Job Description

ABOUT EDGE

At EDGE bold ideas are engineered into technologies that protect, improve and save lives.

Headquartered in the United Arab Emirates, EDGE is a leading advanced technology group working at the forefront of defence and emerging technologies. Spanning more than 35 specialised companies and multiple centres of excellence, we are purpose-built to move fast. Free from heavy legacy processes, we give our people the autonomy, accountability, and agility to bring breakthrough technologies from concept to reality.

Based in Abu Dhabi, a globally connected hub at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, EDGE is home to a truly multicultural community where bold ideas thrive, and the future is shaped.

Together, we are shaping the future.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Contract Manager is responsible for the end-to-end commercial and contractual management of complex contracts within the defence sector. The role requires a commercially astute, hands-on contracts professional with demonstrated experience in defence, aerospace, military, government, or similarly regulated contracting environments.

The successful candidate will be expected to independently draft, review, redline, negotiate and manage contracts, provide clear contractual and commercial recommendations to management, lead negotiations with customers, suppliers and partners, and prepare high-quality documentation required for internal governance and approval processes.

The Contract Manager is expected to exercise sound commercial judgement, identify and quantify contractual risks, recommend practical positions and solutions, and actively drive contractual matters through negotiation, approval and execution.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Contract Drafting, Review & Negotiation

• Draft, review, revise and redline a broad range of commercial and contractual documents, including customer and supplier contracts, subcontracts, framework agreements, teaming agreements, NDAs and MoUs.
• Independently assess proposed contractual terms and identify legal, commercial, financial, operational, programme and delivery risks.
• Develop recommended contractual positions, fallback positions and negotiation strategies based on the organisation's commercial objectives and risk appetite.
• Lead and actively participate in contract negotiations with customers, government entities, prime contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, partners and other counterparties.
• Negotiate key provisions including scope, pricing and payment, milestones, acceptance, warranties, indemnities, liabilities, intellectual property, confidentiality, security requirements, termination, delay, liquidated damages, performance guarantees and dispute resolution.
• Determine when Legal input is required and engage internal Legal appropriately on matters involving significant legal interpretation or other material legal issues.
• Consolidate input from Legal, Finance, Program, Procurement and other stakeholders into contractual positions.
• Maintain ownership of contractual actions from initial review through negotiation, internal approval and execution.
• Interpret contract requirements and provide clear, practical advice regarding contractual rights, obligations, risks and available courses of action.

Governance & Approvals

• Prepare comprehensive contract approval packages and governance submissions for management, committees and delegated authorities.
• Clearly identify material contractual deviations, risks, financial exposures and proposed mitigations for decision-makers.
• Maintain appropriate records demonstrating the rationale, approvals and authority supporting contractual decisions and commitments.

Additional Requirements

• Prepare clear and concise reports on contract status, negotiations, risks, outstanding actions and key commercial issues.
• Maintain contract risk registers and provide regular reporting to management.
• Escalate material contractual risks and recommend specific actions.
• Maintain accurate contract records, negotiation histories, approvals and executed documentation to support governance, audit and compliance requirements.
• Undertake any other duties, assignments or responsibilities as directed by management that are reasonably aligned with the role, business requirements and the employee’s professional capabilities.
• Provide contractual and commercial support on ad hoc projects, strategic initiatives and other matters as required by management.
• Support evolving organisational, program and operational requirements within the broader scope of the Contracts and Commercial function.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• A strong contract drafter with excellent attention to detail.
• Commercially minded and able to balance contractual protection with program and business objectives.
• Able to distinguish between material contractual risks and issues that can reasonably be accepted or mitigated.
• Comfortable making clear recommendations rather than simply presenting risks or referring decisions to others.
• Highly organised and able to manage multiple contracts, negotiations and approval processes simultaneously.
• Confident working cross-functionally with Legal, Finance, Program Management, Procurement, Engineering and senior leadership.
• Comfortable operating in a controlled environment involving sensitive programmes, confidentiality requirements and formal governance processes.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Defence procurement and contracting environments.
• Government and sovereign customers.
• Prime contractor and subcontractor arrangements.
• Complex defence programmes and long-term supply or support contracts.

WHY CHOOSE EDGE

Launched in November 2019, the UAE's EDGE is one of the world's leading advanced technology groups, established to develop agile, bold and disruptive solutions for defence and beyond, and to be a catalyst for change and transformation. It is dedicated to bringing breakthrough innovations, products, and services to market with greater speed and efficiency, to position the UAE as a leading global hub for future industries, and to creating clear paths within the sector for the next generation of highly skilled talent to thrive.

At EDGE, the real investment goes beyond compensation. Through our dedicated learning academy and digital learning platforms, employees have access to extensive opportunities to develop new skills, deepen their expertise, and advance their careers. Combined with the freedom to innovate, strong career support, and the opportunity to collaborate with world-class talent from across the globe, EDGE is a place where you can continue to grow, keep learning, and turn ambitious ideas into meaningful outcomes.

Working at EDGE also comes with a package that genuinely reflects how much we value our people. Salaries are highly competitive and tax-free and, depending on your role and seniority, benefits can include family visas, annual flight tickets, medical insurance for you and your dependents, and education allowances for your children.

CANDIDATE PRIVACY & EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

If you feel your skills, experience and potential are a strong match for a role, we encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet every requirement. We are genuinely interested in what you can bring to EDGE.

Any information you share as part of your EDGE candidate profile or job application will be handled in accordance with applicable data protection and privacy regulations.

EDGE is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and high-performing workforce. We believe every individual deserves to be treated with fairness, respect and dignity, and our employment decisions reflect that. We do not discriminate based on race, colour, nationality, ethnicity, religion, gender, marital status, age, disability, pregnancy or parental status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

As a global organisation, effective collaboration across international teams is central to how we work, so English proficiency is required for all roles unless otherwise stated in the job posting.

Please note that EDGE does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruitment agencies. Any resumes in the absence of a formally executed agreement in place will be deemed the property of EDGE, and no placement fees or compensation will be payable in respect of such submissions.