Contracts Manager

Hitachi Rail Limited; Brisbane; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Hitachi Energy seeks an experienced Contracts Manager to lead contract governance for the Grid Automation Business Unit in Australia. You will review customer and supplier contracts, negotiate terms, and develop strategies that balance commercial and project objectives.

You will partner with Legal, Project Management, and Sales to resolve disputes, manage claims, and mitigate risk while driving continuous improvement across project portfolios in Brisbane and beyond.

Qualifications

• Minimum qualification: Batchelor degree in Engineering or law.
• 8-10 years of contracts management in Engineering, procurement & construction environment.
• Proficient with MS Word, Excel; Demonstrated Negotiation skills; knowledge of Software related (SAAS) / FIDIC contracts (yellow/orange/red book); AS or ASNZS is an advantage.
• Ability to assess, propose and implement solutions to troubled or challenging projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead contract governance across a portfolio of projects, ensuring compliance with company policies and contract management best practices.
• Review, negotiate, and manage customer and supplier contracts during tender and execution phases.
• Develop contract strategies balancing commercial objectives, scope, schedule, pricing, opportunities and risk exposure.
• Support the drafting and negotiation of purchase orders, subcontracts, and supplier agreements; ensure proper risk allocation.
• Manage contract execution activities including payments, variation orders, claims, warranties, and other deliverables.
• Identify, assess, and pursue entitlements including extensions of time and compensation events.
• Protect the company’s contractual position through stakeholder engagement and negotiations.
• Partner with Legal, Project Management, and Sales to resolve disputes and manage risks.
• Drive commercial risk management and capture lessons learned for future projects.

Skills

Contract governance

Contract review

Negotiation

Contract strategy

PO & subcontracts

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Law

Tools

MS Word

MS Excel

SAAS contracts

FIDIC contracts

AS/ASNZS standards

Job description

Description

The opportunity

Leading the provision of contract management services to the Grid Automation Business Unit in Australia, ensuring all contract management matters and activities are executed in accordance with Group/Division/Business Unit directives and instructions including Company procedures and the Contract Management Framework.

How you’ll make an impact

• Lead contract governance across a portfolio of projects, ensuring compliance with company policies, contractual obligations, and contract management best practices.
• Review, negotiate, and manage customer and supplier contracts, including commercial and technical terms and conditions during tender and execution phases.
• Develop contract strategies that balance commercial objectives, project scope, schedule, pricing, opportunities, and risk exposure.
• Support the drafting and negotiation of purchase orders, subcontracts, and supplier agreements, ensuring appropriate risk allocation and flow-down of contractual obligations.
• Manage contract execution activities, including payments, variation orders, claims, warranties, guarantees, and other key commercial deliverables.
• Identify, assess, and pursue contractual entitlements, including extensions of time, compensation events, and claims arising from scope changes or project impacts.
• Protect the company’s contractual position through effective stakeholder engagement, commercial negotiations, and proactive management of customer and supplier relationships.
• Partner with Legal, Project Management, and Sales teams to resolve disputes, manage claims, mitigate risks, and support successful project outcomes.
• Drive commercial risk management and continuous improvement by identifying contractual risks and opportunities, implementing mitigation plans, and capturing lessons learned to improve future project performance.

Your background

• Minimum qualification: Batchelor degree in Engineering or law.
• 8-10 years of contracts management in Engineering, procurement & construction environment.
• Proficient with MS Word, Excel; Demonstrated Negotiation skills, knowledge of Software related (SAAS) / FIDIC contracts (yellow/orange/red book), AS or ASNZS is an advantage.
• Ability to assess, propose and implement solutions to troubled or challenging projects.

Accessibility and reasonable accommodation

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Use of Al and automated tools in recruitment

As part of our recruitment process, Hitachi Energy uses digital and automated tools, including Al-supported solutions, to assist with activities such as application screening, job matching, and interview scheduling. These tools are designed to support our recruiters and do not replace human decision‑making. Candidate data is processed in accordance with applicable data protection and employment laws as well as

Background Screening and Security Checks

As part of the hiring process, Hitachi Energy conducts pre-employment background checks that may include verification of employment history, education, criminal records, and other relevant information, in accordance with applicable laws.

For certain roles—particularly those involving access to sensitive information, financial responsibilities, client data, regulated environments, or security‑sensitive functions—additional or more comprehensive background or security screenings may be required. These may include, but are not limited to, enhanced criminal history checks, credit history reviews (where legally permissible), sanctions screening, or other due diligence measures aligned with the responsibilities of the position.

The scope and depth of any background or security review will be determined based on the nature of the role and business necessity, and will always be conducted in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Candidates will be notified and, where required, asked to provide consent prior to the initiation of any such checks.