Contracts and Commercial Specialist

Halcyon Knights; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Halcyon Knights is seeking a Contracts & Commercial Specialist to lead commercial delivery on a major aviation technology transformation program for a Australian federal government client.

You will drive contract management, supplier performance and governance across dynamic procurement streams, negotiating optimal commercial outcomes with key vendors such as Saab and Frequentis, and guiding stakeholders through complex contractual arrangements.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of experience in complex contract management and supplier performance.
• Experience managing contracts within large-scale programs or projects.
• Expertise in vendor performance under large-scale operational technology service agreements.
• Proven capability in commercial negotiations, contract variations, dispute resolution and risk mitigation.
• Strong understanding of contract lifecycle management, governance and supplier performance improvement.
• Experience conducting commercial due diligence, financial analysis and lifecycle cost analysis.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication to executives and multidisciplinary teams.
• A tertiary qualification in Business, Commerce, Law or related discipline.

Responsibilities

• Lead the commercial management and administration of TTRP acquisition contracts, aligned with objectives, budgets and delivery schedules.
• Provide expert advice on contractual obligations, including Statements of Work, payment mechanisms, milestones, security obligations, Customer Furnished Materials and interactions with other Airservices contracts.
• Manage supplier performance and commercial relationships with key vendors, including Saab and Frequentis.
• Lead procurement activities and commercial negotiations to achieve value for money, budget outcomes and optimal contractual arrangements.
• Assess, negotiate and manage contract variations and amendments, including security uplift variations, progressing changes through relevant program governance processes and approval boards.
• Conduct commercial due diligence, risk assessments and value-for-money assessments to support informed decision-making on contract changes.
• Identify and mitigate commercial risks while pursuing opportunities to improve supplier performance, contract flexibility and service delivery.
• Develop commercial strategies, briefs, recommendations and process improvements to strengthen program outcomes and governance.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with internal stakeholders, suppliers, legal services and subject-matter experts.
• Support the resolution of contractual disputes and ensure stakeholders understand and comply with contractual obligations and governance requirements.
• Participate in contractual governance forums, including Saab Program Review Board meetings and regular commercial meetings with Saab, Frequentis and Client stakeholders.

Skills

Contract mgmt exp

Large programs

Vendor performance

Negotiation & risk

Lifecycle mgmt

Due diligence & cost

Stakeholder engagement

Executive communication

Education

Tertiary qualification in Business/Commerce/Law

Job description

Are you an experienced commercial and contract management professional ready to play a key role in a major aviation technology transformation program?

Our Fed Gov Client is seeking a highly capable Contracts & Commercial Specialist to lead commercial delivery across the Towers Technology Replacement Program (TTRP). This is an opportunity to influence significant supplier relationships, negotiate optimal commercial outcomes and ensure complex technology contracts deliver value for money, operational performance and business requirements.

Working closely with the TTRP Strategic Commercial Lead, Program Directors, legal services and key suppliers, including Saab and Frequentis, you will provide hands-on commercial advice and contract management expertise across a complex, high-profile program supporting Australia's air traffic management infrastructure.

The Opportunity

As a key member of the Procurement and Commercial Services (PCS) branch, you will drive effective contract management, supplier performance and commercial governance to support the successful delivery of TTRP. You will play an important role in managing contractual risks, identifying commercial opportunities and ensuring supplier obligations are met across cost, schedule, quality and service delivery requirements.

This role suits an established commercial professional who can navigate complex contractual arrangements, influence senior stakeholders and deliver practical solutions in a dynamic program environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the commercial management and administration of TTRP acquisition contracts, ensuring alignment with program objectives, budgets and delivery schedules.
• Provide expert advice on contractual obligations, including Statements of Work, payment mechanisms, milestones, security obligations, Customer Furnished Materials and interactions with other Airservices contracts.
• Manage supplier performance and commercial relationships with key vendors, including Saab and Frequentis, ensuring contractual commitments are met.
• Lead procurement activities and commercial negotiations to achieve value for money, budget outcomes and optimal contractual arrangements.
• Assess, negotiate and manage contract variations and amendments, including security uplift variations, progressing changes through relevant program governance processes and approval boards.
• Conduct commercial due diligence, risk assessments and value-for-money assessments to support informed decision-making on contract changes.
• Identify and mitigate commercial risks while pursuing opportunities to improve supplier performance, contract flexibility and service delivery.
• Develop commercial strategies, briefs, recommendations and process improvements to strengthen program outcomes and governance.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with internal stakeholders, suppliers, legal services and subject-matter experts.
• Support the resolution of contractual disputes and ensure stakeholders understand and comply with contractual obligations and governance requirements.
• Participate in contractual governance forums, including Saab Program Review Board meetings and regular commercial meetings with Saab, Frequentis and Client stakeholders.

Contracts & Commercial Specialist

Towers Technology Replacement Program (TTRP)

Are you an experienced commercial and contract management professional ready to play a key role in a major aviation technology transformation program?

Our Fed Gov Client is seeking a highly capable Contracts & Commercial Specialist to lead commercial delivery across the Towers Technology Replacement Program (TTRP). This is an opportunity to influence significant supplier relationships, negotiate optimal commercial outcomes and ensure complex technology contracts deliver value for money, operational performance and business requirements.

Working closely with the TTRP Strategic Commercial Lead, Program Directors, legal services and key suppliers, including Saab and Frequentis, you will provide hands-on commercial advice and contract management expertise across a complex, high-profile program supporting Australia's air traffic management infrastructure.

The Opportunity

As a key member of the Procurement and Commercial Services (PCS) branch, you will drive effective contract management, supplier performance and commercial governance to support the successful delivery of TTRP. You will play an important role in managing contractual risks, identifying commercial opportunities and ensuring supplier obligations are met across cost, schedule, quality and service delivery requirements.

This role suits an established commercial professional who can navigate complex contractual arrangements, influence senior stakeholders and deliver practical solutions in a dynamic program environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the commercial management and administration of TTRP acquisition contracts, ensuring alignment with program objectives, budgets and delivery schedules.
• Provide expert advice on contractual obligations, including Statements of Work, payment mechanisms, milestones, security obligations, Customer Furnished Materials and interactions with other Airservices contracts.
• Manage supplier performance and commercial relationships with key vendors, including Saab and Frequentis, ensuring contractual commitments are met.
• Lead procurement activities and commercial negotiations to achieve value for money, budget outcomes and optimal contractual arrangements.
• Assess, negotiate and manage contract variations and amendments, including security uplift variations, progressing changes through relevant program governance processes and approval boards.
• Conduct commercial due diligence, risk assessments and value-for-money assessments to support informed decision-making on contract changes.
• Identify and mitigate commercial risks while pursuing opportunities to improve supplier performance, contract flexibility and service delivery.
• Develop commercial strategies, briefs, recommendations and process improvements to strengthen program outcomes and governance.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with internal stakeholders, suppliers, legal services and subject-matter experts.
• Support the resolution of contractual disputes and ensure stakeholders understand and comply with contractual obligations and governance requirements.
• Participate in contractual governance forums, including Saab Program Review Board meetings and regular commercial meetings with Saab, Frequentis and Client stakeholders.

About You

You are a commercially astute and outcomes-focused professional with substantial experience managing complex contracts and supplier relationships within large-scale programs, ideally involving operational technology or critical infrastructure.

You combine strong commercial judgement with the ability to interpret complex contractual provisions, negotiate effectively and influence stakeholders at all levels. You are comfortable working hands-on, managing competing priorities and navigating complex governance environments to secure the best outcomes for the organisation.

Essential Skills and Experience

• 12+ years of experience in complex contract management and supplier performance, with exposure to contemporary commercial models and best-practice approaches.
• Demonstrated experience managing significant contracts within complex program or project delivery environments.
• Considerable expertise in managing vendor performance under large-scale operational technology service agreements.
• Proven capability in commercial negotiations, contract variations, dispute resolution and contractual risk mitigation.
• Strong understanding of contract lifecycle management, legal provisions, commercial governance and supplier performance improvement.
• Experience conducting commercial due diligence, financial analysis, expenditure assessments and lifecycle cost analysis to support value-for-money decisions.
• Demonstrated ability to lead supplier engagements across geographically dispersed teams and stakeholder groups.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex commercial issues clearly to executives, suppliers and multidisciplinary stakeholders.
• Highly developed stakeholder engagement, consultation, facilitation, negotiation and influencing skills.
• Strong analytical capability, attention to detail and the ability to interpret and apply complex organisational frameworks, policies and procedures.
• Sound commercial acumen, judgement and decision-making skills, with a focus on achieving practical, cost-effective and sustainable outcomes.
• A tertiary qualification in Business, Commerce, Law or a related discipline.

Desirable

CIPS accreditation or a relevant contract management qualification.

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