Construction Contracts Manager

OnTalent; Brisbane; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 270,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee share scheme

Short-term incentive (STI)

Share scheme eligibility

Job summary

OnTalent is seeking a Senior Commercial & Contracts Manager in Brisbane to lead contractual risk, claims strategy and commercial outcomes across a national portfolio of underground infrastructure projects. This contract‑led role requires strong construction-law depth and contractor‑side judgement.

You will own contract review, negotiation, entitlement management, and dispute resolution across the full project lifecycle while guiding a national commercial capability uplift.

Qualifications

• Experience in leading contractual risk, claims strategy and dispute resolution.
• Strong ability to translate complex legal issues into commercial recommendations.
• Proven capability to manage contracts across tenders, head and subcontracts.

Responsibilities

• Lead commercial and contractual review of tenders, head contracts, subcontracts and supply agreements.
• Prepare and negotiate departures, qualifications and contract amendments.
• Advise on contractual risk, entitlement, mitigation and negotiation strategy.
• Establish disciplined contract administration including notices, time bars and obligation tracking.
• Lead variation, EOT, delay, disruption, prolongation and latent‑condition claims.
• Guide Security of Payment strategy, payment schedules and adjudication processes.
• Manage downstream claims, defaults, set‑off and termination rights.
• Lead dispute avoidance, settlement negotiations and formal dispute‑resolution processes.
• Manage external legal advisers and technical experts.
• Build commercial capability across project teams nationally.

Skills

Contract interpretation

Negotiation

Claims management

Commercial awareness

Leadership

Education

Law degree and admission

Postgraduate construction law

Job description

Brisbane, QLD | National Project Portfolio | $ - Highly attractive package on offer with access to employee share scheme after 6 months

A national civil and utilities contractor is seeking a senior Commercial & Contracts Manager to lead contractual risk, claims strategy and commercial outcomes across a diverse portfolio of technically complex underground infrastructure projects.

This is a contract‑led commercial role suited to candidates with strong construction‑law depth and contractor‑side judgement. You will own contract review, negotiation, entitlement management, claims and dispute resolution across the full project lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead commercial and contractual review of tenders, head contracts, subcontracts and supply agreements
• Prepare and negotiate departures, qualifications and contract amendments
• Advise on contractual risk, entitlement, mitigation and negotiation strategy
• Establish disciplined contract administration including notices, time bars and obligation tracking
• Lead variation, EOT, delay, disruption, prolongation and latent‑condition claims
• Guide Security of Payment strategy, payment schedules and adjudication processes
• Manage downstream claims, defaults, set‑off and termination rights
• Lead dispute avoidance, settlement negotiations and formal dispute‑resolution processes
• Manage external legal advisers and technical experts
• Build commercial capability across project teams nationally

About You

• Significant Australian construction or infrastructure contracting experience
• Strong construction‑contract interpretation, drafting and negotiation capability
• Practical experience preparing and resolving complex claims
• Knowledge of Australian standard‑form, D&C and materially amended client contracts
• Security of Payment and adjudication experience
• Ability to translate complex legal issues into clear commercial recommendations
• Credibility with project teams, senior leaders and clients
• Willingness to work from Brisbane Southside and travel nationally

Preferred Experience

• Law degree and admission to practice in an Australian jurisdiction, or an equivalent recognised legal qualification
• Postgraduate qualifications in construction law or contract management
• Experience in civil infrastructure, utilities, tunnelling, trenchless construction, geotechnical works, or other ground‑risk‑intensive environments
• Experience working with subcontract, supply, consultancy, joint‑venture or consortium arrangements

What You'll Bring

You're direct, pragmatic and decisive. You challenge unsuitable contract positions, preserve entitlement through disciplined records, and provide clear, concise commercial advice. You operate nationally while remaining visible and accessible to project teams.

The Opportunity

• Senior leadership role with national influence
• Exposure to technically complex civil and utilities projects
• Competitive salary package + STI + share scheme eligibility
• Opportunity to shape commercial strategy and uplift capability across the business