Contract Administrator

JV Recruitment Pty; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

JV Recruitment Pty is seeking a Contract Administrator in Melbourne for a full-time role. You will work with Project Managers and Operations Managers on diverse commercial, refurbishment, civil, and institutional builds, ensuring commercial rigor and timely delivery.

The role targets professionals with 2+ years local experience who communicate clearly and maintain precise documentation. This Tier 3 environment offers growth towards Project Management in a collaborative setting.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of contract administration in Australian commercial construction.
• Experience with structural builds, refurbishments, civil works, or institutional projects.
• Understanding SOPA and cost-to-complete processes.
• Proficient in Procore, HammerTech, MS Project, and advanced Excel.

Responsibilities

• Manage procurement and trade letting: prepare detailed trade recommendations (min 3 prices) to ensure scope coverage, market value, and budget alignment.
• Draft, negotiate, assemble, and execute Subcontracts and purchase orders using Procore.
• Administer head contract and subcontract notices, including Extensions of Time (EOTs) and variations.
• Assess and certify subcontractor progress claims within SOPA guidelines and cost-to-complete metrics.
• Prepare and submit monthly progress claims to clients and superintendents in coordination with the Project Manager.
• Drive monthly job costing and cost reporting; analyze budget vs actuals and forecast cost-to-complete.
• Review design docs and revisions for cost and programme implications across trades and site costs.
• Maintain Procore and HammerTech records, defect lists, meeting minutes, and safety docs.
• Coordinate with Site Managers on short-term programming and material delivery schedules.
• Build and maintain relationships with trade contractors, suppliers, consultants, and clients.

Skills

Communication

Negotiation

Analytical skills

Detail oriented

Team coordination

Education

Construction management degree

Tools

Procore

HammerTech

MS Project

Excel

Job description

Contract Administrator

Salary: $110,000 – $130,000

Location: Melbourne

Hours: Mon-Fri, 08:00 - 17:00

About the Role

Due to sustained project demand and pipeline growth, we are seeking an ambitious and driven Contract Administrator to join our project delivery team in a full-time capacity. Working alongside experienced Project Managers and Operations Managers, you will take active commercial ownership across diverse commercial, refurbishment, civil, and institutional builds (including health, education, and government sectors). This position is ideal for an energetic professional with 2+ years of local commercial experience who takes pride in clear communication, attention to detail, and commercial rigor. The role offers an exceptional platform to broaden your scope, sharpen your commercial acumen, and actively progress your career toward Project Management within a supportive, high-performing Tier 3 environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage procurement and trade letting: Prepare detailed trade recommendations (minimum 3 prices) to ensure scope coverage, market value, and budget alignment.
• Draft, negotiate, assemble, and execute formal Subcontract Agreements and purchase orders using Procore.
• Administer head contract and subcontract notices, including Extensions of Time (EOTs), latent conditions, provisional sums, and variation submissions.
• Assess and certify subcontractor progress claims strictly within SOPA guidelines, confirming works completed on site against cost-to-complete metrics.
• Prepare and submit accurate monthly progress claims to clients and superintendents in coordination with the Project Manager.
• Drive monthly job costing and cost reporting: Analyse project budget inputs vs. actuals, forecast cost-to-complete, and report emerging risks and opportunities.
• Review design documentation and revisions against contract sets to determine cost and programme implications across trades, logistics, and site costs.
• Maintain software and site management records across Procore and HammerTech, tracking defect lists, meeting minutes, and safety documentation.
• Coordinate closely with Site Managers on short-term programming, site-based material delivery schedules, and trade coordination.
• Actively build and maintain transparent, long-term relationships with trade contractors, suppliers, consultants, and clients.

Required Experience & Skills

• Minimum 2+ years of contract administration experience within the Australian commercial construction sector (Tier 3 background strongly preferred).
• Demonstrated experience across structural builds, commercial refurbishments, civil works, or institutional projects (health, universities, government).
• In-depth understanding of construction contracts, procurement schedules, and Security of Payment Act (SOPA) requirements.
• Proficiency in industry management software, specifically Procore, HammerTech, MS Project, and advanced Microsoft Excel.
• Strong commercial acumen, analytical mindset, and proven negotiation capabilities with subcontractors and suppliers.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with a transparent, collaborative, and professional working approach.
• Relevant tertiary qualifications in Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Building, or equivalent industry background.