Contract Administrator: Own Project Margins & Risk

Forefront Recruitment Pty; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 126,000 - 154,000; Full time

Job summary

Forefront Recruitment Pty is seeking a Contract Administrator for a Melbourne-based project. You will read and interpret contracts, understand the commercial implications and manage procurement and variations to protect margin.

This role offers direct access to decision-makers on a recently tendered $5m project and a chance to influence the full commercial cycle. You will negotiate contracts, manage subcontracts and lettings, monitor notices and EOTs, and ensure records support entitlement.

Qualifications

• Experience reading and interpreting contracts
• Strong commercial acumen and risk awareness
• Attention to detail with ability to track multiple documents
• Excellent negotiation and procurement management skills

Responsibilities

• Negotiate contracts and subcontracts and manage procurement and letting
• Prepare well-supported variations and claims
• Monitor notices, RFIs, NODs and EOTs and assess impact on contracts
• Identify opportunities to improve project margin and mitigate losses

Job description

If you are the type of Contract Administrator who actually reads the contract, understands the detail and knows where a project can either make or lose money, this should be worth a conversation.

This established commercial builder delivers technically challenging refurbishment and new-build projects across Melbourne. It is a well-run business with approachable leadership, modern systems and a genuinely positive culture

The team works from recently refurbished inner-Melbourne offices that have been carefully designed around how people actually work. There are quality collaborative spaces, areas to switch off and a relaxed atmosphere that reflects the personality of the business.

They are now looking for a strong Contract Administrator who can take genuine commercial ownership. You will work alongside one of the directors on a recently tendered $5m project, giving you direct access to an experienced decision-maker and exposure to the complete commercial process.

This is not a role where you will simply process subcontractor claims and update a cost report. You will be expected to understand the contract, identify risk, preserve entitlement and recognise opportunities to improve the project margin.

You will negotiate contracts and subcontracts, manage procurement and letting, prepare well-supported variations and claims, and stay across VQs, RFIs, NODs and EOTs. Just as importantly, you will understand how scope changes affect the contract, programme and budget, ensuring the correct notices and supporting records are in place

The right person will be highly detailed without losing sight of the bigger commercial picture. You will know how to mitigate potential losses, prevent commercial leakage and identify genuine gains through variations, procurement and subcontract negotiations.

You will join a grounded and collaborative team with low staff turnover. The directors and senior management are accessible, decisions are made clearly, and capable people are trusted to take ownership of their work. The business uses modern construction and commercial systems, with an emphasis on doing things properly without creating unnecessary layers of process.

You are likely to have worked as a Contract Administrator for a commercial builder and developed a strong understanding of construction contracts and project financials. Experience across refurbishment or technically demanding commercial projects would be valuable, although sound commercial judgement, attention to detail and strong contract knowledge are the priorities.

The salary is up to $140k plus super, depending on experience.

Apply here or contact Robert Wills confidentially on 0468 032 453 or [e-mail]. No polished resume is needed if you would prefer to have an initial conversation first.

Forefront Recruitment is a specialist recruiter for the construction industry across the eastern seaboard.