Contracts Manager

We are recruiting for an experienced Contracts Specialist to lead the review, negotiation and amendment of commercial contract documentation in support of the Sales function.

The role will provide contractual and commercial support throughout customer negotiations, ensuring proposed terms align with business objectives while appropriately managing legal, financial and operational risk.

You will also provide contractual support across the wider organisation, working closely with Procurement, Projects, Customer Support, senior management and external legal advisers. The role offers a broad remit covering contract development, negotiation, risk management, contract variations, disputes and general contractual and legal matters.

Main Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain standard contracts and associated commercial documentation.
• Review and critically analyse customer contractual documentation, identifying key risks and areas requiring amendment.
• Support the Sales team with contract negotiations and advise on appropriate contractual amendments.
• Liaise with and instruct UK and overseas legal advisers where required.
• Work closely with internal and external stakeholders to translate technical and commercial requirements into robust contractual provisions.
• Draft, review and amend a range of commercial agreements, including NDAs, supplier agreements, customer contracts, terms and conditions, side agreements and framework agreements.
• Identify and assess legal, financial and operational risks and develop appropriate mitigation strategies.
• Balance contractual risk against commercial objectives and business requirements.
• Provide contractual advice and support to other departments across the organisation.
• Liaise with Customer Support regarding maintenance and service contracts.
• Work with the Projects team to support the effective execution of contractual obligations, contract variations and dispute resolution.
• Provide ad hoc contractual and legal support on areas including GDPR and data protection, insurance, intellectual property, NDAs and general commercial matters.
• Liaise with senior management and Directors on contractual and legal matters as required.
• Ensure contractual documentation supports the commercial position of the business while maintaining a practical and balanced approach.

Person Specification

We're looking for a commercially minded contracts professional with strong knowledge of contract law and experience working with complex commercial agreements.

Essential:

• Formal qualifications or equivalent relevant experience in engineering, construction, law or a related commercial discipline.
• Strong experience working as a Contracts Specialist, Contracts Manager, Contract Specialist or in a similar commercial/contracts-focused position.
• Good knowledge of English contract law and the UK legal system.
• Demonstrable experience identifying, assessing and managing contractual and commercial risk.
• Ability to develop appropriate risk mitigation strategies while balancing commercial objectives and business needs.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with excellent negotiation and analytical abilities.
• Ability to review and improve contractual documentation to strengthen the company's commercial position.
• Strong stakeholder management skills and the ability to work effectively with Sales, Procurement, Projects, Customer Support, senior management and external advisers.
• Ability to recognise when matters need to be escalated to management.
• Comfortable working under pressure, managing conflicting priorities and remaining calm in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong IT skills, particularly Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Willingness and ability to travel overseas regularly, often at short notice, with flexibility to work beyond contracted hours when required.

Desirable:

• A recognised contract qualification or equivalent relevant experience.
• Experience within gas turbines, power generation, CHP or another related engineering environment.
• Working knowledge of European legal systems, particularly French, German or Italian contract law/civil codes.
• Experience dealing with bank guarantee documentation, including advance payment, performance and warranty guarantees.

The Opportunity

This is a varied and commercially focused Contracts Specialist position, offering the opportunity to work across multiple areas of the business and have a direct impact on the management of contractual risk and commercial relationships.

The successful candidate will be someone who enjoys working through complex contractual documentation, negotiating practical solutions and working closely with colleagues across the business.

You will need to be confident dealing with both commercial and technical requirements, able to explain contractual risks clearly to non-legal colleagues and comfortable working with internal stakeholders, customers and external legal advisers.

Experience within engineering, construction, manufacturing, energy, power generation or another technical environment would be particularly relevant.

Your CV will be forwarded to Jonathan Lee Recruitment, a leading engineering and manufacturing recruitment consultancy established in 1978. The services advertised by Jonathan Lee Recruitment are those of an Employment Agency.
In order for your CV to be processed effectively, please ensure your name, email address, phone number and location (post code OR town OR county, as a minimum) are included.

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