Contract Administrator

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

Benefits offered by this job

Career progression

Industry exposure

Development programs THRIVE and EmpowH

Perks@Downer

Internal mobility

Job summary

Downer Group is seeking a Contracts Administrator to join the Water team on a site-based role in Australia. Reporting to the Commercial Manager, you will administer head contracts and downstream agreements across project delivery, with exposure to commercial records, claims, variations and payments.

You will collaborate with commercial, delivery, procurement, finance and project controls teams to protect entitlement and ensure timely contractual outcomes, while developing toward a Senior

Qualifications

• 2–5 years’ experience in contract administration, quantity surveying, procurement or related roles in construction.
• Knowledge of head contracts and subcontracts, including notices, time bars, variations and claims.
• Strong attention to detail with accurate records and clear commercial correspondence.

Responsibilities

• Administer head contracts and subcontract agreements, including notices, variations, claims, extensions of time and correspondence.
• Maintain registers for commercial, change, delay, entitlement and correspondence to meet time bars.
• Support payment claims, subcontractor assessments, invoicing and monthly reporting.
• Develop evidence-based claims using schedules, cost data, site records and correspondence.
• Collaborate with delivery, procurement, finance and project controls to manage risks and data accuracy.

Skills

Contract administration

Commercial awareness

Documentation & records

Education

Quantity Surveying

Construction Management

Engineering

Law

Commerce

Contract Management

Job description

Join our Water team as a Contracts Administrator, supporting major infrastructure delivery with hands‑on contract administration, commercial exposure and a clear pathway to Senior Contracts Administrator.

The opportunity

Downer’s Energy & Utilities business is seeking a Contracts Administrator to join our Water team. Reporting to the Commercial Manager, you’ll support the accurate and timely administration of head contracts and downstream agreements across project delivery.

Working closely with commercial, delivery, procurement, finance and project controls teams, you’ll play an important role in protecting contractual entitlement, managing commercial records and supporting claims, variations, payments and subcontract administration.

This is a site-based role, offering strong exposure across the full project lifecycle and a clear development pathway toward a Senior Contracts Administrator position.

What you’ll do

• Administer head contracts and subcontract agreements, including notices, variations, claims, extensions of time and contractual correspondence.
• Maintain accurate commercial, change, delay, entitlement and correspondence registers, ensuring contractual time bars are met.
• Support payment claims, subcontractor assessments, invoicing, commitments, accruals and monthly commercial reporting.
• Develop evidence-based claims using project schedules, cost data, site records and correspondence.
• Work closely with delivery, procurement, finance and project controls teams to identify commercial risks, protect entitlement and maintain accurate project data.

What we offer

• Career progression: A clear development pathway to Senior Contracts Administrator, with opportunities to build your commercial capability and autonomy.
• Industry exposure: Work within Downer’s Energy & Utilities business supporting critical water infrastructure.
• Development: Access to leadership and development programs, including THRIVE and EmpowHER.
• Benefits: Access to Perks@Downer, offering financial, travel and wellbeing discounts.
• Internal opportunities: A dedicated internal mobility team supporting career progression, succession and redeployment opportunities across Downer.
• The opportunity to build your career within a Tier 1 ASX-listed organisation with extensive in-house delivery, engineering and technical capability.

What we’re looking for

• Around 2 to 5 years' experience in contract administration, quantity surveying, procurement or commercial roles within construction, infrastructure, utilities or a similar project environment.
• A tertiary qualification in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Engineering, Law, Commerce, Contract Management or a related discipline is preferred, although relevant practical experience will also be considered.
• Working knowledge of head contracts and subcontracts, including notices, time bars, payment regimes, variations, claims and contract closeout.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to prepare clear commercial correspondence, maintain accurate records and manage competing contractual deadlines.
• A commercially minded and collaborative approach, with sound judgement and the confidence to identify issues, seek guidance and escalation commercial or contractual risks when required.

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.