General Manager - Commercial & Contracts

Trident Services Australia Pty Ltd; Melbourne; Hybrid; AUD 190,000 - 220,000; Full time

Job summary

Trident Services Australia Pty Ltd is seeking an experienced commercial and legal professional to lead our Commercial and Contracts function. You will guide contracting, tendering, procurement and risk across a broad national services portfolio while advising executives on complex commercial issues.

Reporting to the EGM – Operations, you will develop strategy, lead negotiations and ensure governance across multi‑site operations with a hybrid work arrangement and Brisbane base.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Laws and admission, or eligibility for admission, as an Australian legal practitioner.
• 8–10 years’ post‑admission or equivalent senior contract and commercial law experience.
• Strong expertise in Australian contract and commercial law, with demonstrated capability in drafting, reviewing and negotiating complex commercial agreements.
• Experience advising executives and operational leaders on contractual risk, governance, claims and disputes.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Commercial and Contracts function, setting priorities and building commercial capability.
• Oversee end‑to‑end tendering, bid strategy, response development and negotiation.
• Lead commercial contracting, drafting and negotiating major client, supplier and subcontractor agreements.
• Strengthen contract governance with frameworks, approvals, templates and controls.
• Support contract delivery with mobilisation, variations, renewals and risk management.
• Lead national procurement and negotiate to improve value and consistency.
• Manage public liability claims and coordinate insurers and advisers.
• Provide practical legal and commercial guidance to executives and operational teams.

Skills

Commercial law

Contract negotiation

Tendering

Procurement

Leadership

Education

Bachelor of Laws

Admission to Australian legal practitioner

Job description

We welcome applications from interstate candidates, with relocation support considered for the right person. Based at our Cannon Hill office in Brisbane, this role offers hybrid working arrangements and the opportunity to lead a broad national commercial function.

Lead commercial strategy, contracts, tenders and procurement across a growing national services business.

Trident Services Australia is seeking an experienced commercial and legal professional to lead our Commercial and Contracts function.

Combining strong legal expertise with practical commercial judgement, you will influence major business decisions, lead complex negotiations and strengthen the frameworks that support sustainable growth.

About the role

Reporting to the EGM – Operations and working closely with our Executive Leadership Team, Operations and Finance, you will lead the Commercial and Contracts team and oversee commercial contracting, tendering, national procurement and contractual risk.

This is a broad leadership role with hands‑on responsibility for legal drafting, contract negotiation and practical advice. You will help the business secure commercially sound agreements, translate contractual commitments into clear operational requirements and manage risk throughout the contract lifecycle.

Key responsibilities

Lead the Commercial and Contracts function: Set priorities, guide the team and build commercial capability across the organisation.

Oversee end‑to‑end tendering: Lead bid strategy, tender response development, cost estimation, commercial evaluation, contractual review and negotiation.

Lead commercial contracting: Draft, review and negotiate major client, supplier and subcontractor agreements, providing clear advice on risk allocation, departures and commercial implications.

Strengthen contract governance: Develop and maintain frameworks, delegated authorities, approval processes, templates and controls, ensuring material risks and obligations are understood and managed.

Support contract delivery: Work with operational leaders on mobilisation, contract administration, variations, renewals, performance issues, claims, disputes and close‑out.

Lead national procurement: Develop procurement strategy and oversee sourcing, supplier evaluation and negotiations to improve value, consistency and supply efficiency.

Manage public liability claims: Oversee claims nationally, coordinating investigations, insurers, brokers and legal advisers through to resolution.

Provide practical legal and commercial guidance: Advise executives and operational teams, deliver training and manage external legal advisers where specialist support is required.

About you

You are an experienced commercial and legal professional who can work confidently through complex agreements and help business leaders understand what those agreements mean in practice.

You bring sound judgement, strong negotiating skills and the ability to balance contractual protection, commercial value and operational requirements.

Your background will include:

A Bachelor of Laws and admission, or eligibility for admission, as an Australian legal practitioner.

8–10 years’ post‑admission or equivalent senior contract and commercial law experience.

Strong expertise in Australian contract and commercial law, with demonstrated capability in drafting, reviewing and negotiating complex commercial agreements.

Experience advising executives and operational leaders on contractual risk, governance, claims and disputes.

A sound understanding of tendering, procurement, subcontracting and contract administration.

The ability to explain complex issues clearly, influence stakeholders and provide practical recommendations.

Experience managing competing priorities in a fast‑paced, multi‑site business.

Experience in facilities management, security, cleaning, aviation, infrastructure or outsourced services will be highly regarded, as will people leadership experience and a current practising certificate.

Work closely with executive leaders and influence significant commercial decisions.

Take ownership of a broad function spanning contracts, tenders, procurement and risk.

Shape the frameworks, processes and capability that support our continued growth.

Work across a diverse national client portfolio and complex operating environments.

Access hybrid working arrangements and remuneration of $190,000–$220,000 plus superannuation, reflecting your experience and capability.

About us

Founded in 1996, Trident Services Australia is a proudly 100% Australian‑owned provider of integrated security and cleaning services.

We employ more than 2,500 people across Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and the Northern Territory, supporting major clients across retail, commercial, aviation, maritime and other complex operating environments.

Our continued growth is built on strong client partnerships, operational excellence and our commitment to delivering safe, reliable and high‑quality services.

Facilities Management & Outsourced Services 1,001-5,000 employees

Trident Services provides tailored service solutions for government, commercial, retail, aviation, maritime, and council facilities, as well as events and public parklands.

With a focus on keeping people and property safe, we aim to enhance your customers’ experience, champion your safety and security culture, and actively support your business in achieving compliance and best practice.

Currently employing more than 2000 people across 40+ sites throughout Australia, our team offers high‑level security, general and specialist cleaning, and asset management services supported by an industry‑leading technology platform delivering powerful data for real‑time decision‑making and reporting.

Trident Services provides tailored service solutions for government, commercial, retail, aviation, maritime, and council facilities, as well as events and public parklands.

With a focus on keeping people and property safe, we aim to enhance your customers’ experience, champion your safety and security culture, and actively support your business in achieving compliance and best practice.

Currently employing more than 2000 people across 40+ sites throughout Australia, our team offers high‑level security, general and specialist cleaning, and asset management services supported by an industry‑leading technology platform delivering powerful data for real‑time decision‑making and reporting.

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