Commercial Manager

Job Description

Salary: £70,000 - £78,000

Leonardo UK operates a grade-based salary framework with broad bands. The salary range shown reflects the approved grade band for this role, or a narrower hiring range published within that band, and is benchmarked against the external market. Exceptions above the standard range are managed through governance controls to protect internal equity.

We are seeking an experienced and commercially astute Commercial Manager to join the CS3 Commercial Team. This is a senior leadership role with accountability for commercial delivery across a portfolio of programmes and business activities. You will provide commercial leadership throughout the business lifecycle, ensuring delivery of business objectives whilst protecting Leonardo's interests through sound commercial judgement, effective governance, robust risk management and strong customer relationships.

The successful candidate will combine deep commercial expertise with proven leadership capability, demonstrating the ability to influence business decisions, develop high-performing teams, and deliver measurable commercial outcomes in complex environments.

As a Commercial Manager you will:

• Lead commercial strategy and governance across a portfolio of programmes and opportunities.
• Provide commercial leadership throughout business winning, contract mobilisation and programme delivery activities.
• Develop commercial solutions that balance opportunity, risk and customer requirements.
• Lead complex commercial negotiations with customers, suppliers and partners.
• Ensure compliance with Leonardo governance, approvals and lifecycle management processes.
• Drive delivery of key business measures including order intake, revenue, cash generation and EBIT.
• Lead commercial risk and opportunity management activities across your portfolio.
• Develop trusted relationships with customers and key stakeholders internally and externally.
• Coach, mentor and develop commercial professionals, supporting succession planning and capability growth.
• Act as the commercial focal point within Integrated Project Teams and sector leadership forums.
• Drive continuous improvement and embed best practice across the commercial community.

We are particularly interested in candidates who have demonstrable experience leading complex commercial issues, including:

• Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) strategy, negotiation and exploitation.
• TUPE implications arising from outsourcing, in sourcing and transition activities.
• Complex contract change and variation management.
• Liability negotiation and allocation of risk.
• Contract claims and dispute resolution.
• Strategic supplier and partner agreements.
• Long-term support and service contracting arrangements.
• Cross-border commercial arrangements.
• Risk and reward mechanism development.
• Commercial governance of high-value and high-risk programmes.
• Business case development and commercial modelling.
• Commercial support to competitive business winning activities.

• Significant commercial leadership experience within a complex project, programme or business environment.
• Experience leading commercial activities across the full contract lifecycle.
• Proven ability to manage complex commercial negotiations and contractual arrangements.
• Strong understanding of commercial risk identification, assessment and mitigation.
• Experience influencing senior stakeholders and business leaders.
• Experience developing and leading commercial teams.
• Experience operating within robust governance and approval frameworks.
• Evidence of delivering measurable business outcomes through commercial interventions.
• Strong understanding of financial drivers, including revenue, profitability, cash and working capital.

• Defence, aerospace or government contracting experience.
• Knowledge of UK MOD contracting frameworks.
• Experience of partnering, joint ventures or strategic alliances.
• Experience of TUPE-related commercial activities.

• Creates clarity and direction.
• Builds capability and develops future talent.
• Promotes collaboration and cross-functional working.
• Challenges constructively and makes difficult decisions when required.

This is not an exhaustive list, and we are keen to hear from you even if you might not have experience in all the above. The most important skill is a good attitude and willingness to learn.

This role is subject to pre-employment screening in line with the UK…