Senior Contract Manager

About the Role and Organization

Based in Singapore, this position is with Thales, a renowned global technology leader specializing in aerospace, cybersecurity, digital identity, and defense sectors. Established in Singapore since 1973, Thales operates three sites locally with approximately 2,000 employees delivering advanced solutions in aerospace including air traffic management, defense, security, and cybersecurity.

The role is within the Legal, Contract and Compliance Department (LC&C) supporting Southeast Asia operations. Reporting to the Director for Southeast Asia, the position focuses on Defense & Security, Air Management Systems, R&D projects in Singapore and the wider region.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the entire contract lifecycle management for designated portfolios, ensuring compliance, governance, and timely execution.
• Develop negotiation strategies and provide strategic commercial and legal advice.
• Manage contract-related risks and enforce governance processes thoroughly.
• Supervise and coach a Contract Manager, managing workload priorities and quality control.
• Maintain detailed, auditable contract documentation and reporting frameworks.
• Support tender submissions, offers, contract variations, and extensions.
• Recommend contractual frameworks that enhance competitiveness while adhering to regulations.
• Draft, review, and negotiate contracts with clients, partners, and subcontractors.
• Contribute to internal risk assessment and financial exposure evaluation along with mitigation strategies.
• Identify opportunities to safeguard or improve financial outcomes of projects.
• Prepare contractual documentation for internal approvals including management recommendations.
• Manage contracts throughout project timelines, maintaining updated baselines and ensuring the project team understands contractual obligations, rights, deadlines, and deliverables.
• Proactively address deviations via contractual notices, waivers, amendments, claims, or clarifications.
• Lead project risk and opportunity strategies collaboratively with leadership, including claims preparation and value protection activities.
• Coordinate contractual communication with customers ensuring consistency and strategic alignment.
• Interface with Litigation Department during disputes to provide support including documentation and legal strategy inputs.
• Manage contractual aspects of key subcontractors and suppliers or collaborate with relevant contract teams.
• Lead and manage the Contract Manager's daily activities, setting objectives, conducting check-ins, and providing coaching and feedback.
• Enforce adherence to company contract governance including workflows, record keeping, and version controls.
• Drive contract interpretation consistency and commercial decision-making in line with company policies and risk appetites.
• Serve as the primary reference for contractual matters within the assigned portfolio and provide strategic advice to stakeholders.
• Participate in departmental initiatives to improve contractual templates, tools, and practices for complex projects.
• Support compliance processes related to tenders and projects, including third-party screenings coordinated with Compliance Officers in areas such as antitrust, anticorruption, data protection, and trade compliance.
• Escalate potential compliance issues when necessary.
• Provide country-specific legal insights to global, regional, or corporate teams.
• Engage external counsel as required to manage complex legal or contractual issues, claims, or litigation within the region.
• Contribute to cross-functional working groups within the LC&C Department on contract management, IP, insurance, and standard contracts.
• Deliver training to operational teams on compliance and contract management topics.

Candidate Profile and Requirements

• Advanced degree, preferably at Master’s level, in Law, Contract Management, Business, or related discipline, including specialization in Law.
• Between 10 and 15 years of professional experience as a legal counsel or contract manager within an international corporate legal department.
• Strong analytical and synthesis capabilities allowing for accurate assessments and pragmatic solutions.
• Deep understanding of compliance programs in multinational corporations.
• Expertise in third-party screening and compliance analyses.
• Demonstrated proactivity towards stakeholders and strong priority management skills.
• Leadership and coaching aptitude fostering team growth.
• Collaborative mindset with willingness to share best practices and experiences.
• Excellent communication and listening abilities.
• Cultural awareness and readiness to work within diverse, international teams.
• Fluent in IT tools including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and various data exchange platforms.
• Willingness to travel regularly within Southeast Asia (up to once monthly) and occasionally to Europe (up to once a year).

What This Role Offers

• Opportunity to manage contractual aspects of a complex, high-profile program in Singapore.
• Significant autonomy, impact, and visibility within the organization.
• Interaction with senior leaders and cross-functional teams in a collaborative international environment.
• Supportive workplace culture valuing respect, trust, collaboration, and passion.