Launch Services Contracts Manager

Responsibilities

Launch Services Category Strategy & Market Intelligence

• Own and develop the global launch services sourcing strategy for cube-sat and small satellite missions, aligned to constellation deployment plans and business growth objectives.
• Conduct continuous market benchmarking and analysis across the global launch provider landscape – dedicated and rideshare payload options – tracking pricing, capacity, cadence, reliability and emerging entrants.
• Build and maintain cost models, price benchmarks and total cost of ownership analysis covering launch services, integration, mission management, insurance and associated logistics.
• Translate market data into actionable sourcing recommendations, advising senior leadership on launch capacity risk, pricing trends and long-term positioning.

Vendor Sourcing, Qualification & Onboarding

• Identify, assess and qualify launch providers and integration partners globally, evaluating technical capability, manifest availability, launch heritage, reliability record and financial stability.
• Lead competitive tendering activity – RFI, RFP and RFQ processes – through to award recommendation and business case approval.
• Manage supplier onboarding end-to-end, including due diligence, compliance screening, trade and export control checks, and commercial set-up.
• Develop a portfolio of qualified launch providers across multiple geographies and vehicle classes in line with business growth needs and secure a resilient launch capacity for Spire.

Commercial Frameworks & Negotiation

• Design, develop and implement launch contract frameworks, templates and standard terms – including launch services agreements, rideshare and aggregator agreements, multi-launch and block-buy arrangements, and integration services contracts.
• Lead all commercial negotiations with launch providers, securing advantageous pricing, payment milestones, schedule commitments, re-flight and re-launch provisions, liability and risk allocation, and termination protections.
• Negotiate long-term agreements and framework contracts that secure preferential pricing, guaranteed capacity, launch slot options and schedule flexibility.
• Ensure contracts are commercially sound, clearly scoped, technically accurate and aligned to programme requirements, working closely with Legal and Finance.
• Develop closed-loop commercial mechanisms linking non-conformance, launch delay and mission failure to remedies, credits and renegotiation strategies.

Supplier Performance & SLA Management

• Define, implement and manage launch services suppliers, KPIs and SLA performance metrics, covering schedule adherence, launch slot integrity, integration milestone performance, documentation quality and responsiveness.
• Chair structured supplier business reviews, driving corrective and preventative action where performance falls short of contracted commitments.
• Apply contractual remedies and commercial levers where SLAs are not met, and feed performance data back into future sourcing and negotiation decisions.
• Build strategic, long-term relationships with launch providers and integration partners that position Spire as a customer of choice.

Stakeholder Collaboration

• Act as the primary commercial interface between Spire and its launch services providers and integration partners.
• Partner closely with Technical Programme Management, Systems Engineering, Manufacturing, Engineering, Mission Operations, Legal, Finance and Compliance teams to align commercial arrangements with technical and programme requirements.
• Support launch campaign planning, ensuring commercial readiness in step with satellite build, integration and test schedules.
• Provide clear, senior-level reporting on launch spend, savings delivery, supplier performance and category risk.

Governance, Compliance & Continuous Improvement

• Develop and continuously improve launch services contracting policies, templates, approval workflows and playbooks, driving consistency and efficiency across the category.
• Ensure compliance with internal governance, delegated authority and external regulatory requirements, including industry standards such as ISO9001 and AS9100.
• Ensure full adherence to export control and trade compliance obligations – including ITAR, EAR, UK export licensing and applicable technology transfer controls.
• Maintain a complete and auditable contract repository for the launch category, tracking obligations, milestones, options and renewal dates.
• Identify and deliver cost reduction and value improvement opportunities, with a relentless focus on continuous improvement across the procurement function.

Requirements

• Direct experience of the launch market, or a comparable senior commercial or procurement role within a space, satellite or launch organisation.
• Strong commercial and contractual background, with a proven track record of leading high-value negotiations, and drafting and shaping complex commercial agreements.
• Demonstrable experience owning a strategic category or commodity end-to-end, including strategy development, supplier selection and long-term agreement management.
• Excellent analytical and strategic capability, with proficiency in market analysis, benchmarking, cost modelling and evaluation of commercial offers.
• Excellent negotiation, influencing and stakeholder management skills, with confidence operating at senior and executive level.
• Ability to translate complex contractual and commercial issues into practical, well-evidenced business decisions.

Essential

Significant experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, commodity management or commercial contracts management, gained in a complex, technically demanding environment.