Contracts Manager/Commercial Manager

Randstad; Brisbane; On-site; AUD 184,000 - 263,000; Full time

Job summary

Randstad's public infrastructure division seeks a Senior Commercial Manager / Contracts Specialist to oversee commercial direction across a high-value portfolio. Based in Brisbane, you will evaluate complex claims, manage contract administration, and provide strategic guidance to project delivery teams on governance and risk.

In this contract/temporary role through to 30 June 2027, you will act as the senior sounding board for major programs, lead dispute resolution, review entitlements, and

Qualifications

• Extensive track record in commercial management, claims assessment, and contract administration across major Australian building or civil infrastructure projects.
• Deep working knowledge of standard Australian construction contracts (e.g., AS 2124, AS 4000) and legislative frameworks (Security of Payment).
• Proven ability to unpack complex time/cost claims, assess quantum and delay entitlements, and negotiate commercial resolutions without escalating to formal litigation.
• Exceptional report-writing and stakeholder engagement skills, translating dense contractual clauses into clear, actionable advice for delivery teams.

Responsibilities

• Variation & Entitlement Assessment: Review complex variation claims, superintendents' determinations, and project manager assessments.
• Dispute Resolution & Commercial Escalation: Act as the escalation lead for contentious contractual matters and disputes, coordinate with external legal advisers.
• Contract Administration & Correspondence: Draft, review, and refine critical notices to mitigate legal exposure and ensure procedural compliance.
• Capability Uplift & Coaching: Deliver guidance and contract administration playbooks to project managers, superintendents, and delivery teams.
• Continuous Improvement: Analyse portfolio-wide variation trends and recommend enhancements to standard form contracts and procurement frameworks.

Skills

Commercial management

Claims assessment

Contract administration

Negotiation

Stakeholder engagement

Job description

Senior Commercial Manager / Contracts Specialist - Major Infrastructure

Work Type: Contract / Temp (Initial contract to June 30, 2027)

Pay Rate: $162.20 per hour + super

Location: Brisbane, QLD

Key Selling Points

• Exceptional Rate & Stability: $162.20/hr + super on a high-value, long-term contract through to June 30, 2027.
• High-Level Influence: Direct escalation point on major, multi-million-dollar public infrastructure programs.
• Portfolio Scope: Provide strategic commercial direction across a diverse portfolio rather than being tied down to a single site.

About the Opportunity

We are recruiting a seasoned Senior Commercial Manager / Contracts Specialist on behalf of a key Queensland public-sector infrastructure delivery division.

Operating across an active, high-priority capital works portfolio, you will serve as the senior commercial sounding board and advisory lead. You will be responsible for evaluating complex claims, resolving contractual disputes, safeguarding commercial risk, and upskilling project delivery teams on best-practice contract administration.

Key Responsibilities

• Variation & Entitlement Assessment: Review complex variation claims, superintendents' determinations, and project manager assessments. Scrutinise contractual entitlement, quantum methodologies, supporting documentation, and statutory compliance.
• Dispute Resolution & Commercial Escalation: Act as the escalation lead for contentious contractual matters and disputes. Formulate pragmatic, commercial negotiation strategies and coordinate with external legal advisers when required.
• Contract Administration & Correspondence: Draft, review, and refine critical notices (e.g., variation directions, extensions of time, letters of acceptance, completion certificates) to mitigate legal exposure and ensure procedural compliance.
• Capability Uplift & Coaching: Deliver targeted guidance, contract administration playbooks, and practical coaching to internal project managers, superintendents, and delivery teams.
• Continuous Improvement: Analyse portfolio-wide variation trends and recommend enhancements to standard form contracts, risk-allocation models, and procurement frameworks.

What You Bring

• Demonstrated Expertise: Extensive track record in commercial management, claims assessment, and contract administration across major Australian building or civil infrastructure projects.
• Contract Mastery: Deep working knowledge of standard Australian construction contracts (e.g., AS 2124, AS 4000 suite, or standard government suites) and legislative frameworks (including Security of Payment).
• Dispute & Claims Acumen: Proven ability to unpack complex time/cost claims, assess quantum and delay entitlements, and negotiate commercial resolutions without escalating to formal litigation.
• Advisory & Communication Skills: Exceptional report-writing and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to translate dense contractual clauses into clear, actionable advice for delivery teams.

At Randstad, we are passionate about providing equal employment opportunities and embracing diversity to the benefit of all. We actively encourage applications from any background.