Contracts Manager

This is an exciting opportunity to work in a pioneering space company leading the Contracts department.

You will be an effective and confident communicator from both a written and verbal perspective with excellent analytical skills and enjoy leading a small team.

About SSTL: Considered the pioneers of the small satellite market, and with a heritage that spans over 40 years, SSTL prides itself in continual innovation and improvement of space technologies, products and services, as well as in delivering space missions for a broad array of applications. Since 1981, SSTL has had a unique position in the global space industry – delivering comprehensive multi-year, hands-on training programmes all around the world. As a result of SSTL training programmes space agencies have been formed in 6 space-developing nations and flourishing space ecosystems have been established

Key Tasks

As Team Leader you will be responsible for:

• Organisation: day-to-day operations, organising, supporting and sharing in the team’s work and goals.

• Contractual: you’re and the team’s preparation, negotiation and management of all SSTL contractual commitments relating to projects and new business from acquisition of project to contract closure.

• Team Building: encouraging and motivating the team; team player mentality.

• Mentoring & Coaching: provide coaching, training, and mentoring where applicable.

• Leading by example.

• Providing a clear vision for the team.

Previous Experience

Essential:

• Demonstrated proven experience within the contractual field.

• Previous experience leading and working within a team with the ability to mentor and develop colleagues.

• In depth knowledge of contracts principles, drafting and interpretation.

• Experience of identifying contractual risk and proposing effective mitigation strategies.

• Managing high value and complex proposals and contracts in the UK and for export.

• Negotiating high value contracts and amendments.

• Drafting and negotiating a wide variety of contractual documents such as NDAs, Licence Agreements, Heads of Agreement, Teaming Agreements, Memorandum of Understanding etc.

• Space contracting, including European Space Agency (ESA).

• UK MOD contracting on a range of proposals and contracts, including single source contracts and implementing the Single Source Contracting Regulations on those contracts.

• This job requires an awareness of any potential compliance risks and a commitment to act with integrity, as the foundation for SSTL’s success, reputation and sustainable growth.

Desirable:

• Educated to Degree level.

• Space industry experience, including European Space Agency (ESA), UKSA funding (CEOI, NSIP).
• UK MOD contracting on a range of proposals and contracts, including single source contracts and implementing the Single Source Contracting Regulations on those contracts

• Experience in US Department of Defence contracting.

Qualifications Knowledge & Skills

• Excellent inter-personal and communication skills, able to influence, persuade and negotiate with people at all levels (externally & internally) as well as to assist in reaching compromises when there are conflicting requirements

• High degree of organisation, self-motivation and initiative

• Good team working skills, together with the ability to interface with others at all levels

• Good presentation skills and customer facing skills

• Results orientated with a strong drive to deliver

• Flexible and adaptable to changing priorities

• Pro-active and able to take initiative

• Excellent planning and organising skills

• Highly organised with clear communication skills

• Ability to work simultaneously on a variety of projects

• Able to work autonomously and using own initiative

• Excellent inter-personal skills - both written and oral communications; ability to interface with customers and technical representatives

• Decision making and creative problem solving skills

• Ability to multi-task and deliver both immediate and longer term tasks

• Proven ability to deliver solutions under pressure and to tight timescales

• Good knowledge of MS Office Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Microsoft Project

• Able to demonstrate company mindsets and behaviours; Be accountable, Drive & delivery, Communicate effectively, Self-manage effectively, Work as one team

Location

The role is based in our Head Office in Guildford reporting to the Finance Director with 2 direct reports. Initially on-site full time for the first 6 months. Subsequent Hybrid working would be in accordance with SSTL’s Hybrid Working policy.

Benefits

Our comprehensive benefits package includes; 32 days Holiday plus Bank Holidays, Pension Scheme with Life Assurance, Private Medical & International Travel Insurance, Annual Bonus Scheme, Share Incentive Plan, Enhanced Maternity, Paternity & Shared Parental Pay for new parents, High Street Discount Scheme and many more!