Commercial Defect Manager

RATP DEV Australia; Tullamore; On-site; AUD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

RATP Dev Western Sydney Airport is seeking a Commercial Defects Manager to oversee contract administration, commercial claims, and risk management arising from technical defects across the Parklife Metro project. You will bridge engineering and contract law, translating defect data into robust notices and cost-recovery strategies.

You will work closely with Technical and Legal teams to safeguard RDWSA's commercial interests under project deeds and O&M agreements, ensuring timely notices and

Qualifications

• Experience in commercial claims management and contract administration.
• Ability to translate defect data into contract notices.
• Strong cost capture, recovery and cost management skills.
• Knowledge of warranty handover processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead the commercial claims process end-to-end within project timelines.
• Draft formal Contract Notices and defect notifications with Legal Counsel.
• Audit work orders in Maximo to ensure direct costs are tracked.
• Coordinate warranty transfers and provide surge support to the commercial team.

Skills

Contract administration

Commercial drafting

Cost recovery

Risk management

Maximo familiarity

Tools

Maximo

Job description

About Us:

RATP Dev Western Sydney Airport (RDWSA) is a subsidiary of the RATP Group, a global leader in high‑capacity urban rail and the world's third largest public transport operator.

Our 25,000 people design, operate, maintain and modernise urban and interurban transportation networks. We serve more than 100 cities in 17 countries, delivering tailored mobility solutions that address each community's unique environmental, social, and economic challenges.

We build, deliver and commit for the best of public transport every day, everywhere, for everybody, making it the natural choice for cities and passengers.

As an Operator & Maintainer to the Australian Federal and NSW Governments, Parklife Metro is leading a transformative metro project connecting St Marys to Bradfield and the new Western Sydney Airport.

The Parklife Metro (PLM) consortium, comprising Plenary, RATP Dev, Siemens and Webuild, is delivering the Stations, Systems, Trains and Operations & Maintenance (SSTOM) package for the Sydney Metro - Western Sydney Airport project.

RDWSA will proudly operate and maintain six new stations, 12 metro trains, core rail systems, and a state‑of‑the‑art stabling and maintenance facility at Orchard Hills for 15 years following commencement of operations.

About the Role:

Reporting primarily to the Defect Manager with a secondary reporting line to the Commercial Director, the Commercial Defects Manager plays a key role in contract administration, commercial claims management, and risk mitigation arising from technical defects across the project.

In this role, you will bridge the gap between engineering and contract law. Working in tight lockstep with our technical teams, you will safeguard RDWSA's commercial interests under our project deeds and O&M agreements, translating technical defect data into robust, contractually compliant notices and successful cost‑recovery strategies.

Key Responsibilities may include:

• Claims & Contract Administration: Lead the commercial claims process end-to-end, evaluating technical defects against project agreements to establish clear contractual positions and issuing notices within strict timelines.
• Commercial Drafting: Own the drafting of formal Contract Notices and defect notifications, partnering with Legal Counsel to manage risk and protect business rights.
• Cost Capture & Recovery: Audit work orders in Maximo to ensure all direct costs (labour, subcontractors, spares) are accurately tracked, and coordinate reimbursement claims to drive maximum cost recovery.
• Warranty Handover & Support: Secure the transfer of subcontractor and manufacturer warranties to protect permanent operations, and provide strategic surge support to the wider commercial team.