Contract Administrator

Downer; Adelaide; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

FIFO roster: 20 days on, 8 days off

Health and wellness benefits and EAP

Retail discounts

ASX listed employer

Job summary

Downer's Energy & Utilities division in Adelaide seeks an experienced Contract Administrator to manage commercial and contractual aspects of major power infrastructure projects from planning to close-out.

The role covers contract administration, subcontractor management, risk management, claims, variations, reporting, procurement support, and stakeholder engagement to protect commercial interests and drive project outcomes.

Qualifications

• Degree qualifications in Business, Quantity Surveying, Law, Engineering or related discipline; equivalent industry experience.
• 7+ years' experience in a Contract Administrator role within construction/utilities/energy or major projects.
• Strong knowledge of Australian contracts and contract administration principles.
• Experience preparing, administering and negotiating contracts.

Responsibilities

• Managing day to day administration of head contracts and downstream agreements
• Drafting, reviewing and negotiating subcontract terms and conditions
• Managing contractual correspondence, claims, variations and commercial matters
• Supporting project teams with commercial strategies and risk management initiatives
• Developing and maintaining project registers (risk, delay, variation)
• Coordinating payment claims, invoicing and collections under contract
• Monitoring contractual compliance across subcontractors and suppliers
• Supporting procurement and project controls activities
• Preparing accurate commercial reports and project reviews
• Building and maintaining client, supplier and stakeholder relationships
• Contributing to project close out and lessons learned activities

Skills

Contract administration

Risk management

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Financial management

Education

Bachelor-level degree in Business/Engineering/Law or related

Job description

An exciting opportunity has presented itself for a Contract Administrator to join Downers Energy & Utilities business-based Adalaide, SA.

The opportunity

The Contract Administrator role will play a key role in the commercial and contractual management of major power infrastructure projects, supporting successful project delivery from planning through to close out.

In this role, you will provide commercial leadership across project delivery activities, including contract administration, subcontractor management, risk management, claims, variations, reporting, procurement support, and stakeholder engagement. You will work closely with project teams to ensure contractual compliance, protect Downer's commercial interests, and drive positive project outcomes.

What you'll do

• Managing day to day administration of head contracts and downstream agreements
• Drafting, reviewing and negotiating subcontract terms and conditions
• Managing contractual correspondence, claims, variations and commercial matters
• Supporting project teams with commercial strategies and risk management initiatives
• Developing and maintaining project registers, including risk, delay and variation registers
• Coordinating payment claims, invoicing and collections under contract
• Monitoring contractual compliance across subcontractors and suppliers
• Supporting procurement and project controls activities
• Preparing accurate commercial reports and project reviews
• Building and maintaining strong client, supplier and stakeholder relationships
• Contributing to project close out and lessons learned activities

What we offer

• Competitive remuneration with a significant ASX-listed company
• Structured career paths with the opportunity to work in different areas of the Utilities business, supported by a robust Commercial Operating Model
• Opportunity to work on nationally significant energy infrastructure projects
• 20 days on, 8 days off FIFO roster
• A suite of health and wellness benefits and initiatives, including EAP Beyond Blue
• Retail discounts with major retailers, Dell, Good Guys, Samsung, Specsavers & ANZ
• We are a Tier 1 ASX listed company with in-house capabilities that far exceed traditional contractor environments

What we're looking for

• Degree qualifications in Business, Quantity Surveying, Law, Engineering or a related discipline, or equivalent industry experience
• More than 7 years' experience in a Contract Administrator position within construction, utilities, energy or major projects
• Strong knowledge of Australian construction contracts and contract administration principles
• Demonstrated experience preparing, administering and negotiating contracts
• Strong understanding of commercial, legal, risk and project management principlesExcellent negotiation, communication and stakeholder management skills
• Experience managing contractual claims, variations and dispute resolution processes
• Strong analytical, planning and financial management capabilities
• High attention to detail and the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment
• A collaborative, proactive and results focused approach

About Energy & Utilities

Downer's Energy & Utilities business unit is an integrated trans-Tasman team, providing services and solutions that connect communities to essential networks and infrastructure. We design, build, operate and maintain today's critical assets and networks, delivering complete services across the water, electricity, telecommunications, industrial and power generation sectors. Our expertise spans in-house technical smarts, specialist engineering, integrated OEM partners, and dedicated crews of qualified tradespeople.

Downer Group is an employer that acknowledges and embraces the importance of our people's diverse experiences, talents, and cultures. As an inclusive employer, we welcome applications from everyone.