Principal Commercial Officer (Contracts)

Principal Commercial Officer (Contracts)

A strong background in contract management and negotiation is essential for this role, ideally within a regulated environment where risk, compliance and stakeholder management matter.

We are recruiting for a Principal Commercial Officer to join a well established organisation delivering complex UK programmes. This role sits in a commercial team supporting bids, negotiations and live contract delivery, with real exposure to senior stakeholders and varied contract activity.

Role: Principal Commercial Officer
Type: Permanent, full time
Location: Stevenage, Hertfordshire (hybrid, typically 2 to 3 days per week on site)
Salary: -50,000 - -55,000 depending on experience, plus bonus and benefits

Key responsibilities

• Run commercial contracts end to end, from helping shape bids and negotiating terms through to delivery, managing changes and closing everything out properly.
• Support new work coming in by reviewing and drafting contract terms and helping move things through the route to contract process.
• Get stuck into negotiations, helping reach agreement while keeping within internal approvals and commercial boundaries.
• Be the go-to person for the project teams day to day, giving clear advice on risk, liabilities, amendments and what the contract actually means in practice.
• Keep the commercial admin and contract records accurate and up to date in the relevant systems, including SAP where needed.
• Build strong working relationships across the business and with customers and partners externally.
• Help improve how the team works and, when needed, support and guide more junior team members.

What we''re looking for

• You''ve managed commercial contracts end to end, not just one part of the process.
• You''re confident in negotiation and you can build trust with different stakeholders, even when views clash.
• You''ve dealt with more complex, higher value agreements and you naturally think about risk and opportunity as you go.
• You have a solid practical grasp of contract law and can apply terms and conditions in the real world, not just quote them.
• You understand liabilities, change control and how to spot issues early and reduce risk.
• You''re comfortable around IP topics and, ideally, you''ve had some exposure to import or export controls and licensing.
• You''re organised, calm under pressure, and happy working to deadlines in a busy environment.

Security clearance and eligibility
Because of the security requirements attached to this work, we can only consider applicants who hold British citizenship (including dual nationals with British citizenship). BPSS checks will be carried out at offer stage. Eligibility requirements relating to nationality and right to work may apply.