Senior Contract Manager, APAC

Lightsource BP Group; Sydney; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Retention bank

Health insurance

Pension

Local benefits

Job summary

Lightsource bp is seeking a Senior Tender and Contracts Manager – APAC. You will lead the APAC tendering and contract process for solar, wind and storage projects from development to NTP, balancing cost, risk, scope and quality with strong governance.

Role involves cross‑functional work with Development, Engineering, Legal, HSE, Finance and Grid teams. Requires 10+ years in renewables or construction, with strong negotiations and stakeholder management; travel across APAC is expected.

Qualifications

• At least 10 years’ experience in renewable energy and/or construction, ideally with EPCs or similar developers/owners.
• Strong understanding of APAC market, including commercial models, procurement practices, and regional constraints.
• Project management exposure on renewable projects connected to MV and HV networks.
• Proven experience in commercial negotiations, contract closure, and managing claims and variations.
• Demonstrated delivery success and stakeholder management across multi‑disciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead pre‑tender process: RFQs/ITTs, onboarding contractors, coordinating with Development and Engineering.
• Collaborate with Development, Technical and Engineering, Legal, HSE, Grid & Networks, Finance to define requirements and evaluate bids.
• Lead commercial negotiations and shape contract terms aligned with project needs and company standards.
• Recommend award decisions with risk, cost, and value analysis; prepare governance papers.
• Manage tender schedules, communications, and logs; chair meetings and report to project teams.
• Support claims prevention, contract interpretation, change management, variations.
• Represent Lightsource bp at supplier events; promote strategy while upholding safety and integrity.
• Contribute to process improvements across APAC tendering templates and playbooks.

Skills

Commercial negotiation

Contract drafting

Risk management

Stakeholder management

Project management

Cross‑functional collaboration

Communication

Mandarin (advantageous)

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/Law/Commerce/Quantity Surveying

Professional certification in contracts or commercial management (desirable)

Tools

Standard PM systems

Job description

Senior Tender and Contracts Manager – APAC

Department

Tender and Contracts APAC

Location

APAC – Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane

Reporting to

Head of Tender and Contracts - APAC

About Lightsource bp

We are Lightsource bp, and we’re on a mission to become a global leader in onshore renewables, anchored by our proven track record in solar development.

For over a decade, we have been actively working to diversify the way our world is powered with sustainable and responsible renewable power. We safely deliver affordable, reliable, large-scale onshore renewable energy and energy storage solutions to help the world decarbonise.

Our growing business is constantly innovating and investing to help drive the energy transition. Our people and projects are focused on supporting long-term sustainable growth and energy security.

Lightsource bp operates with five core values: Safety, Integrity, Respect, Sustainability, and Drive.

We seek to attract and hire individuals who share our commitment to creating a safe workplace, uphold the highest standards of integrity, and demonstrate respect for colleagues, communities, and the environment. Our recruitment process promotes sustainability by valuing long-term growth and responsible practices, while seeking candidates with the drive to innovate and lead in the global energy transition.

Together, these values shape how we engage, assess, and welcome talent to join us in delivering transformational solar power solutions worldwide.

Lightsource bp was fully acquired by bp in 2024.

What you’ll do (the role)

Summary

Lead the APAC Tender and Contracts process for large‑scale solar, wind and storage projects from early development through to Notice to Proceed (NTP). Work cross‑functionally to prepare, issue, negotiate, and award contracts that balance cost, risk, schedule, and quality while maintaining strong governance, clarity scope definition, and timely decision to support successful project delivery.

Core Responsibilities

• Lead the pre‑tender process, including drafting and issuing request for quotation (RFQs) and invitation to tenders (ITTs), onboarding new contractors, and coordinating with Development and Engineering.
• Work closely with stakeholders across Development, Technical and Engineering, Legal, Health, Safety and Environment (HSE),Grid and Networks, and Finance to define requirements, resolve technical and commercial queries and align bid evaluation criteria.
• Lead commercial negotiations with preferred bidders and shape contract terms and conditions in line with project requirements and company standards.
• Recommend contract award decisions using robust risk allocation, cost analysis, and value comparisons. Prepare approval papers and secure governance sign‑offs.
• Manage tender schedules, communications, and decision logs; chair weekly and monthly meetings and provide clear reporting to peers and the project teams.
• Support claims prevention and resolution strategies, including advise on contractual interpretation, change management, claims and variations.
• Represent Lightsource bp professionally at supplier and industry events, promote our strategy while uphold our standards of safety, integrity, and respect.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of tendering templates, processes, and playbooks across the APAC region.

Who we’re looking for

Experience & Knowledge Required

• At least 10 years’ experience in the renewable energy and/or construction industry, ideally with EPCs or similar developers/owners.
• Strong understanding of the APAC market, including commercial models, procurement practices, and regional constraints.
• Project management exposure on renewable projects connected to MV and HV networks.
• Proven experience in commercial negotiations, contract closure, and managing claims and variations.
• Demonstrated delivery success and stakeholder management across multi‑disciplinary teams.

Skills Required

• Strong commercial negotiation and contract drafting/review skills, including EPC/ICP/BoP or similar contract structures.
• Excellent ability to identify, assess and mitigate risk with confidence advising senior stakeholders.
• Clear, action – oriented written and verbal communication including confident meeting facilitation.
• Strong planning and organisation skills, with the ability to manage multiple tenders under tight deadlines.
• Effective relationship building skills with EPCs, ICPs, and network service providers (NSPs) at both design and construction levels.
• Strong problem-solving skills, adaptability, and resilience in fast‑moving project environments.
• Proficiency with standard project management systems and construction industry procedures.
• Mandarin language skills are advantageous but not essential, particularly for engagement with regional suppliers and stakeholders

Education Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Law, Commerce, Quantity Surveying, or related field is preferred; or equivalent practical experience in contracts or tendering will also be considered
• Professional certification in contracts or commercial management is desirable
• Regional APAC travel and occasional site visits may be required.
• Flexible working arrangements in line with company policy.

Why you’ll want to work for us

Our company is a place where you can be yourself and grow, a place where your ideas and opinions matter.

Be you

We pride ourselves on being an inclusive community, where every individual is valued and treated with respect.

Be responsible

Our culture is driven by our core values – from operating safely to ensuring our projects are responsible.

Be recognised

Alongside a competitive salary, we offer a variety of benefits include annual bonus, retention bank, health insurance, pension and other local benefits.

Be inspired

Beyond your day-to-day working life at Lightsource bp, there’s a variety of initiatives that will contribute to your own personal development. These include our charitable causes, supporting our solar honey project, or volunteering on our VIBES committee to name a few.

Our core values

Lightsource bp truly cares about creating a sustainable future through safe, responsible and meaningful low carbon energy projects. Our core values of Safety, Integrity, Respect, Sustainability and Drive are the guiding principles for everything we do.

For further information on our career opportunities and life at Lightsource bp, please visit