Thales
Senior Contracts Manager
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Location: Reading, United Kingdom
Thales is a global technology leader with more than 83,000 employees on five continents. With over 7,500 people in the UK, operating across defence, space, aerospace, and digital security, we help build a future we can all trust. Thales supports the security and stability of our nation by providing extraordinary technology to our customers, as well as delivering social value to the UK with our products and services.
Thales is a global technology leader with more than 83,000 employees on five continents. With over 7,500 people in the UK, operating across defence, space, aerospace, and digital security, we help build a future we can all trust. Thales supports the security and stability of our nation by providing extraordinary technology to our customers, as well as delivering social value to the UK with our products and services.
We are looking for a Senior Contracts Manager to join our Legal & Contracts team. This is an exciting opportunity to work on complex, high-value defence and technology programmes, partnering with governments, international customers, industrial partners, and joint ventures across the globe. You'll play a key role in shaping commercial outcomes, supporting strategic bids and contract negotiations, while enjoying exposure to cutting-edge technologies, international collaboration, and global career opportunities.
Main Responsibilities
- Lead the contractual and commercial aspects of complex bids, proposals, and contract negotiations, ensuring commercially robust outcomes.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with customers, partners, subcontractors, and internal stakeholders throughout the contract lifecycle.
- Identify, assess, and manage commercial and contractual risks, developing effective mitigation strategies to support successful programme delivery.
- Provide commercial guidance to bid and project teams, including contract interpretation, governance, and compliance with company policies and procedures.
- Support and influence strategic business decisions while mentoring colleagues and contributing to the continuous development of the Legal & Contracts function.
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Ideal Experience & Skills
- Demonstrable experience managing and negotiating complex commercial contracts within a regulated or technically complex industry.
- Strong commercial acumen with the ability to balance contractual risk, business objectives, and customer relationships.
- Excellent negotiation, communication, and stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to influence at all levels.
- Experience supporting bids, proposals, and contract change activities from pre-contract through delivery.
- A proactive, strategic approach to problem-solving, with the ability to interpret complex contractual requirements and translate them into practical commercial solutions.
- Professional qualifications such as World Commerce & Contracting (WorldCC) Advanced Practitioner or CIPS are advantageous but not essential.
Benefits
- Performance-related bonus (grade dependent)
- Car cash allowance (grade dependent)
- Half day every Friday, usually finishing around 13:00 (where applicable)
- 28 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) with the opportunity to buy up to 40 hours/year (pro rata)
- 24 hours paid volunteering leave
- Private healthcare (grade dependent)
- Pension scheme
- Life cover
- 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme and access to a mental wellbeing app
- Employee discount shopping schemes on major brands and retailers
- Gym membership discounts
Security Clearance Requirement
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Due to the nature of the work that we do at Thales, many of our roles are subject to security restrictions. This role requires Security Clearance (SC). It would be advantageous if currently held; however, if not currently held, it is a requirement that the successful applicant undergo, achieve, and maintain SC Clearance prior to commencing employment.
To be eligible for full SC, you generally need to have resided in the UK for the last 5 years. In some circumstances, a minimum of 3 years' residence in the UK over the last 5 years may be accepted, with additional overseas checks.
Please visit the UKSV website for further guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels/national-security-vetting-clearance-levels
At Thales, we ensure equal opportunities, pay, and working conditions for all. The benefits we offer include private medical insurance, buying or selling annual leave, cycle to work schemes, employee discounts, paid volunteering day, stocks and shares, annual bonus, and much more depending on the role. Read more about our benefits here.
We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued for who they are and the unique strengths they bring. Discover more about our programmes, employee networks, wellbeing policies, and inclusive features here.
If this role isn’t quite right for you, we encourage you to join our talent community where your details will be shared with our recruitment teams for other potential opportunities. Join the Talent Community here.
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