Contracts Administrator

Zenith Executive Search; Toowoomba Regional; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Zenith Executive Search is seeking an experienced Contracts Administrator for a commercial construction portfolio, including government and commercial building projects. You will work with the Project Manager and team to manage procurement, contracts, variations and cost reporting across projects.

Ideal candidates will have tertiary qualifications in construction-related fields and proven experience in commercial construction contracting, procurement, and cost control.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification in Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Engineering, Building or related discipline.
• Previous experience as a Contracts Administrator within the commercial construction industry.
• Experience delivering commercial building, government, education, healthcare, defence or other institutional projects would be highly regarded.
• Good understanding of construction contracts, subcontract agreements and commercial administration.
• Experience across subcontractor procurement, progress claims, variations, cost reporting and forecasting.
• Ability to interpret construction drawings, specifications, scopes and contractual documentation.
• Understanding of Australian construction legislation and Security of Payment requirements.
• Strong commercial awareness with the ability to identify contractual and financial risks.
• Confident communication and negotiation skills when dealing with subcontractors, consultants and clients.
• Strong attention to detail with excellent organisation and documentation skills.
• Experience with systems such as Procore, Aconex, Jobpac or Cheops would be advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Assist with the commercial and contractual administration of commercial and government construction projects.
• Administer head contract and subcontract obligations, ensuring contractual requirements and timeframes are met.
• Manage subcontractor procurement, including preparation of tender packages, scopes of work, tender comparisons and recommendations.
• Negotiate subcontractor pricing, scope and commercial terms prior to contract award.
• Prepare and administer subcontract agreements and purchase orders.
• Manage subcontractor progress claims, payment schedules, variations and final accounts.
• Prepare and submit head contract progress claims and supporting documentation.
• Identify, prepare and manage project variations, ensuring contractual entitlements are appropriately documented and recovered.
• Assist with Extensions of Time (EOTs), delay notices and other contractual correspondence.
• Maintain accurate project cost reporting, budgets, committed costs, accruals and cost-to-complete forecasts.
• Support monthly forecasting and commercial reporting alongside the Project Manager and senior commercial team.
• Monitor project expenditure and identify potential commercial risks or cost overruns.
• Review drawings, specifications, contracts and scopes to identify commercial risks, discrepancies and potential variations.
• Maintain accurate records of contractual correspondence, notices, claims and commercial documentation.
• Liaise with clients, consultants, subcontractors and suppliers throughout project delivery.
• Support the Project Manager with commercial negotiations and resolution of contractual issues.
• Assist with cash flow management and monitoring of project financial performance.
• Ensure compliance with relevant contracts, company procedures and Security of Payment legislation.
• Manage project close-out activities, including subcontractor final accounts, outstanding variations and commercial documentation.
• Work collaboratively with site teams to ensure commercial decisions align with construction requirements and programme.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with subcontractors, consultants and project stakeholders.

Skills

Contract administration

Budget & cost control

Contract negotiation

Documentation

Communication

Education

Construction Management degree

Quantity Surveying degree

Engineering degree

Building degree

Tools

Procore

Aconex

Jobpac

Cheops

Job description

Contracts Administrator - Commercial Construction

We are seeking an experienced Contracts Administrator to join a commercial construction business delivering a diverse portfolio of government and commercial building projects.

Working closely with the Project Manager, Senior Contracts Administrator and wider project team, you will support the commercial and contractual management of projects from procurement and construction through to completion and final account.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist with the commercial and contractual administration of commercial and government construction projects.

• Administer head contract and subcontract obligations, ensuring contractual requirements and timeframes are met.

• Manage subcontractor procurement, including preparation of tender packages, scopes of work, tender comparisons and recommendations.

• Negotiate subcontractor pricing, scope and commercial terms prior to contract award.

• Prepare and administer subcontract agreements and purchase orders.

• Manage subcontractor progress claims, payment schedules, variations and final accounts.

• Prepare and submit head contract progress claims and supporting documentation.

• Identify, prepare and manage project variations, ensuring contractual entitlements are appropriately documented and recovered.

• Assist with Extensions of Time (EOTs), delay notices and other contractual correspondence.

• Maintain accurate project cost reporting, budgets, committed costs, accruals and cost-to-complete forecasts.

• Support monthly forecasting and commercial reporting alongside the Project Manager and senior commercial team.

• Monitor project expenditure and identify potential commercial risks or cost overruns.

• Review drawings, specifications, contracts and scopes to identify commercial risks, discrepancies and potential variations.

• Maintain accurate records of contractual correspondence, notices, claims and commercial documentation.

• Liaise with clients, consultants, subcontractors and suppliers throughout project delivery.

• Support the Project Manager with commercial negotiations and resolution of contractual issues.

• Assist with cash flow management and monitoring of project financial performance.

• Ensure compliance with relevant contracts, company procedures and Security of Payment legislation.

• Manage project close-out activities, including subcontractor final accounts, outstanding variations and commercial documentation.

• Work collaboratively with site teams to ensure commercial decisions align with construction requirements and programme.

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with subcontractors, consultants and project stakeholders.

Experience & Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification in Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Engineering, Building or a related discipline.

• Previous experience as a Contracts Administrator within the commercial construction industry.

• Experience delivering commercial building, government, education, healthcare, defence or other institutional projects would be highly regarded.

• Good understanding of construction contracts, subcontract agreements and commercial administration.

• Experience across subcontractor procurement, progress claims, variations, cost reporting and forecasting.

• Ability to interpret construction drawings, specifications, scopes and contractual documentation.

• Understanding of Australian construction legislation and Security of Payment requirements.

• Strong commercial awareness with the ability to identify contractual and financial risks.

• Confident communication and negotiation skills when dealing with subcontractors, consultants and clients.

• Strong attention to detail with excellent organisation and documentation skills.

• Experience with systems such as Procore, Aconex, Jobpac, Cheops or similar would be advantageous.

Key Attributes

The successful candidate will be commercially minded, organised and proactive, with the ability to take ownership of their responsibilities while working collaboratively within a project team.

You will have strong attention to detail, good contractual awareness and the confidence to communicate effectively with subcontractors, consultants and clients.

This position provides the opportunity to develop across the full commercial lifecycle of complex commercial and government building projects, with exposure to experienced project and commercial leadership and a clear pathway toward Senior Contracts Administrator and Contracts Manager level.