Contract Manager

Job Overview

Leonardo, a global leader in Aerospace, Defence and Security, is seeking an ambitious Contracts Manager for its Integrated Mission Support Commercial team in the Electronic Warfare (EW) division. The role will support fast‑paced UK and export customers, manage existing contracts and develop commercial bids.

• Provide strategic and tactical oversight of contracts and bid activities.
• Draft, negotiate and administer complex contract terms with procurement counterparts to ensure appropriate subcontractor flow.
• Develop and document commercial strategies to secure optimal outcomes for Leonardo UK.
• Prepare accurate pricing using appropriate models and cost estimates.
• Lead clear and concise correspondence and obtain stakeholder input as required.
• Draft and review agreements: NDA, software licences, MoUs and other terms & conditions.
• Provide commercial leadership in projects/contracts, including change control, performance monitoring and risk management.
• Prepare proposals for customer submission and coordinate internal bid approvals.
• Ensure adherence to commercial and business processes.
• Build and maintain mutually beneficial relationships with colleagues and customers.
• Work as an integral member of the Integrated Project Management Team.
• Manage workload, highlight conflicts or priorities, and meet stakeholder and customer expectations.

• Ability to advocate at senior organisational levels.
• Comfort in providing senior‑level briefs.
• Skill to devise and implement complex commercial strategies.
• Experience with UK Government and international contracts.
• Understanding of finance, profit & loss, margin, escalation and FX.
• Knowledge of export legislation, import taxes and duties.
• High knowledge of contract law and application.
• Capacity to identify commercial risks and implement mitigation strategies.
• Strong relationship‑building with cross‑functional colleagues, customers and suppliers.
• Proactive, tenacious and results‑driven attitude.
• Desire to learn and improve, including using corporate development programmes.
• Willingness to travel within the UK and potentially overseas.

• Degree or professional qualification (e.g., IACCM/WCC) and/or defence contracting experience.
• Understanding of Leonardo markets, products, customers and suppliers.
• Drive to promote best practice and knowledge sharing across the function and wider business.
• Familiarity with SAP and its functionality.

This role requires pre‑employment screening in line with the UK Government’s Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). Additional Personal Security Controls such as National Security Vetting (NSV) may be applied, including eligibility for Security Check (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV). More information and guidance.

Leonardo offers a comprehensive, company‑funded benefits package that includes generous leave, a pension scheme, mental health support, performance bonuses, access to online courses, referral rewards, flexible working and more.

Primary location: GB – Luton – Cap. Green 300.
Additional location: GB – Lincoln.
Contract type:
Permanent.
Hybrid working (some home working).