Legal & Contracts Manager

Legal & Contracts Manager – Defence Sector

Ideally Bristol but open to further afield with monthly Bristol visits

We’re working on a CM for a leading organisation within the defence and mission-critical systems sector, seeking an experienced Legal & Contracts Manager / Commercial Contracts Manager to join a high-profile mission systems environment.

This role would suit someone with a strong legal or contracts background who enjoys operating at the intersection of law, commercial strategy, and complex defence programmes.

You’ll play a key role in providing commercial and contractual leadership across a portfolio of defence projects, supporting bid activity, contract negotiation, and lifecycle management. Working closely with legal, programme, and senior stakeholder teams, you’ll help ensure contracts are robust, compliant, and commercially sound.

• Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating complex commercial and defence contracts
• Advising stakeholders on contractual risk, legal exposure, and mitigation strategies
• Supporting bids, tenders, and contract amendments
• Managing contracts through the full lifecycle, from pre-award to close-out
• Interpreting and applying UK defence, procurement, and regulatory frameworks
• Acting as a trusted advisor to senior internal stakeholders

• Strong background in contracts, commercial law, or legal advisory roles
• Experience with in defence, aerospace, engineering, government, or regulated sectors
• Confident negotiating complex contractual terms and conditions
• Comfortable engaging with senior stakeholders and cross-functional teams
• Legally trained professional is advantageous (but not essential)

• Ideally Bristol-based, but the client is open to candidates further afield
• Expectation to attend the Bristol office a few times per month

• Work on nationally significant defence programmes
• High-impact role with real visibility and influence

If you’d like to explore this opportunity discreetly, apply via Linked In or get in touch for a confidential discussion.