About the role

The Contracts Manager supports programme and project delivery by monitoring contractual compliance, managing contract changes, identifying risks, and advising on active contracts. The role assists Program and Project Managers in interpreting contracts, supports flexible contracting models (Predictive, Agile, Hybrid), and supports dispute resolution and claims handling in a consultative capacity.

Contract negotiation and contract signature remain the responsibility of Marketing and Sales or Supply Chain. The Contracts Manager provides specialist advisory, governance, and risk oversight across the contract lifecycle.

Qualification and experience

• Minimum Bachelor’s degree in Law or Business Management. 

• Project Management qualification advantageous.

• Minimum 5–7 years’ experience in contract management, preferably in high-technology or engineering-driven industries.

• Experience with global customer contracting and regulated environments.

• Familiarity with International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), Export Administration Regulation (EAR), Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)/ Defence Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), Intellectual Property (IP) licensing models, Incoterms, and data security clauses
  
  

Key technical skills

• Contract review and interpretation (customer, supplier, licensing, IP, collaboration agreements).

• Contract lifecycle management (amendments, renewals, close-out).

• Risk identification and mitigation in complex contract environments.

• Compliance and governance advisory (export controls, data protection, industry standards).

• Change control and claims support in collaboration with Program / Project Managers.

• Stakeholder engagement across Legal, Sales, PMO, Engineering, Procurement, and Finance.

• Understanding of project environments (Predictive, Agile, Hybrid) and flexible contracting models.

• Strong documentation, reporting, and contract data management capability.

• Knowledge of complex systems environments (software, hardware, integrated systems).

• Strong communication, influence, and cross-functional coordination skills.
  
  

Key responsibilities

1. Contract Governance, Compliance and Advisory

• Ensure active contracts comply with legal, regulatory, and internal governance requirements, and provide expert contract review and interpretation to support Program and Project Managers and stakeholders.

• Proactively advise on compliance with export controls, data protection, IP, and internal policies, and escalate material contractual risks or deviations.

• Support audits and reviews by ensuring contractual obligations, approvals, and decisions are traceable and defensible.

2. Contract Lifecycle, Change and Configuration

• Manage and advise on contract amendments, variations, renewals, and close-out, including impact assessments on scope, risk, cost, and obligations.

• Ensure contract changes are properly assessed, documented, approved, and communicated to relevant stakeholders.

• Maintain integrity and consistency of contract baselines across the full contract lifecycle.

3. Contractual Risk, Disputes and Claims Support

• Identify and mitigate contractual risks (e.g., liability, IP, export controls, indemnities) and support Program and Project Managers with dispute resolution and claims handling.

• Provide structured risk assessments and mitigation recommendations to reduce contractual exposure and commercial risk.

• Support preparation of contractual positions, evidence packs, and impact assessments for disputes, claims, and negotiations.

4. Stakeholder and Cross-Functional Contract Alignment

• Ensure consistent contract interpretation and alignment across Legal, Sales, Supply Chain, PMO, Engineering, Procurement, and Finance.

• Act as a central point of coordination for contract-related queries, interpretations, and escalations across the organisation.

• Support customer and partner relationships by enabling clear mutual understanding of rights, obligations, and change mechanisms.

5. Contract Reporting, Data and Performance Insight

• Maintain contract records, dashboards, risk registers, and audit trails, and provide management with accurate, actionable insight into contractual exposure, compliance, and performance.

• Ensure contract data quality, version control, and traceability of key decisions and changes.

• Produce regular contract status, risk, and compliance reports to support governance and executive decision-making.