Commercial Manager (Pre Contract)

AusNet Services Ltd; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

AusNet Services Ltd is seeking a Commercial Manager (Pre-Contract) to join the Deal Execution team. You will lead negotiations, pricing and execution of complex infrastructure contracts across transmission, renewable energy and data centre connections.

The role requires strong collaboration with Finance, Legal, Procurement and Technical teams to deliver optimal commercial outcomes. You will build business cases, influence governance, and drive back-to-back contracting while maintaining a focus

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in complex commercial negotiations in infrastructure, energy or major projects including construction.
• Strong contract negotiation skills balancing risk, commercial outcomes and stakeholder interests.
• Understanding of corporate finance, infrastructure asset pricing, commercial risk and risk/reward decisions.
• Experience developing business cases, investment proposals or supporting governance and approvals.
• Ability to build relationships and influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Strong commercial acumen with pricing, risk allocation and decision-making insight.
• Collaborative approach across commercial, finance, legal and delivery teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; ability to simplify complexity and drive outcomes.
• Highly organized with multiple priorities; adaptable to fast-paced environments.
• Continuous improvement mindset and ownership.

Responsibilities

• Negotiate customer, contractor and supplier agreements to deliver strong commercial outcomes while balancing risk and return.
• Lead commercial risk assessment, pricing strategies and contract negotiations across major infrastructure opportunities with customers, contractors and suppliers.
• Lead commercial and pricing evaluations, supporting investment decisions, supplier negotiations and partnership opportunities.
• Ensure customer, contractor and supplier contracts are aligned through effective back-to-back contracting arrangements.
• Prepare and present business cases, approval papers and investment submissions for executive and board review.
• Build trusted relationships across Finance, Legal, Procurement, Treasury, Business Development and Technical teams to drive successful outcomes.
• Support the delivery of infrastructure projects by establishing appropriate commercial protections and risk frameworks.
• Maintain and enhance commercial frameworks, processes and tools for informed investment and contracting decisions.
• Provide commercial, contracting and pricing expertise to internal and external stakeholders.
• Champion a culture of safety, customer focus, collaboration and continuous improvement.

Skills

Commercial negotiations

Contract negotiations

Pricing strategies

Stakeholder influence

Communication

Education

Commerce/Law/Engineering degree

MBA or finance qualification

Job description

We back your potential. This role gives you the chance to stretch your skills, learn from experts and make your impact in a business that values your contribution and is committed to your development.

Go beyond keeping the lights on. Solve energy challenges that matter most.

We have an opportunity for a Commercial Manager (Pre Contract) to join our Deal Execution team. This is a commercially focused role where you will lead the negotiation, pricing, and execution of complex infrastructure agreements. Working across the opportunity portfolio that includes transmission network augmentations, renewable energy and data centre connections, you'll bring together customer, commercial, technical and financial requirements to structure and negotiate contracts that deliver strong commercial outcomes while balancing risk and return.

What you’ll be doing:

Negotiate customer, contractor and supplier agreements to deliver strong commercial outcomes while balancing risk and return.

Lead commercial risk assessment, pricing strategies and contract negotiations across major infrastructure opportunities with customers, contractors and suppliers.

Lead commercial and pricing evaluations, supporting investment decisions, supplier negotiations and partnership opportunities.

Ensure customer, contractor and supplier contracts are aligned through effective back-to-back contracting arrangements.

Prepare and present business cases, approval papers and investment submissions for executive and board review.

Build trusted relationships across Finance, Legal, Procurement, Treasury, Business Development and Technical teams to drive successful outcomes.

Support the successful delivery of infrastructure projects by establishing appropriate commercial protections and risk frameworks.

Maintain and enhance commercial frameworks, processes and tools that support informed investment and contracting decisions.

Provide commercial, contracting and pricing expertise to internal and external stakeholders.

Champion a culture of safety, customer focus, collaboration and continuous improvement.

You don’t need to check every box; however we’re looking for a good combination of:

7+ years’ experience in complex commercial negotiations, ideally within infrastructure, energy or major projects including construction.

Strong contract negotiation skills with the ability to balance risk, commercial outcomes and stakeholder interests.

Strong understanding of corporate finance principles, infrastructure asset pricing, commercial risk and risk/reward decision making.

Experience developing business cases, investment proposals or supporting governance and approval processes.

The ability to build trusted relationships and influence stakeholders at all levels, including customers, suppliers and senior leaders.

Strong commercial acumen with an understanding of pricing, risk allocation and commercial decision-making.

A collaborative approach, with experience working across commercial, finance, legal, technical and delivery teams.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to simplify complexity and drive outcomes.

Highly organised with the ability to manage multiple priorities and opportunities simultaneously.

Resilient, adaptable and comfortable operating in a fast-paced environment.

A continuous improvement mindset, coupled with a strong sense of accountability and ownership.

Qualifications

A degree in Commerce, Law, Engineering or a related discipline.

MBA or other postgraduate qualifications in Finance will be highly regarded.

The AusNet experience is all about…

Growing your impact:

We’ll support you to build your career through real opportunities and strong connections.

Solving some of the most complex energy challenges of our time:

We love unpacking complex challenges in clever ways and looking at things differently.

Being part of a team that cares deeply about each other:

We share in the good times and support in the tough times.

We’re committed to building an inclusive culture and a diverse workforce. We believe different perspectives are essential to our success, and we encourage all applicants to apply. If you need any adjustments during the recruitment process, we’re happy to discuss how we can support you.