Technical & Professional skills
· Knowledge of UK MoD and/or Export commercial contract activities
· Full understanding of commercial risks and liabilities
· Ability to write commercial proposals and draft contracts and agreements
· Team player with well developed communication skills and an ability to influence decisions at senior management level.
· Confidence to liaise effectively with colleagues and to handle detailed negotiations with customers, being aware of and able to focus on customer needs and to deal effectively with other Thales companies/business partners
· Able to support the change process in the Services BU, to improve effectiveness
· Ability to provide advice and guidance on commercial matters to colleagues working in other Business Units

Education & Qualifications
· Educated to degree level or equivalent level of relevant experience

Primary Purpose of the Role
The Senior Contracts Officer is responsible for supporting the achievement of Thales Aerospace, Services Business Unit (BU) financial/strategic objectives and compliance with ethical and contractual undertakings, and for the commercial integrity of the commitments being made on behalf of Thales Aerospace. This entails:
· Participating in and supporting the contractual affairs of Business Units throughout the Project Life Cycle,
· Identifying and ensuring the mitigation of commercial risk ·Ensure the correct formulation of costed proposals and identification of commercial exposures during Contract Acquisition, and
· Ensuring new business opportunities are pursued in accordance with the Contract Acquisition Process in CMS.
· Ensure the contractual soundness of project performance during the Product Supply Phase

Key Tasks
To support the decision-making process of Business Unit Management Teams in pursuance of the overall business objectives. To establish and maintain good customer relationships and communications with the customer's counterpart within the context of an overall Thales Aerospace Relationship Management Plan To support the specific activities of, and when required deputise for the Commercial Manager, undertaking agreed secondary duties as delegated and supporting the running of his/her section of the Services BU Commercial Team, including:
· Adherence to departmental procedures and the Tender Vet process
· Providing advice and guidance to Commercial Staff in the Services BU
Undertaking contract acquisition responsibilities by:·
· Ensuring the receipt and acknowledgement of enquiries and the timely and accurate submission of bids and proposals (internal and external)
· Assisting Bid Managers to generate Proposal Documentation matched to Customer requirements, particularly the Commercial Response, Risk Register and Executive Summary.
· In conjunction with Legal Department providing guidance on compliance to terms and conditions, identifying the flow down of