Contracting Officer

Australian Submarine Agency; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The Australian Submarine Agency is seeking an APS 6 Contracting Officer to provide specialist procurement and contracting advice to deliver complex, nationally significant outcomes. You will manage procurement planning, tendering, contract formation and contract management with a focus on commercial risk and policy compliance.

You will engage diverse stakeholders and may lead priorities, coach team members and contribute to capability development within the ASA.

Qualifications

• Experience with complex procurements, including planning commercial arrangements and developing strategies.
• Experience providing commercial support to contract management activities.
• Ability to interpret legislation and procurement policies to deliver outcomes.
• Strong analytical, written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead procurement planning, tendering and contract formation activities.
• Provide commercial advice on risks and contract matters to ensure compliant outcomes.
• Engage with stakeholders across the Agency and external suppliers.
• Oversee contract management and performance, including change proposals and negotiations.
• Support capability development within the Commercial Branch and across ASA.

Skills

Procurement management

Contracting

Stakeholder engagement

Negotiation skills

Regulatory compliance

Job description

The acquisition of conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines is an historic and transformative endeavour for Australia. The whole-of-nation effort to safely and securely deliver the cutting edge nuclear-powered submarine program will transform Australia’s economic and national security landscape for decades to come.

The acquisition of conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines is an historic and transformative endeavour for Australia. This whole-of-nation program will strengthen Australia's national security and deliver lasting economic and industrial benefits for generations to come.

As an APS 6 Contracting Officer, you will provide specialist procurement and contracting advice to support the delivery of complex and strategically significant outcomes across the Australian Submarine Agency (ASA). Working under broad direction, you will take responsibility for managing complex procurement and contract management activities, while ensuring compliance with relevant legislation, policies and Commonwealth procurement frameworks.

You will contribute to procurement planning, tendering, contract formation and contract management activities, provide advice on commercial risks and contractual matters, and develop solutions to complex procurement challenges. The role requires initiative, sound judgement and the ability to interpret policy and apply procurement principles to achieve business outcomes.

You will engage with a diverse range of stakeholders, including subject matter experts, legal and financial advisers, and business areas across ASA. You may also lead work priorities, coach team members and contribute to building capability within the work unit. This is an opportunity to apply your procurement and commercial expertise to support one of Australia's most significant national capability programs

About our Team

The Commercial Branch delivers end-to-end procurement, contracting and commercial support across the Australian Submarine Agency, enabling the successful delivery of Australia's nuclear-powered submarine program.

The team provides expert advice and support across procurement planning, market approaches, contract establishment, contract management, commercial risk management and procurement governance. Working in a complex and evolving environment, we partner with stakeholders across the Agency to deliver compliant, value-for-money and strategically aligned procurement outcomes.

As an APS 6 Contracting Officer, you will join a professional and collaborative team that values innovation, integrity and continuous improvement. You will have opportunities to support complex commercial work, contribute to capability development and influence commercial outcomes that directly support the delivery of a nationally significant program.

Our Ideal Candidate

We are a dynamic organization seeking employees who are agile, innovative and energised by high-paced work. We are seeking highly motivated and collaborative minded people who will have the opportunity to contribute to a once in a lifetime program.

Our ideal candidates will bring the following attributes and skills to the role:

We are seeking highly capable procurement and contracting professionals who can confidently manage complex work, build strong stakeholder relationships and deliver quality outcomes in a dynamic environment.

Our ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• Experience with complex procurements, including planning complex commercial arrangements and developing commercial strategies, drafting approaches to market, participating in commercial evaluations and negotiations with suppliers, up to contract execution.
• Experience in providing commercial support and advice to contract management activities, including reviewing contract change proposals, review of commercial deliverables, advising on performance outcomes under contracts and remediating or addressing underperformance.
• Demonstrated experience delivering practical commercial advice taking into account relevant legislation, procurement policies and best practice.
• Strong analytical skills, attention to detail and sound judgement;
• Excellent written, interpersonal and verbal communication skills;
• The ability to think strategically in a sensitive and fast-paced environment;
• An outcome-focused mindset, with an ability to apply innovative and flexible approaches to achieving results;
• An ability to build and sustain effective relationships, and work collaboratively and independently as required with a wide array of internal and external stakeholders;
• Drive to support commercial professionalisation initiatives, including contributing towards upskilling across the Branch and Agency.
• Adaptability, resilience and flexibility in the face of changing and competing priorities; and
• Has a sound understanding of the Commonwealth Procurement Framework.

Security Clearance

Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance at "Negative Vetting Level 1".

The key duties of the position include:

The Role

The acquisition of conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines is an historic and transformative endeavour for Australia. The whole-of-nation effort to safely and securely deliver the cutting edge nuclear-powered submarine program will transform Australia’s economic and national security landscape for decades to come.

The acquisition of conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines is an historic and transformative endeavour for Australia. This whole-of-nation program will strengthen Australia's national security and deliver lasting economic and industrial benefits for generations to come.

As an APS 6 Contracting Officer, you will provide specialist procurement and contracting advice to support the delivery of complex and strategically significant outcomes across the Australian Submarine Agency (ASA). Working under broad direction, you will take responsibility for managing complex procurement and contract management activities, while ensuring compliance with relevant legislation, policies and Commonwealth procurement frameworks.

You will contribute to procurement planning, tendering, contract formation and contract management activities, provide advice on commercial risks and contractual matters, and develop solutions to complex procurement challenges. The role requires initiative, sound judgement and the ability to interpret policy and apply procurement principles to achieve business outcomes.

You will engage with a diverse range of stakeholders, including subject matter experts, legal and financial advisers, and business areas across ASA. You may also lead work priorities, coach team members and contribute to building capability within the work unit. This is an opportunity to apply your procurement and commercial expertise to support one of Australia's most significant national capability programs

About our Team

The Commercial Branch delivers end-to-end procurement, contracting and commercial support across the Australian Submarine Agency, enabling the successful delivery of Australia's nuclear-powered submarine program.

The team provides expert advice and support across procurement planning, market approaches, contract establishment, contract management, commercial risk management and procurement governance. Working in a complex and evolving environment, we partner with stakeholders across the Agency to deliver compliant, value-for-money and strategically aligned procurement outcomes.

As an APS 6 Contracting Officer, you will join a professional and collaborative team that values innovation, integrity and continuous improvement. You will have opportunities to support complex commercial work, contribute to capability development and influence commercial outcomes that directly support the delivery of a nationally significant program.

Our Ideal Candidate

We are a dynamic organization seeking employees who are agile, innovative and energised by high-paced work. We are seeking highly motivated and collaborative minded people who will have the opportunity to contribute to a once in a lifetime program.

Our ideal candidates will bring the following attributes and skills to the role:

We are seeking highly capable procurement and contracting professionals who can confidently manage complex work, build strong stakeholder relationships and deliver quality outcomes in a dynamic environment.

Our ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• Experience with complex procurements, including planning complex commercial arrangements and developing commercial strategies, drafting approaches to market, participating in commercial evaluations and negotiations with suppliers, up to contract execution.
• Experience in providing commercial support and advice to contract management activities, including reviewing contract change proposals, review of commercial deliverables, advising on performance outcomes under contracts and remediating or addressing underperformance.
• Demonstrated experience delivering practical commercial advice taking into account relevant legislation, procurement policies and best practice.
• Strong analytical skills, attention to detail and sound judgement;
• Excellent written, interpersonal and verbal communication skills;
• The ability to think strategically in a sensitive and fast-paced environment;
• An outcome-focused mindset, with an ability to apply innovative and flexible approaches to achieving results;
• An ability to build and sustain effective relationships, and work collaboratively and independently as required with a wide array of internal and external stakeholders;
• Drive to support commercial professionalisation initiatives, including contributing towards upskilling across the Branch and Agency.
• Adaptability, resilience and flexibility in the face of changing and competing priorities; and
• Has a sound understanding of the Commonwealth Procurement Framework.

Eligibility

Security Clearance

Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance at "Negative Vetting Level 1".

Getting to know the Australian Submarine Agency

The Australian Submarine Agency was established on 1 July 2023 and is responsible and accountable for the management and oversight of Australia’s nuclear-powered submarine program.Australia’s acquisition of conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines through the AUKUS partnership will be critical to ensuring our Defence Force has the capabilities needed to keep Australians safe.The Australian Submarine Agency operates under the Defence portfolio and maintains strong linkages with the Department of Defence. Our workforce comprises a mixture of Australian Public Servants, Australian Defence Force members and contractors.At the Australian Submarine Agency, you will enjoy experiences and opportunities that, as an APS employee, you simply would not get in any other organisation. You are able to undertake interesting, challenging and unique work. This ranges from intelligence and strategic policy right through to human resources, communications, infrastructure and engineering, and information technology.As part of the Australian Submarine Agency you will be working at the cutting edge of capability delivery, supported by professionalisation pathways so you can continue to develop, along with unique and varied career opportunities.Our people are capable, committed and diverse. We support an inclusive culture that emphasises respect and collaboration and prioritises safety and security. Our greatest asset is our people.We offer flexible working arrangements and a range of formal and informal professional development opportunities.