Interim Commercial Manager (CR/007182)

Location: South Coast or Bristol

Role Type: Hybrid

Rate: £500 – £600 per day Inside IR35

Maternity leave cover until May 2027

We are seeking an experienced Interim Commercial Manager to provide maternity cover on a high-profile, agile 10-year defence programme. This is an exciting opportunity to join a complex, fast-paced programme environment where commercial leadership, stakeholder management, and strong negotiation skills are essential.

The successful candidate will play a key role in ensuring commercial soundness across contracts, protecting programme margin, and supporting effective delivery across a busy portfolio.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide commercial leadership and support across programme contracts within a complex defence environment.
• Influence outcomes to ensure commercially sound decisions across internal teams and customer engagements.
• Resolve complex commercial and contractual issues that do not have routine solutions.
• Challenge internal and external stakeholders where necessary to ensure risks are minimised, changes are captured, and contractual obligations are met.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with customers and key stakeholders across the business.
• Lead or support moderately complex commercial negotiations.
• Ensure commercial governance and business processes are appropriately applied within delegated authority levels.
• Support the wider commercial team across the portfolio and help manage competing priorities.
• Provide guidance and support to junior colleagues, contributing to their development.

Key Skills & Experience

• Significant experience operating within a Commercial Manager or Senior Commercial role.
• Strong understanding of commercial principles, contract management, and governance processes.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills across senior stakeholders.
• Proven ability to resolve complex commercial challenges across multiple contracts or business areas.
• Confidence to challenge behaviours, decisions, and actions where required to protect programme outcomes.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while exercising sound judgement and initiative.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise workload and deliver to deadlines.
• High attention to detail with a consistent track record of producing accurate work.
• Experience supporting or leading negotiations.
• Appreciation of the relevant business market and domain knowledge supporting the commercial solution.
• Willingness to support and develop junior team members.

Additional Information

• Candidates with defence, government, or complex programme experience will be particularly well suited to this role.
• This role sits within a large, long-term programme with significant stakeholder engagement, requiring strong relationship management and commercial insight.

Please message Sara.McDonnell@arguilesearch.com for more info.

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