MBDA
Senior Commercial Executive

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Bristol
A Great Opportunity acting as the focal point for MBDA UK for all commercial matters, providing strong leadership for the commercial function
Salary: Circa £80,000 depending on experience
Dynamic (hybrid) working: 2-3 days per week on-site due to workload classification
Security Clearance: British Citizen or a Dual UK national with British citizenship
Restrictions and/or limitations relating to nationality and/or rights to work may apply. As a minimum and after offer stage, all successful candidates will need to undergo HMG Basic Personnel Security Standard checks (BPSS), which are managed by the MBDA Personnel Security Team.
The opportunity
This is an opportunity to play a key role in shaping and strengthening Commercial across MBDA UK, working collaboratively with senior leaders, project teams and customers to support the continued growth and success of the business.
As a senior commercial leader, you will act as the focal point for commercial and contractual matters within MBDA UK, providing strategic leadership and commercial expertise across assigned projects. You will help shape commercial strategies, navigate complex contractual challenges and identify opportunities that support both successful programme delivery and MBDA's wider commercial objectives.
A key part of the role will be developing our people and strengthening commercial capability across the organisation. You will lead and support Commercial teams to build expertise, promote professional standards and create an environment where people can develop.
You will work closely with customers on complex commercial matters, balancing commercial opportunity, risk and strategic considerations to enable high-performing delivery.
Within your delegated authority, you will provide commercial assurance and authorisation across bids, contracts and functional activities.
Please note whilst this role can be based in Bristol, due to the nature of the role it will require frequent travel to MBDA's Stevenage site
Key Accountabilities
- Ensuring, in conjunction with Head of Commercial and VP Commercial, that MBDA's Commercial interests are safeguarded during all phases of contracts.
- In conjunction with Head of Commercial direct team and project stakeholders, devise appropriate strategies for the resolution of contractual disputes and maximise opportunities.
- Ensure assigned Project Teams and direct reports understand the requirements accepted by MBDA UK in UK contract terms, particularly in relation to:
- Single Source Pricing Regulations
- Defcons
- Intellectual Property
- Cyber Security
- Non-standard terms – e.g. liabilities and indemnities
- Commercial risk
- To provide Commercial rigour in allocated programmes with respect to establishing clear baselines, with adherence to cost and schedule going forwards.
- Ensuring bids are submitted on time and to an acceptable quality.
- Ensuring the negotiation of contract/amendments are conducted in a manner which safeguards the business interests of MBDA.
- Ensuring that such contract/amendments are executed successfully and that all of MBDA's obligations are understood and met.
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What We're Looking For From You
We are looking for an experienced commercial leader who can combine strong technical expertise with the ability to influence, collaborate and deliver meaningful business outcomes.
- Experience of leading commercial teams or a commercial function, with a strong focus on people leadership, development and capability building.
- Broad commercial experience across activities such as bidding, contract management, legal matters, export control, cost and pricing.
- Experience of working with complex contracts and commercial environments. Defence experience, or experience with UK DEFCON contracting and Single Source Pricing Regulations, would be valuable.
- The ability to develop and implement commercial strategies that support business objectives and maximise opportunities.
- Strong judgement and the ability to understand and communicate the commercial implications of complex issues.
- The ability to build effective relationships and influence a broad range of stakeholders, both internally and externally.
- Excellent communication skills, with the confidence to engage with senior leaders, multifunctional project teams and customer counterparts.
- The ability to lead teams through complex commercial challenges, providing clarity, direction and constructive guidance.
- A collaborative approach, with the ability to work across organisational boundaries and bring different perspectives together to achieve shared outcomes.
- The ability to ensure appropriate commercial coverage, governance and protection are in place across projects and activities.
- The ability to work with teams to manage contractual information and agreements, including understanding and implementing appropriate legal advice.


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What we can offer you
- Company Bonus: Bonus of up to 35.5% of base salary
- Car Allowance: £575 Per Month
- Pension: maximum total (employer and employee) contribution of up to 14%
- Flexible working: We welcome applicants who are looking for flexible working arrangements
- Enhanced parental leave: offers up to 26 weeks for maternity, adoption and shared parental leave -enhancements are available for paternity leave, neonatal leave and fertility testing and treatments
- Facilities: Fantastic site facilities including subsidised meals, free car parking and much more…
- Private Medical Insurance: Eligible employees are enrolled as standard into the company funded Private Medical Insurance benefit.
Our company
Peace is not a given, Freedom is not a given, Sovereignty is not a given
MBDA is a leading defence organisation. We are proud of the role we play in supporting the Armed Forces who protect our nations. We partner with governments to work together towards a common goal, defending our freedom.
We are proud of our employee-led networks, examples include: Gender Equality, Pride, Menopause Matters, Parents and Carers, Armed Forces, Ethnic Diversity, Neurodiversity, Disability and more…
We recognise that everyone is unique, and we encourage you to speak to us should you require any advice, support or adjustments throughout our recruitment process.
Follow us on LinkedIn (MBDA), X (@MBDA_UK), Instagram (MBDA_UK) and Glassdoor or visit our MBDA Careers website for more information.
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