Principal Commercial Officer

About the job

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.

Salary: Circa £40k –£ 50k depending on experience 

What we can offer you:

• Company bonus of up to £2,500 (based on company performance and will vary year to year)
• Pension of maximum total (employer and employee) contribution of up to 14%
• Paid overtime
• Up to 15 additional days flexi leave
• Our 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.
• Fantastic site facilities, including subsidised meals, free car parking and gym on site at Stevenage
• Excellent career progression and development opportunities

Dynamic (hybrid) working: We trust our people to agree, within their teams, where and when they can be most effective. Our Dynamic Working policy allows individuals flexibility around the hours they work and where they work. Typically for this role you will work 2-3 days per week on-site.  

An opportunity has arisen to join an active, involved and motivated team, in a sector committed to delivering Defence Capability to the UK Armed Forces and other customers, covering aspects of the early product lifecycle and research and technology.

What will you be doing?

• Business Winning – Being a key player in the winning of new contracts, agreements and opportunities. Responsible for supporting the full Route to achieving a Contract, including the Bidding process, cross functional working to deliver inputs and generation of proposals, maximising MBDAs interest.
• Contract Delivery – Being a vital part of the delivery chain that ensures MBDA meets its promises to our customer including contract management tasks, change management, problem solving and administration.
• Negotiations – With support gaining acceptance and agreement on issues and amendments to ensure contractual compliance within agreed boundaries.
• Building and maintaining relationships with new and existing customers & industry partners, focusing on collaboration.
• Being the interface with internal and external stakeholders.
• Communicating with stakeholders at all levels, including reporting to senior management on the progress of your portfolio of work.
• Representing the commercial team in progress/reviews and/or customer meetings.
• Working under pressure to achieve deadlines.
• Day-to-day administration and maintenance of the Commercial Information Systems.
• Promotes best practice and functional excellence.

What are the benefits for you?

• Work in an area that is high profile and well known as a forefront of technology in Defence.
• Work within a function that is business critical, contributing to the overall company business plan and know that you are making a real difference.
• Meet and develop relationships with external customers and internal stakeholders.
• Working a fast paced, varied role that makes every day a little bit different from the last.
• To be part of a valued team where your opinion counts.
• Work for a function that invests in its people and their development.
• Have on the job support and in role learning and development.

What we're looking for from you:

• Advanced negotiation skills and interpersonal skills.
• Good process and change management.
• Experience of managing more complex, high value contracts.
• Effective team behaviours, influencing and team working skills.
• Experienced in a broad range of commercial issues and skills including contract management skills throughout the contract lifecycle.
• Commercial understanding from customer through to supplier.
• Awareness and practical applicability of Intellectual Property and its protection.
• Good understanding of contract law and its applicability.
• Ability to draft or modify terms and conditions.
• Understanding Liabilities and mitigating Risk.
• Awareness of Import and Export restrictions and licencing requirements.
• Ability to understand and use pricing and costing models.
• Good Knowledge of IT and Business Tools including SAP.

Our Business:

We respect new perspectives and experiences, and we value our collaborative ways of working. We are committed to growing and supporting diversity in our workforce and ensuring everyone has an equal opportunity to reach their potential.   MBDA is proud of our employee-led networks, examples include: Gender Equality, Pride, Menopause Matters, Parents and Carers, Armed Forces, Ethnic Diversity, Neurodiversity 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. We also welcome applicants who are looking for flexible working arrangements.

Follow us on LinkedIn (MBDA), Twitter (@MBDAcareers), Instagram (lifeatMBDA_UK) and Glassdoor or visit our MBDA Careers website for more information.  

Please Note: MBDA UK Limited requires all employees to achieve the required medical and national security clearance for their role. Further restrictions and/or limitations relating to nationality and/or rights to work may also 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.

Due to the nature of our business, this particular vacancy requires the applicant as a minimum to be a British Citizen or a Dual UK national with British citizenship and capable of achieving the clearance levels mentioned above.