Commercial Manager

Water Corporation; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Ventia is seeking an experienced Commercial Manager to join the Western Roads Upgrade contract in Laverton North. You’ll provide strategic and operational commercial guidance across the contract, partner with contract and operations leadership, and help protect and enhance commercial outcomes.

You’ll lead a small commercial team, manage claims, variations and negotiations, identify risks and opportunities, and build strong relationships with the client, subcontractors and internal stakeholders

Qualifications

• Experience in infrastructure, construction, or similar environments.
• Strong contract administration, claims, variations and risk management.
• Experience leading commercial negotiations and resolving complex matters.
• Understanding of complex construction or infrastructure contracts.
• Analytical, negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to collaborate with operational teams while maintaining client focus.
• Qualifications in Law, Commerce, Engineering or related discipline preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational commercial advice across the contract.
• Lead and develop a small commercial team.
• Manage claims, variations, disputes and commercial negotiations.
• Identify commercial risks and opportunities and develop strategies.
• Support contract governance and administration.
• Work with operational teams to optimise performance and minimise risks.
• Build relationships with client, subcontractors and internal stakeholders.
• Provide insights to support long-term contract performance.

Skills

Commercial leadership

Contract administration

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Risk management

Team leadership

Education

Degree in Law, Commerce, Engineering or related discipline

Job description

• Join one of the largest essential services providers across ANZ, supporting critical infrastructure and complex operational environments.
• Key commercial role supporting a high-profile long-term contract.
• Opportunity to influence commercial performance, risk and contract outcomes.
• Lead, support and develop a small commercial team, building capability, fostering collaboration and creating a strong focus on commercial performance and continuous improvement.

About the role

We have an opportunity for an experienced Commercial Manager to join our Western Roads Upgrade (WRU) contract in Laverton North.

WRU is a long-term road infrastructure contract spanning 49 roads between West Melbourne and Werribee. As the Services Contractor to Netflow, Ventia is responsible for the ongoing operation, maintenance and management of this important road network, with a focus on delivering safe, efficient and whole-of-life outcomes.

As Commercial Manager, you’ll provide strategic and operational commercial advice across the contract, partnering closely with the Contract and operational leadership teams to protect and enhance commercial outcomes.

• Providing commercial guidance and advice on contractual matters, risk and obligations.
• Managing claims, variations, disputes and commercial negotiations.
• Identifying commercial risks and opportunities and developing strategies to address them.
• Supporting contract governance, compliance and effective contract administration.
• Working with operational teams to optimise commercial performance and minimise cost and revenue risks.
• Building strong relationships with the client, subcontractors and internal stakeholders.
• Providing commercial insight to support longer-term contract performance and whole-of-life outcomes.

About you

You’ll be a commercially astute professional who enjoys working closely with operational teams and navigating complex contractual environments. You’ll bring strong commercial judgement, sound contract knowledge and the confidence to influence outcomes across a diverse stakeholder group.

• Demonstrated commercial or contract management experience within infrastructure, construction, engineering or a similar environment.
• Strong experience with contract administration, claims, variations and commercial risk.
• Experience leading commercial negotiations and resolving complex contractual matters.
• A sound understanding of complex construction or infrastructure contracts.
• Strong analytical, negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
• The ability to work collaboratively with operational teams while maintaining a strong commercial and client focus.
• Qualifications in Law, Commerce, Engineering or a relevant discipline will be highly regarded.

About VentiaAs a leading services provider, we maintain, operate, and manage the essential infrastructure that makes modern life possible across Australia and New Zealand. With more than 35,000 employees and subcontractors across 400 sites, joining Ventia means becoming part of a team that values its people, supports career growth, and helps everyone go further towards their full potential. Our commitment to Fairness, Inclusion and Respect shapes how we lead, collaborate, hire and support one another. We welcome applications from people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and people of all genders, identities, sexual orientations, beliefs and caring responsibilities. We are dedicated to providing an accessible recruitment process and encourage you to request adjustments at any stage.