Job Description

📍 Oxford, UK | 🕒 Full-Time | 🗓 Permanent

Volantes are delighted to be supporting one of our long-standing, well-established rotary aviation partners in Oxford with the recruitment of an experienced Commercial Manager – Civil to join their commercial business team.

This is a high-impact role at the heart of their civilian helicopter operations, playing a key part in driving commercial excellence and ensuring the successful delivery of complex aviation contracts.

The Opportunity

As Commercial Manager, you’ll lead the financial and contractual delivery of major civil helicopter programmes, overseeing the entire contract lifecycle — from initial sales and customisation through to maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO).

You’ll act as the primary commercial point of contact for customers, negotiating and managing high-value contracts and ensuring they’re delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest standard.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development, negotiation, and execution of high-value commercial contracts.

• Proactively manage the contract lifecycle to ensure profitability and compliance.

• Serve as the primary commercial interface for customers, managing amendments and change orders.

• Work collaboratively across Sales, Design, Production, and Finance to ensure seamless execution.

• Identify, assess and mitigate commercial and contractual risks.

• Contribute to continuous improvement across commercial processes and frameworks.

Skills & Experience Required

• Proven experience in commercial, contract management or similar roles with strong commercial acumen.

• Track record of leading complex contract negotiations.

• Strong financial analysis and business case development skills.

• Excellent communication, interpersonal and influencing abilities at all levels.

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Business, Law or a related field.

• Ability to obtain DBS and Security Clearance.

Desirable

• Experience managing contracts exceeding £5 million.

• Exposure to the aviation, aerospace, or other complex engineering sectors.

What’s on Offer

• Competitive base salary

• Private Medical Insurance

• Generous pension scheme

• Annual company bonus schemes

• Health and lifestyle benefits through flexible employee programmes

Additional Requirements

• Legal right to work in the UK.

• Ability to obtain DBS and SC clearance.

• Must meet Export Compliance Regulations.

If you’re a commercially minded professional with a proven track record in high-value contract management, this is an outstanding opportunity to make a real impact in the civil helicopter sector.