Launch Services Contracts Manager

We are seeking a Launch Services Contracts Manager to own the launch services commodity end-to-end for Spire’s Global Supply Chain. This is a senior, specialist role with exclusive focus on sourcing & contracting launch services ranging from dedicated launches to rideshare capacity and including integration/aggregator services. Responsibilities include market intelligence and vendor sourcing through to commercial framework design, negotiation, contract execution and ongoing supplier performance management.

Launch is one of Spire’s most strategically significant and commercially complex categories. Access to reliable, cost-effective and schedule-assured launch capacity directly determines constellation deployment and revenue realisation. The successful candidate will act as the single commercial authority for launch services, building the frameworks, benchmarks and supplier relationships that give Spire competitive advantage in a rapidly evolving global launch market.

Reporting to the Director of Global Supply Chain, this role operates as a senior individual contributor with full ownership of the launch services category and significant autonomy, influence and spend responsibility.

Role 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.

Preferred Skills/Experience:

Essential

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

• 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.

• Experience of working alongside engineering and programme teams on technically complex products and services.

Advantageous

• Familiarity with launch services agreements, rideshare and aggregator models, and launch integration processes.

• Working knowledge of export control regimes (ITAR, EAR, UK/EU dual-use) and trade compliance in a space or defence context.

• Experience with launch insurance, liability allocation and cross-waiver arrangements.

Personal Attributes

• Self-motivated and comfortable operating with autonomy and accountability in a fast-moving, high-growth environment.

• Results-driven, with a focus on achieving and exceeding savings, schedule and performance targets.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the confidence to communicate at all levels within a culturally diverse workforce.

• Ability to multi-task, prioritise effectively and manage competing programme demands.

• Collaborative team player with strong interpersonal skills.

• Competent in MS Office, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint; experience with ERP and contract lifecycle management systems.

Spire operates a hybrid work model, and this position will require you to work a minimum of three days per week in the office.

Access to US export-controlled software and/or technology may be required for this role. If needed, Spire will arrange the necessary licenses—this is not something candidates need to have before applying. #LI-DC1