Contracts Manager

Ugl Pty Limited; Port Macquarie; On-site; AUD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

UGL Transport is seeking a Contracts Manager to provide contractual expertise across rail projects in New South Wales and Queensland. The role focuses on ensuring compliance, managing subcontract terms, and driving cost efficiency on complex subcontracts.

You will lead procurement planning, negotiate terms, and provide commercial support through downstream contract negotiations while coordinating with project teams and stakeholders to protect UGL Transport’s commercial interests.

Qualifications

• Tertiary educated in Engineering, Commerce/Business, Law, Quantity Surveying or Construction Management (or equivalent experience)
• Demonstrated commercial acumen and the ability to interpret and apply contracts.
• Strong awareness in cost management and contract law and demonstrated ability to manage commercial negotiations.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the principles and practices of contract management, program financial management, risk and opportunity management, performance reporting, budget preparation and administration.
• Experience in lump sum D&C contracts is a must

Responsibilities

• Lead scope of works planning, ensuring that scope gaps are minimised, cost efficiencies are maximised and subcontractor capabilities are considered.
• Prepare procurement strategies in conjunction with the Project Manager, including break into individual works packages, identification of potential subcontractors, procurement methods and timing in alignment with an approved Project Procurement Plan.
• Maintain contact and good working relationships with a broad range of stakeholders and maintain good awareness of market conditions and movements.
• Procure the project in accordance with approved strategy ensuring that orders are fully scoped, bought at best value and are correctly contracted in accordance with limits of authority.
• Negotiate subcontract and supplier contract terms, conditions and pricing and follow up to ensure execution according to the negotiated terms.
• Provide effective commercial support during downstream contract negotiations, in particular ensuring appropriate legal approvals are obtained in relation to any deviations from UGL Transport standard terms and conditions.
• Accountable for maximisation of the commercial benefit of subcontracts and effective management of contract change.
• This includes ensuring Subcontractor / supplier payment claims valuations are accurately assessed, challenged appropriately, certified and paid on time.
• Ensure cost forecasting for allocated subcontracts are accurately maintained and cost issues are appropriately escalated upon identification.
• Addressing contractual matters with subcontractors/suppliers including negotiating variations, claims, EOT and mitigating any contractual disputes Assess upstream and downstream commercial and contractual risks, identify and implement appropriate controls and elevate actual or potential issues to Commercial Manager and Project Manager.
• Provide clear, concise advice to project teams in relation to upstream contractual rights and obligations.
• Ensure upstream contracts are administered effectively to ensure responsibilities and obligations of the contract are met, and UGL Transport’s rights and interests are protected in a manner that is timely, accurate and compliant.
• Undertake robust contract and commercial analysis of issues, prospective claims, prospect & viability of active claims.
• Ensure upstream contracts are administered effectively to ensure responsibilities and obligations of the contract are met, and UGL Transport’s rights and interests are protected in a manner that is timely, accurate and compliant

Education

Tertiary educated in Engineering, Commerce/Business, Law, Quantity Surveying or Construction Management (or equivalent experience)

Job description

UGL Transport is a diversified transport company delivering critical assets and essential services that sustain and enhance the environment in which we live. Our capabilities extend across a broad range of services and whole-of-life solutions across the Transport sector, utilising world leading, sustainable and innovative technologies. We partner with some of the world’s largest blue-chip companies, government agencies, private enterprise, and public institutions. We are guided by our Company values which extend to all leaders and team members and across all departments within the company.

Job Purpose

The role will provide contractual expertise during the performance of projects to ensure contract requirements are adhered to and the interests of UGL Transport are protected. The Contracts Manager will promote, encourage and ensure management and implementation of effective commercial practices including contractual compliance. The role sponsors reducing project cost and risk, whilst maintaining value for clients. This position is for upcoming projects in Queensland and New South Wales in the Rail Systems space

Key Responsibilities

• Lead scope of works planning, ensuring that scope gaps are minimised, cost efficiencies are maximised and subcontractor capabilities are considered.
• Prepare procurement strategies in conjunction with the Project Manager, including break into individual works packages, identification of potential subcontractors, procurement methods and timing in alignment with an approved Project Procurement Plan.
• Maintain contact and good working relationships with a broad range of stakeholders and maintain good awareness of market conditions and movements.
• Procure the project in accordance with approved strategy ensuring that orders are fully scoped, bought at best value and are correctly contracted in accordance with limits of authority.
• Negotiate subcontract and supplier contract terms, conditions and pricing and follow up to ensure execution according to the negotiated terms.
• Provide effective commercial support during downstream contract negotiations, in particular ensuring appropriate legal approvals are obtained in relation to any deviations from UGL Transport standard terms and conditions.
• Accountable for maximisation of the commercial benefit of subcontracts and effective management of contract change.
• This includes ensuring Subcontractor / supplier payment claims valuations are accurately assessed, challenged appropriately, certified and paid on time.
• Ensure cost forecasting for allocated subcontracts are accurately maintained and cost issues are appropriately escalated upon identification.
• Addressing contractual matters with subcontractors/suppliers including negotiating variations, claims, EOT and mitigating any contractual disputes Assess upstream and downstream commercial and contractual risks, identify and implement appropriate controls and elevate actual or potential issues to Commercial Manager and Project Manager.
• Provide clear, concise advice to project teams in relation to upstream contractual rights and obligations.
• Ensure upstream contracts are administered effectively to ensure responsibilities and obligations of the contract are met, and UGL Transport’s rights and interests are protected in a manner that is timely, accurate and compliant.
• Undertake robust contract and commercial analysis of issues, prospective claims, prospect & viability of active claims.
• Ensure upstream contracts are administered effectively to ensure responsibilities and obligations of the contract are met, and UGL Transport’s rights and interests are protected in a manner that is timely, accurate and compliant.

Qualifications

• Tertiary educated in Engineering, Commerce/Business, Law, Quantity Surveying or Construction Management (or equivalent experience)
• Demonstrated commercial acumen and the ability to interpret and apply contracts.
• Strong awareness in areas of cost management and contract law and demonstrated ability to manage commercial negotiations.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the principles and practices of contract management, program financial management, risk and opportunity management, performance reporting, budget preparation and administration.
• Experience in lump sum D&C contracts is a must

Diversity

We embrace diversity in all its forms, backgrounds, ideas, work styles, and perspectives. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we strongly encourage applications from women, individuals with disabilities, Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people, mature-aged workers, and those from culturally diverse backgrounds. Our selection process includes relevant screening checks such as national criminal history and pre-employment medical assessments, including drug and alcohol screening.

REF:268720