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Lead Contract Manager (Defence & National Security) – Ocean Infinity Solutions UK
About the Role
We are revolutionising technology to redefine operations at sea, ensuring people and planet thrive through fearless innovation. Our mission? Drag traditional industries into the tech era.
If this resonates with you, join us as a Lead Contract Manager. In this critical role, you'll lead the strategic commercial and contractual framework for our Defence and National Security portfolio in the UK, ensuring flawless governance, disciplined execution, and scalability across complex programmes.
We’re not your average employer—ambitions are huge, and accountability comes first.
Key Responsibilities
MOD Contract Management
- Lead commercial and contractual delivery across MoD customer contracts, owning obligations, milestones, reporting, and compliance across multiple programmes.
- Act as the primary authority for contract performance governance, issue resolution, and formal MoD interactions to minimise disruptions early.
- Ensure full compliance with DEFSTANs, JSPs, and procurement regulations, balancing MoD demands with commercial value.
- Manage contract mobilisation, changes, variations, and audit-ready records, including responsibly assessing claims, risks, and liabilities.
- Safeguard export control, security, and classification requirements during contract execution.
Licensing, IP & Productisation
- Develop scalable licensing strategies for software, data, platforms, and hybrid service models, leveraging IP ownership for international growth.
- Partner with Engineering, Legal, and Product teams to convert project outputs into repeatable, productised offerings while protecting value.
- Establish templates, playbooks, and IP governance frameworks to support cohesion, negotiation efficiency, and market expansion.
- Align licensing models with MoD procurement and export control constraints.
Subcontractor & Supplier Contract Management
- Oversee contractual risk allocation, performance obligations, and supplier oversight, ensuring alignment with programme goals.
- Govern visibility into technical, commercial, security, and quality metrics across delivery partners.
- Lead strategic supplier negotiations, disputes resolution, and corrective actions to retain momentum in high-pressure environments.
- Drive confident delivery partnerships that grow capabilities and competitive advantages.
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Commercial & Financial Responsibilities
- Provide commercial leadership in programme planning, forecasting, and budget control, safeguarding financial integrity.
- Assess commercial repercussions of changes, delays, or technical variances, ensuring decisions preserve delivery and margins.
- Lead pricing strategy, proposal commercials, and milestones governance, with a focus on margin protection and cash discipline.
- Contribute to product pricing models and portfolio growth decisions, embedding scalability across multiple revenue streams.
Governance, Compliance & Risk Management
- Champion contracted discipline given company policy, delegated authority, and legal standards—internally and in external audits.
- Translate MoD processes into practical governance controls and guidance, bridging commercial and regulatory needs.
- Strive for an audit-ready posture across all contracts and defence compliance affairs.
Key Skills & Experience (Essential)
- Industry Expertise: Proven track record in defence, aerospace, engineering, or maritime contracting, with experience under a UK MOD or Defence Prime.
- Contract Ownership: Mastery of shaping and managing complex contracts—from amendments to close-out.
- Negotiation: Strong ability to negotiate amendments, claims, and variations to safeguard delivery and commercial value.
- Regulatory Insight: Pertinent knowledge of MOD contractual frameworks, DEFCONs, and defence procurement regulations.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Skilled in working with legal, finance, procurement, and operational teams on licensing, IP, and subcontractor management.
- Stakeholder Influence: Adept at engaging with alert customers, external lawyers, and varied programmes.
- Compliance Focus: Experience maintaining audit-ready records, export control, and classification-aligned contract execution.
- IP & Productisation: Background in building licensing models and translating outputs into commercialised products.
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Key Skills & Experience (Desirable)
- Familiarity with SSCR, DSPCR, NEC, JCT contract forms, or ITAR/EAR export control.
- Prior bid/proposal commercial modelling expertise or input within tribal workloads.
- Understanding of programme management methodologies and risk crunching tools.
- Exposure to technology licensing in maritime or security tech sectors.
Qualifications
A degree in Business, Law, Engineering, or Commercial Management (or equivalent industry experience)—preferably paired with a professional qualification in relevant contract or commercial sectors.
Personal Attributes
- Commercial Judgement: Pragmatic, instinct-driven approach to profit vibrancy, contract scaling, and risk alleviation.
- Collaborative Thought Leader: Excellent at partnering while upholding rigorous, independent standards.
- High Vision for Growth: Focused on making commitments happen in high-stakes, undefined territories.
- Irrefutable Integrity: Serves as a trusted role-model of candid communication, accountability, and excellence.
What You Can Expect
Ocean Infinity is an ambitious mission—one amongst equals, solutions-oriented, and fiercely driven to reshape how we stay on the water.
- Inclusion & Diversity: Our slant isn’t just talk—actionable, ingrained in every decision from the ground up.
- Sustainability: Somewhere you can feel proud to contribute to resources and communities for years to come.
- Impact & Growth: Room to progress, imprint on original concepts, and grow alongside industry-moving innovations.
- Salary: Mediated on skills, abilities, and experience within job grades, accommodating regional variations.
However, this is not a job—it’s a legacy first.
Join us. Change the way we shape sea-bound futures, together.
(Caveat: Salary bands linked to job-grade assessments, reflecting regional adjustments.)
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