Contracts Manager

Contracts Specialist

Lead the review, negotiation, and amendment of contract documents in support of the Sales Department, working from company-standard documentation or customer-proposed sales contracts. Provide commercial and contractual support throughout customer negotiations, ensuring that proposed terms align with the organization’s commercial objectives and risk requirements.

Provide contractual support and advice to other departments across the organization, including but not limited to affiliate entities, Procurement, Projects, and Customer Support, in the administration and management of new and existing contracts. Assist when requested in the resolution of contract disputes, management of contract variations, and identification, assessment, and mitigation of contractual and commercial risks.

Provide ad hoc contractual and legal support across the organization, including liaising with Directors, Human Resources, and other relevant stakeholders on a broad range of contract and legal matters. This includes, but is not limited to, GDPR and data protection, insurance, non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), intellectual property, and other general contractual and legal queries.

Main Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain in-house standard contracts and associated documentation.
• Review and critically analyse customers’ contractual documentation.
• Liaise with and instruct UK and overseas lawyers as necessary.
• Provide support and advice to the Sales team about contract negotiation and required amendments.
• Work closely with internal and external stakeholders to translate technical and commercial requirements into robust contractual provisions, ensuring legal, technical, and commercial requirements are captured in line with project objectives.
• Draft, review, and amend commercial agreements (NDAs, supplier agreements, customer contracts, terms and conditions agreements, side agreements, framework agreements) and the protective provisions required.
• Identify and assess legal, financial, and operational risks and escalate to the appropriate level of the organization per established processes.
• Liaise with the Customer Support Department regarding maintenance contracts.
• Liaise with the Projects Department to assist with the efficient execution of contractual obligations and dispute resolution.
• The organization reserves the right to vary or amend the duties and responsibilities of the post holder at any time according to business needs.

Person Specification

Essential

• Formal qualifications or equivalent relevant experience in engineering, construction, or law with sound experience as a contract specialist or similar position.
• Good knowledge of the English legal system and contract law.
• Demonstrable experience in identifying and assessing contractual and commercial risks, developing appropriate mitigation strategies, and effectively balancing risk exposure against commercial objectives and business needs.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, together with negotiation and analytical skills. Ability to improve documentation to support the organization’s position while maintaining a balanced approach.
• The ability to interface with and support other departments and colleagues and to refer matters to management as required.
• Ability to work under pressure, stay calm, and handle conflicting priorities.
• Fluent IT skills in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Able to travel regularly overseas (often at short notice) and flexibility to work beyond contracted hours.

Desirable

• Contract qualification or equivalent experience.
• Working knowledge of European legal systems (e.g., French, German, or Italian Civil Codes) as they relate to contracts.
• Previous experience dealing with supporting bank guarantee documentation (advance payment, performance, and warranty).

9 Day working fortnight

Salary - DOE