Senior Contract Manager

Chandler Macleod; City of Melbourne; Hybrid; AUD 282,408,000 - 289,296,000; Full time

Job summary

Chandler Macleod in Melbourne is seeking a seasoned Senior Contracts Manager to provide commercial leadership across a portfolio of complex infrastructure and project-related contracts. This is a 3-month contract with hybrid working arrangements and a competitive rate of $99 per hour plus super.

You will drive procurement planning, contract governance, commercial risk and stakeholder engagement, advising senior leaders and project teams to secure outcomes while ensuring compliance with

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification in Business, Commerce, Law, Procurement, Supply Chain or related discipline.
• Extensive senior contract management experience in infrastructure or major projects.
• Experience leading procurement and strategic sourcing initiatives.
• Strong negotiation and stakeholder influence at executive level.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and commercial oversight across complex project contracts.
• Lead procurement planning, sourcing strategies and tender activities (RFQ/RFT).
• Drive contract management frameworks, governance and compliance.
• Lead complex commercial negotiations and value-for-money outcomes.
• Identify, assess and mitigate contractual, operational and commercial risks.
• Act as a trusted advisor to project delivery teams and senior stakeholders.
• Manage supplier relationships, contract performance, variations and dispute resolution.
• Oversee contract compliance, reporting and performance outcomes.
• Partner with legal, finance, risk and project teams to ensure successful commercial outcomes.
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives across procurement and contract management functions.

Skills

Contract management

Procurement leadership

Stakeholder management

Commercial acumen

Negotiation

Strategic sourcing

Governance

Risk management

Leadership

Education

Degree in Business/Commerce/Law

Job description

Senior Contracts Manager

Melbourne CBD / Hybrid /$99ph + super

Short-Term 3 month contract - potential extension

We are seeking a seasoned Senior Contracts Manager to provide commercial leadership across a portfolio of complex infrastructure and project-related contracts. This is a strategic role for an experienced contracts professional who can confidently operate across procurement, contract governance, commercial risk and stakeholder management. Working closely with senior leaders and project teams, you will provide expert advice and oversight to ensure commercial outcomes are achieved while maintaining compliance with government procurement policies and contractual obligations.

As a senior member of the Commercial team, you will be responsible for leading contract management activities across a diverse portfolio of design, construction, goods and services contracts. You will drive procurement and contracting strategies, oversee complex supplier relationships, manage commercial risk and provide high-level advice to stakeholders throughout the contract lifecycle. This role requires a proactive leader who can balance operational delivery with strategic commercial decision-making.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and commercial oversight across complex project contracts.
• Lead procurement planning, sourcing strategies and tender activities, including RFQ and RFT processes.
• Drive best-practice contract management frameworks, governance and compliance.
• Lead complex commercial negotiations and deliver value-for-money outcomes.
• Identify, assess and mitigate contractual, operational and commercial risks.
• Act as a trusted advisor to project delivery teams and senior stakeholders.
• Manage supplier relationships, contract performance, variations and dispute resolution.
• Oversee contract compliance, reporting and performance outcomes.
• Partner with legal, finance, risk and project teams to ensure successful commercial outcomes.
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives across procurement and contract management functions.

About You

You are a highly experienced commercial professional with a strong track record managing complex contracts within infrastructure, construction, transport, government or major project environments.

You will bring:

• Tertiary qualifications in Business, Commerce, Law, Procurement, Supply Chain or a related discipline.
• Significant experience in senior contract management, procurement or commercial leadership roles.
• Demonstrated success managing complex construction, infrastructure or project-based contracts.
• Extensive experience leading procurement activities and strategic sourcing initiatives.
• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to negotiate and influence at a senior level.
• Experience providing strategic procurement and contract advice to executive stakeholders.
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement, communication and relationship management skills.
• Government, rail, transport, infrastructure or construction sector experience will be highly regarded.

At Chandler Macleod, we are committed to fostering a diverse workforce where everyone is welcome. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, women, neurodiverse, people living with a disability and the LGBTIQA+ community.

You can read more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion at https://www.chandlermacleod.com/diversity-and-inclusio n.