Senior Contract Officer

Senior Contract Officer

Bedford Permanent 50k

Join a world-class UK research and development facility at the forefront of aerospace and advanced engineering. From testing next-generation aircraft designs to delivering precision engineering solutions, this organisation partners with global industry leaders to push the boundaries of technology.

We're looking for a commercially minded professional to join the team in Bedford as a Senior Contract Officer. This is a newly developed role, created to bring specialist commercial expertise into a growing business that operates within the defence sector.

Working closely with the Head of Commercial, you'll be involved throughout the full sales lifecycle - from bids and proposals through to delivery and contract closure. You'll help negotiate and manage customer contracts, interpret complex terms and conditions, and bring order and clarity to challenging situations.

What You'll Be Doing

• Shaping and reviewing commercial propositions for bids and proposals.
• Negotiating and supporting contracts with major defence sector customers.
• Providing commercial advice to delivery teams and senior stakeholders.
• Applying governance with good judgement (not just box-ticking).
• Supporting contract administration, reporting, and closure activities.

What We're Looking For

• Experience in contracts, terms & conditions, or commercial management, ideally in the defence or technical sector.
• A curious, self-motivated mindset with strong problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication skills and the confidence to work with senior stakeholders.
• Organised, collaborative, and able to simplify complex issues.
• Strong IT literacy (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

This is a chance to make a real impact in a specialist, growing team. You'll be working directly with senior leadership, gaining exposure to the full commercial lifecycle, and helping shape the way the company manages its customer contracts.