Senior Commercial Manager at BAE Systems in Portsmouth, England, GB

This vacancy is open to permanent and fixed-term BAE Systems employees only. While agency workers have access to relevant permanent opportunities, this role has been designated as an internal opportunity and therefore only permanent and fixed-term employees of BAE Systems are eligible to apply.

You’re expected to have completed 12 months in role prior to applying for an advertised vacancy and you should also discuss the internal opportunity with your line manager to ensure sustained business continuity and to further support your career development.

We know there may be exceptional individual circumstances that impact this, in the first instance please discuss this with your line manager.

If you don’t feel you can talk to your Line Manager, you can contact your HRBP.

PLEASE NOTE: Should you be invited for interview; you acknowledge that the Recruitment team will contact you and your line manager regarding your application for this opportunity.

Senior Commercial Manager

We currently have an opportunity for a Senior Commercial Manager in our Underwater Battlespace area of Products.

As Senior Commercial Manager you will play a key role in shaping and delivering commercial strategy across a dynamic and mission-critical portfolio. This position offers the opportunity to influence high-value programmes, work with multidisciplinary teams, and benefit from strong leadership development opportunities to support your career progression.

Your main responsibilities as Senior Commercial Manager:

· As part of the Underwater Battlespace management team, you will lead the development and execution of commercial strategies across complex, technically advanced underwater defence programmes

· Lead a Commercial team to provide expert commercial guidance across bids and contracts, including pricing models, cost structures, and risk allocation for high-value engineering solutions

· Work closely with engineering, programme, legal and finance teams to ensure commercial decisions are aligned with technical delivery, cost control, legal and performance requirements

· Oversee contract negotiations, including drafting and interpretation of complex terms (e.g. incentives, change, IP, and through-life support arrangements)

· Drive robust commercial governance, including risk management, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement aligned to defence and export control requirements

Your Skills and Experience:

· Proven experience in a senior commercial or contracts management role within the defence or aerospace sectors working directly with the UK MOD as well as export customers.

· Strong commercial acumen with a deep understanding of pricing strategies, cost drivers, and programme financials.

· Experience working closely with key stakeholders, with the ability to interpret customer requirements and translate them into commercial solutions.

· Demonstrated success negotiating complex, high-value contracts, including long-term or through-life support agreements.

· Flexible, proactive mindset with the ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, complex, and evolving environments.

Location: Portsmouth - hybrid

Grade: GG13

The Commercial team:

The Products commercial team comprises of 31 commercial professionals of all grades and experience who provide valued and trusted business advice by ensuring a balance of both maximising opportunities and managing business risk. The team is a close-knit supportive team that also has the benefit of reach back into the wider commercial community across the BAE Systems Corporation across the world that also presents unrivalled opportunities for career development and growth.

Maritime Defence Solutions

As part of Defence Solutions, our Warship Support and Products businesses play a vital role in ensuring naval forces remain equipped, ready, and capable across the full spectrum of operations, both at sea and on land.

In Warship Support, we sustain the Royal Navy’s surface fleet from HM Naval Base Portsmouth, from platform maintenance and system upgrades to deployed operational support, we work alongside the Royal Navy to ensure fleet availability and mission readiness. Our work ranges from routine dockyard tasks to complex engineering enhancements, keeping everything from T45 Destroyers to Type 23 Frigates and Aircraft Carriers modern, effective, and ready for operations.

Across our Maritime Products portfolio, we deliver advanced systems and equipment such as combat systems, sensors, propulsion technologies, and training solutions. From torpedoes like Sting Ray and Spearfish and mine neutraliser Archerfish to cutting-edge radar systems such as Sampson, Artisan and Commander Land our technology gives the Royal Navy and its allies superior detection, tracking, and engagement capability. These systems sit at the core of modern naval operations, ensuring platforms perform in the most demanding maritime environments.

We operate across the UK and are proud to employ skilled professionals across engineering, manufacturing, project management, logistics, and more. Join us, and you’ll contribute to critical defence programmes that protect national security and support front-line operations.

Please be aware that many roles working for BAE Systems will be subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors including your nationality, any previous nationalities you have held, and your place of birth may limit those roles you can perform for the organisation.

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