Contracts Administrator

Design & Build Recruitment; Wollongong City Council; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Career progression

Mentorship and training

Long-term project stability

Collaborative team culture

Job summary

Design & Build Recruitment in Wollongong, NSW, is seeking an experienced Contracts Administrator to join a major Class 2 residential development. You will own contract and procurement activities, manage variations and payments, and maintain cost reporting to protect project margins.

The role focuses on commercial risk management, effective negotiation with subcontractors, and ensuring deadlines are met, with long-term continuity on a $110M development.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2+ years' experience in Contracts Administration within Australian construction.
• Experience delivering Class 2 residential apartment projects preferred.
• Strong understanding of Australian standard-form contracts including AS4000/AS2124.
• Knowledge of subcontract procurement, variations, progress claims, cost reporting and risk management.
• Commercially minded with the ability to protect project margins.

Responsibilities

• Manage head contract and subcontract administration across a major Class 2 residential development.
• Prepare, review and issue subcontract agreements, scopes of work and documentation.
• Manage variations, progress claims, payment schedules and subcontractor payments.
• Monitor project costs, forecast expenditure and maintain budget reporting.
• Lead procurement activities and negotiate with subcontractors and suppliers.
• Identify contractual risks and opportunities to maximise profitability.
• Review contract terms, notices and ensure deadlines are met.
• Support value engineering and risk management with the Project Manager.
• Maintain relationships with subcontractors and stakeholders and manage commercial conversations.
• Maintain accurate project records to support delivery through to completion.

Skills

Contract administration

Procurement

Budget reporting

Variations

Negotiation

Stakeholder communication

AS4000/AS2124 experience

Job description

Design & Build Recruitment - Wollongong NSW

Contracts Administrator

An opportunity is available for an experienced Contracts Administrator to join a well-established commercial builder delivering a major, multi-stage residential apartment development in Wollongong.

The project comprises residential apartment buildings across multiple stages, with a total construction value of approximately $110M. With more than five years of work expected across the development, this is an excellent opportunity to join a project with long-term continuity, take ownership of key commercial packages and play an important role in protecting project margins and progress internally to a Project Manager level.

This is a commercially focused role suited to someone who understands the importance of contractual risk, proactive procurement and cost control, and who enjoys taking ownership of commercial outcomes rather than simply administering contracts.

Key responsibilities include:

• Managing head contract and subcontract administration across a major Class 2 residential apartment development.
• Preparing, reviewing and issuing subcontract agreements, scopes of work and contractual documentation.
• Managing variations, progress claims, payment schedules and subcontractor payments.
• Monitoring project costs, forecasting expenditure and maintaining accurate budget reporting.
• Leading procurement activities and negotiating with subcontractors and suppliers to achieve favourable commercial outcomes.
• Identifying contractual risks, cost exposures and opportunities to maximise project profitability.
• Reviewing contract terms, managing notices and ensuring contractual obligations and deadlines are met.
• Supporting value engineering, risk management and commercial negotiations alongside the Project Manager.
• Maintaining strong relationships with subcontractors, consultants and project stakeholders while confidently managing difficult commercial conversations.
• Maintaining accurate project records and supporting the successful delivery of the project through to completion.

About You:

• Minimum 2+ years' experience as a Contracts Administrator within the Australian construction industry.
• Previous experience delivering Class 2 residential apartment projects, ideally valued at $30M+.
• Strong understanding of Australian standard-form construction contracts, including AS4000 and AS2124, or equivalent relevant contract experience.
• A solid understanding of subcontract procurement, variations, progress claims, cost reporting and commercial risk management.
• Commercially minded, with the ability to identify contractual opportunities and protect project margins.
• A proactive problem-solver who can think critically, work independently and take ownership of challenges.
• Confident communicating with subcontractors and stakeholders, including managing difficult conversations and negotiating commercial outcomes.
• Strong organisational skills, attention to detail and the ability to manage competing deadlines.

What's On Offer / Salary Package:

• Salary package of approximately $150K-$250K, depending on experience and capability.
• Opportunity to work on a major $110M residential apartment development.
• More than five years of anticipated project work, offering excellent continuity and long-term career stability.
• The opportunity to work within a commercially driven business that places genuine importance on contractual knowledge, risk management and project profitability.
• Exposure to complex contracts, significant subcontract packages and the full commercial lifecycle of a major development.
• Strong training, mentorship and career progression opportunities, with a demonstrated commitment to developing future Project Managers and senior commercial leaders.
• Join a collaborative project team with a strong focus on quality, safety, contractual compliance and commercial performance.

If you're a commercially driven Contracts Administrator or Senior Contracts Administrator looking to take the next step in your career, this is an excellent opportunity to join a reputable builder on a major multi-stage development with long-term work in Wollongong.

For a confidential discussion, please contact Emily Collins at Design & Build Recruitment on 02 9376 8***.