Contracts Manager

Morson Edge; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Morson Edge is assisting a leading Australian renewable energy developer to hire a Contracts Manager. You will own contracting and procurement across a growing portfolio of utility-scale solar PV and battery storage projects.

This role can be based on the East Coast, with Melbourne preferred, and involves shaping contracting strategy, running RFPs, negotiating key equipment and EPC contracts, and coordinating with lenders through financial close.

Qualifications

• Hands-on contracts or procurement experience on utility-scale solar PV or BESS projects, or both.
• Record of negotiating major equipment supply and EPC or balance of plant contracts, ideally on the developer or owner side.
• Working knowledge of AS 4000, AS 4902 and FIDIC.
• Understanding of project finance requirements and how lenders review key project contracts.
• A degree in engineering, construction management, commerce or law, or equivalent experience.
• Confidence negotiating with global suppliers and Tier 1 contractors, and ability to communicate clearly with senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Develop contracting and procurement strategies for each project, including EPC, split-package and owner-supplied equipment models.
• Run RFPs, bid evaluations and negotiations for major equipment and subcontractor services.
• Negotiate commercial terms including payment milestones, liquidated damages, performance guarantees, warranties, security and insurance.
• Work with external legal counsel on drafting and risk allocation, using AS 4000, AS 4902 or FIDIC-based forms.
• Align contract terms with lender, investor and technical advisor requirements to support financial close.
• Manage supply chain risk, including pricing, lead times, tariffs and supplier traceability.
• Administer contracts through construction, including variations, claims and extensions of time.
• Build the templates and procedures the business will use on every project after this one.

Job description

Our client is an Australian renewable energy developer with a growing pipeline of utility-scale solar PV and battery storage projects moving from development into construction. They are building out their commercial team and need a Contracts Manager to take ownership of contracts and procurement across the portfolio.

This role can be based anywhere on the East Coast, ideally Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane.

The role

You decide how each project is contracted and procured, then you negotiate it. That covers major equipment supply (modules, trackers, inverters, BESS and PCS, transformers, switchgear) and subcontractor services (EPC, balance of plant, civil, electrical, O&M). You set the terms on price, programme, warranties, performance guarantees and liability, make sure they stand up to lenders and investors, and carry each package through to award and contract administration.

What you will do

• Develop contracting and procurement strategies for each project, including EPC, split-package and owner-supplied equipment models
• Run RFPs, bid evaluations and negotiations for major equipment and subcontractor services
• Negotiate commercial terms including payment milestones, liquidated damages, performance guarantees, warranties, security and insurance
• Work with external legal counsel on drafting and risk allocation, using AS 4000, AS 4902 or FIDIC-based forms
• Align contract terms with lender, investor and technical advisor requirements to support financial close
• Manage supply chain risk, including pricing, lead times, tariffs and supplier traceability
• Administer contracts through construction, including variations, claims and extensions of time
• Build the templates and procedures the business will use on every project after this one

What you bring

• Essential: hands‑on contracts or procurement experience on utility‑scale solar PV or BESS projects, or both
• A record of negotiating major equipment supply and EPC or balance of plant contracts, ideally on the developer or owner side
• Working knowledge of AS 4000, AS 4902 and FIDIC
• An understanding of project finance requirements and how lenders review key project contracts
• A degree in engineering, construction management, commerce or law, or equivalent experience
• Confidence negotiating with global suppliers and Tier 1 contractors, and the ability to communicate clearly with senior stakeholders

Why join

• Real ownership: you set the contracting approach rather than only administering someone else’s
• Developer side: you sit close to the decisions that drive financing and delivery
• Room to shape the function: the business is moving from development into build, and your standards will carry across the portfolio