Contract Manager

Location: Reading, United Kingdom

In fast changing markets, customers worldwide rely on Thales. Thales is a business where brilliant people from all over the world come together to share ideas and inspire each other. In aerospace, transportation, defence, security and space, our architects design innovative solutions that make our tomorrow's possible.

Together we offer fantastic opportunities for committed employees to learn and develop their career with us. At Thales UK, we research, develop, and supply technology and services that impact the lives of millions of people each day to make life better, and keep us safer. We innovate across the major industries of Aerospace, Defence, Security and Space. Your health and well-being matters to us and that’s why we offer you the flexibility to do what’s important to you; whether that’s part time hours, job sharing, home working, or the ability to flex your start and finish times. Where possible, we support a working pattern that suits your lifestyle and helps you reach your ambitions.

THALES is looking for a Contracts Manager to play a key role in shaping and managing the contractual landscape across some of our most exciting and strategically important programmes. Operating within our Legal & Contracts (L&C) function, you will support bids and projects of medium–high complexity, working closely with internal teams, international customers and partners and cutting‑edge technologies that contribute to a safer, more connected world.

Location – Green Park

What can we offer you?

On offer is a competitive salary and benefits package, including:

• Performance‑related bonus
• Hybrid working options
• Pension scheme
• 28 days annual leave (plus Bank Holidays)
• Life cover
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme and access to mental wellbeing support
• Employee discount schemes with major brands and retailers
• Learning, development and global career progression opportunities

In addition, this role offers:

• Opportunities to work with governments, industrial partners, customers and joint ventures worldwide
• Exposure to diverse cultures and international working environments
• Occasional international travel
• Involvement in projects utilising cutting‑edge Thales technologies

What will you deliver?

Working independently but with support from the Head of Contracts, you will oversee the contractual affairs for designated areas of the business.

• Lead end‑to‑end contract management, ensuring compliance and alignment with business goals.
• Review, draft and negotiate contractual terms while identifying and escalating key commercial risks.
• Support bid and project teams in understanding contractual obligations and manage NDAs and related documentation.
• Maintain accurate and complete contractual records.
• Build strong relationships with customers, suppliers, partners and JV consortiums.
• Support customer payment processes and achievement of performance milestones.
• Provide commercial insight and support to bid, project and programme teams.
• Lead or support negotiations and contract change activities.
• Oversee trade compliance and support supply‑chain flow‑down and gap analysis.
• Ensure adherence to company policies and procedures.
• Prepare internal approval documentation such as legal memos, gate reviews and slide packs.

Who are we looking for?

You will bring a strong commercial mindset, excellent communication skills and proven contract management experience. Specifically:

• Excellent communication, relationship‑building and influencing skills
• Good commercial and business awareness
• Ability to plan, prioritise and self‑manage in periods of high workload intensity
• Resilience and tenacity, particularly during complex bid activities
• Experience in contract management, drafting and negotiation
• Understanding of how to assess and communicate risk

This role will require SC Clearance. It would be advantageous if currently held, however, if not currently held, it is a requirement that the successful applicant will undergo, achieve, and maintain SC Clearance.  Please visit the UKSV website for further guidance.

To be eligible for full SC, you generally need to have resided in the UK for the last 5 years.  In some circumstances, a minimum of 3 years’ residence in the UK over the last 5 years may be accepted, with additional overseas checks.

For further details of the evidence required to apply for Baseline and Security Clearance please refer to the National Security Vetting (NSV) Agency - United Kingdom Security Vetting - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

#LI-DOM

In line with Thales' Baseline Security requirements, candidates will be asked to provide evidence of identity, eligibility to work in the UK and employment and/or education history for up to three years. Some vacancies may require full Security Clearance which can require further evidence to be provided. For further details of the evidence required to apply for Baseline and Security Clearance please refer to the Defence Business Services National Security Vetting (DBS NSV) Agency.

At Thales we provide CAREERS and not only jobs. With Thales employing 80,000 employees in 68 countries our mobility policy enables thousands of employees each year to develop their careers at home and abroad, in their existing areas of expertise or by branching out into new fields. Together we believe that embracing flexibility is a smarter way of working.

Thales UK is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free recruitment process. We will provide reasonable adjustments and support to ensure neuro-diverse applicants or those with a disability or long-term condition can be their best during the recruitment process. To request an adjustment, if you need this job advert in an alternative format or if you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Resourcing Ops for mid to senior roles, or the Early Careers Team for graduate and apprentice roles.

Great journeys start here, apply now!