As a Commercial Contract Manager at TNO in Delft, contribute to the high-tech manufacturing industry of the future.
Flexible displays in your smartphone, satellites using laser light for ultra-fast communication, and photonic chips that significantly reduce energy consumption. These are just a few examples of the technologies developed within TNO's High Tech Industry Unit. Together with the high-tech sector and supported by public funding, we develop groundbreaking innovations that you will encounter tomorrow in your car, home, or smartphone. Thanks to your coordination, public-private collaborations run smoothly and TNO successfully secures funding opportunities. In doing so, you work alongside our scientists to ensure that the Netherlands remains at the forefront of technological innovation.
Will you strengthen the TNO High Tech Industry team and ensure that contractual matters during the execution of complex projects are effectively managed and negotiated?
The Commercial Contract Manager is part of the Operations department of TNO High Tech Industry. You are responsible for contract management during both project preparation and execution, with particular focus on commercial risks, contractual agreements, and their practical implementation. In this role, you support business developers and project teams in drafting proposals, negotiating contracts, and executing projects characterized by a high degree of complexity and/or significant risk.
You will work with major national and international clients, particularly in the Space sector. In addition to the commercial industry leaders that TNO collaborates with, the European Space Agency (ESA) will also be an important account. This requires strong negotiation skills. You will also serve as a sounding board and advisor to project managers and TNO HTI management. Maintaining a balance between commercial objectives, project and technical considerations, and risk management is essential.
For this specific vacancy, we are looking for someone with extensive experience in reviewing and monitoring agreements and supporting projects in an R&D environment. You thoroughly understand contractual terms, identify commercial and operational risks, and translate these into concrete points of attention for the project team. You work closely with TNO's Legal Counsels, who are responsible for providing specialized legal advice and drafting or reviewing agreements from a legal perspective.
Your role focuses on commercial and operational contract management: you provide input during the creation of agreements, translate contractual obligations into day-to-day project practices, monitor commercial risks, and intervene promptly and effectively when project execution threatens to deviate from the agreed framework. In doing so, you continuously keep the project team alert to the contractual boundaries of the project. Questions you may address include: Are we delivering more than agreed? Are we delivering something different? Is there a force majeure situation? Are intellectual property arrangements being properly respected? Is a contract amendment required?
A legal qualification is not an absolute requirement; however, given the nature of the work within TNO, an affinity with contract law, intellectual property law, and/or state aid and subsidy regulations is considered an advantage. Experience with project structures, project-based working methods, and technical knowledge are also advantageous. The role requires a curious and eager-to-learn professional who can operate effectively and efficiently across a wide variety of projects. Excellent command of the English language is essential, as contracts are often drafted in English and many negotiations are conducted in English as well.
To be successful in this role, we ask for:
- A Master's degree level (WO) working and thinking capability.
- Demonstrable experience in commercial contract management and international contracting.
- Technical affinity is an advantage.
- Affinity with intellectual property law and/or state aid and subsidy regulations is an advantage.
Experience with:
- Thoroughly analyzing contracts, including understanding the consequences of non-compliance with contractual provisions.
- Leading and/or participating in negotiations when a contract (amendment) is required and ensuring proper contractual closure.
- Ensuring consistency between customer contracts and subcontractor agreements.
- Continuously keeping project teams aware of the contractual boundaries of projects and intervening promptly and appropriately when deviations occur or are likely to occur.
- Advising management on commercial risks arising from contractual provisions, particularly in conflict situations.
- Effectively coordinating with Legal Counsels.
Relevant competencies:
- Collaboration: Able to involve the right people, learn from others, and provide new insights within a team committed to improving performance. Excellent collaboration with TNO's corporate legal team is essential.
- Customer Focus: Understands customer challenges and inspires others to optimize services, always thinking in terms of solutions.
- Result Orientation: Establishes clear agreements, sets objectives, and delivers on them.
- Negotiation Skills: Capable of carefully balancing interests, risks, and opportunities in complex commercial processes and, in close cooperation with project teams and Legal, reaching practical and workable agreements.
- Impact: Able to motivate and influence others and serve as a role model.
- Organizational Awareness: Achieves progress while taking into account differing interests between departments and TNO's position within the public domain.
- Resilience: Remains calm under pressure from internal and external stakeholders, sets the right priorities, and communicates them effectively.
- Flexibility: Able to adjust priorities and maintain visibility and accessibility for the business in various ways, including travel to different locations.
- Fast Learner: Able to quickly absorb and apply new knowledge.
Challenging and varied work with a real impact. And plenty of opportunities as, at TNO, you are in charge of shaping your career. We offer a gross monthly salary between € 4,831 and € 5,521 (based on your knowledge and experience), 8% holiday pay, a 13th month bonus of 8.33% and a flex budget (5.58% + € 180). In addition, you will be given every opportunity to develop yourself.
TNO offers optional employee benefits, enabling you to tailor your benefits package to match your personal situation. You may also expect:
- An extremely professional, innovative working environment where colleagues are leading experts in their field.
- The opportunity to attend courses, workshops and conferences, and to receive training and coaching based on your needs.
- 33 days annual leave plus a flexible holiday that can be used on a cultural, religious, or otherwise important day of your choosing (on a full-time basis).
- An employer working towards a respectful, inclusive, and equitable work environment where every employee can flourish, with various initiatives such as Jong TNO, numerous expertise based guilds, Rainbow Community and Round Tables on diverse inclusion topics.
- We offer a comprehensive and flexible mobility plan that also includes full compensation for public transportation for commuting and business travel.
- Great social events with your team and other TNO colleagues. That’s how you will get to know a lot of people really quickly.
- Flexible working hours, the possibility to work parttime (32 or 36 hours) and the possibility of working from home.
- Extensive relocation package for international candidates.
- A good pension scheme.
Read more about tailoring your benefits package.
Our people are at the heart of TNO. Their curiosity, expertise and entrepreneurial mindset make it possible to deliver high-impact research and innovations that contribute to society’s sustainable wellbeing and prosperity. That is why we invest in an inspiring and inclusive working environment where colleagues can excel, have autonomy and continue to grow.
Your talent and ambition have every opportunity to flourish at TNO. You work with experts (both within and beyond TNO), have access to advanced technology and the freedom to explore, experiment and innovate. Our strength lies in independence, reliability and collaboration. We find each other in wonder and ingenuity. We are driven to push boundaries. By working with businesses and government, and by connecting different perspectives, we strengthen our innovative capability and create responsible, meaningful results.
At TNO, we believe this is our time to help society, government and business move forward faster. Together with driven colleagues, you turn knowledge into concrete innovations or ventures that truly make a difference by combining the power of science and entrepreneurship. And in doing so, you make your mark on our time.
Please apply before the 20th of September, 2026. The selection process comprises two interview rounds. The preliminary interview takes place in weeks 40 and 41. The second interview round has been scheduled for weeks 42 and 43. In a final meeting we will discuss the terms of employment and your tailored benefits package. We aim to finalize the entire process within four weeks.
The selection process may include an online assessment and a reference check.
A certificate of Conduct (VOG) is required before starting a new job at TNO.
As you might be working for clients in the domain of defence and security, a Certificate of No Objection issued by AIVD (the Dutch General Intelligence and Security Service) is mandatory. This means you will have to undergo a security screening. Read more about security screening.
