Commercial Manager

Lismore City Council; City of Brisbane; Hybrid; AUD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Queensland is seeking a top-tier Commercial Manager to oversee a billion-dollar flood restoration portfolio. The successful candidate will manage contracts, lead a commercial team, and drive strategic decisions to ensure project delivery. Applicants should have a relevant degree and proven experience in senior commercial roles. This position offers an opportunity to shape the future of the community while providing a flexible working environment.

Benefits

Flexible work options

Working on significant community projects

Diverse and inclusive workplace

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a senior commercial role in construction or project-based industries.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-growing group.
• Demonstrated ability to create and embed commercial business partnering functions.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor the commercial team.
• Manage all commercial and contractual aspects of the billion-dollar Portfolio.
• Develop and execute commercial strategies to support business objectives.

Skills

Integrity

Attention to detail

Cultural sensitivity

Financial analysis

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Advanced negotiation

Strategic decision-making

Education

Degree/Certifications in Law, Engineering, Construction Management, Business or similar

Tools

Advanced Excel

ERP systems

Job description

Shape your future. Serve your community. Belong to something bigger.

Want to be part of a significant project that will bring about positive change for an entire community? Lismore City Council’s ‘Flood Restoration Portfolio’ (FRP) can make that possible. The bold initiative represents the single largest public infrastructure restoration project ever undertaken by local government in NSW.

Created in response to the devastating 2022 natural disaster, the FRP’s remit encompasses the restoration of the city’s public assets – roads, bridges, theatres, galleries, and sporting facilities, alongside the repair and enhancement of essential wastewater, waste management, and flood resilience infrastructure.

The FRP is assembling a local and global talent team to deliver a stronger, more resilient Lismore. We welcome individuals who bring fresh perspectives that will help enable our vision for a vibrant community.

Lismore’s Northern Rivers location fosters an ideal work-life balance. It offers lush farmland, beautiful parks, a World Heritage-listed rainforest to explore, great restaurants, a diverse arts and cultural scene, and more—all just a stone’s throw from the Gold Coast, Ballina, and Byron Bay. Today, Lismore is flourishing, and it’s the perfect time to embrace and celebrate everything that makes the regional city so unique, while also being directly involved in shaping its future.

Are you ready to be part of something extraordinary?

We’re seeking a top-tier Commercial Manager to lead all things commercial within the FRP, including contracts, procurement, claims management, and commercial analysis.

The Commercial Manager is primarily responsible for the efficient and effective management of all commercial and contractual matters on the assigned project, and will be critical to the role of developing and implementing appropriate commercial strategies in liaison with the Project Director to ensure successful project delivery.

This role is responsible for leading and managing the commercial advisory during the foremost project transactions, proactively mitigating commercial risks during the delivery phase through dispute-avoidance and resolution strategies, providing commercial recommendations and briefings to senior executives on key commercial issues, and driving them to timely closure.

The role requires strategic thinking in designing commercial models that leverage financial drivers, optimise profit, and deliver value for money to LCC and the community.

What we can offer you

• Multiple projects ready to go, valued at $1bil+ in funding.
• Lead a high-impact commercial team
• Partner with senior leaders to drive strategic decisions

Responsibilities include:

• Lead and mentor the commercial team.
• Manage all commercial and contractual aspects of the billion-dollar Portfolio and drive strategic commercial outcomes by ensuring performance remains within the approved funding/funding envelop.
• Oversee contract administration, variations, claims, and procurement processes.
• Support project delivery teams with commercial strategy, cost control, and risk management.
• Liaise with internal stakeholders, clients, and subcontractors to ensure compliance with contractual obligations.
• Contribute to project reporting, forecasting, and financial performance reviews.
• Develop and execute commercial strategies to support business objectives.
• Manage contracts, negotiations, internal and supplier relationships.
• Oversee budgets, forecasts, and commercial reporting.
• Ensuring compliance with legal and contractual requirements.

What you’ll need to be successful

• Qualifications – Degree/Certifications in Law, Engineering, Construction Management, Business or similar with proven experience in a senior commercial role in construction, or project-based industries.
• Attributes – Integrity, attention to detail, cultural sensitivity, and the agility to juggle multiple priorities in a fast‑growing Group.
• Skills – Deep knowledge of contract law, strong commercial acumen, advanced negotiation & dispute resolution, and advanced excel skills/ERP competence.
• Strong background in financial analysis, business partnering, and strategic decision-making.
• Demonstrated ability to create and embed commercial business partnering functions.
• Exceptional leadership, stakeholder management, and communication skills.

Please review the position description and use your resume and application responses in the application form below to demonstrate your ability to fulfill the position's responsibilities.

Additional details

• Term Contract: contracted hours of work 35 hours a week/70 hours a fortnight up to 30 June 2027.
• Closing date: Applications will be accepted until a suitable candidate pool is established.
• Location: The position will be primarily at our Flood Portfolio Office in Lismore. Flexible work options are available, working within operational requirements.
• Contact: If you would like to learn more about this opportunity, please don't hesitate to contact Jennifer McEwen, HR Business Partner, at 0428 522 ***.
• Conditions of Employment: Conditions of employment are in the Local Government (State) Award and relevant Council policy, procedures, and agreements.
• Pre‑employment Screening: Before employment, there may be a series of pre‑employment checks that may include health assessments, validation of the right to work in Australia, validation of qualifications and licences, criminal history checks, psychometric assessments, and referee checks.
• Future Opportunities: This recruitment exercise may be utilised for vacancies and the possible establishment of a merit list for future opportunities within six months.

Lismore City Council is a proud employer of a diverse workforce, welcoming applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including those with disabilities. We are committed to fostering a diverse, flexible, and inclusive workplace that reflects the community we serve. We also welcome discussions about how our roles can be undertaken flexibly.

Adjustments can be made throughout the application and selection process to support disabled applicants. If you would like to discuss adjustments, don't hesitate to get in touch with the People and Culture team on 02 6625 0*** or email ******@lismore.nsw.gov.au.