contracts or commercial role within complex environments
* Supporting business winning, including bid preparation
* Hands‑on post‑award contract management experience
* Exposure to governance, approvals, and audit frameworks
* Experience supporting contracts of varying value and complexity
* Working knowledge of defence contracting (DEFCONs, US FARs & DFARs) desirable but not essential
Commercial & Contractual Skills
* Contract interpretation and administration
* Drafting and applying contracts and statements of work
* Commercial risk identification and management
* Cost and margin awareness
Qualifications
* Degree educated (essential); degree in law, business related subject, or engineering preferred
* World of Commerce & Contracting accreditation desirable
Personal Attributes
* Structured and methodical
* Commercially minded
* Collaborative and approachable
* Comfortable applying judgement within defined processes
Physical Demands & Work Environment:
* Desk based role
* Working as part of the commercial team advising all aspects of business on commercial matters and compliance with trade legislation
* Working within a strict time and quality framework
* Occasional UK and overseas travel
Key Working Relationships:
Internal
* Project Managers
* BD and Bid Managers
* Supply Chain Managers
External
* Customers
* Suppliers
* Agents and Distributors