Senior Contracts Administrator

Downer; City of Brisbane; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Downer benefits

Career development

Zero Harm culture

Flexible working

Inclusive workplace

Unitywater exposure

Job summary

Downer is seeking an experienced Senior Contracts Administrator to support the Unitywater Program within its Energy and Utilities division. You will manage Work Orders, head contracts and subcontracts, providing commercial guidance across the project lifecycle.

You will interpret complex contract terms, manage variations and claims, and ensure governance and reporting requirements are met, while collaborating with cross-functional teams to protect entitlements and drive program success.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification in construction management, business, engineering or related discipline.
• Five+ years of experience in contracts administration or commercial management.
• Strong knowledge of Australian or NZ construction contracts.
• Experience interpreting contract terms, legislation and governance frameworks.
• Experience managing variations, contractual claims, payment processes and contract notices.
• Experience preparing and administering contract and subcontract agreements.
• Sound commercial judgement, financial awareness and risk management.
• Strong negotiation, analytical and prioritisation skills.
• Ability to prepare accurate reports and provide clear recommendations.
• Collaborative communication style and stakeholder relationship skills.
• Ability to deliver quality outcomes in a challenging environment and tight timeframes.
• Initiative, self discipline and professional conduct.

Responsibilities

• Providing commercial leadership across project planning, delivery and closeout.
• Administering Work Orders, head contract obligations and subcontract arrangements.
• Preparing and managing contractual notices, claims, variations and extensions of time.
• Establishing and maintaining change, variation, risk, opportunity and delay registers.
• Supporting payment claims, invoicing, subcontractor assessments and financial reporting.
• Monitoring compliance with contract requirements, time bars and relevant legislation.
• Providing commercial input into project schedules, reports, risk reviews and management plans.
• Managing and resolving commercial issues involving clients, subcontractors and suppliers.
• Supporting accurate project records, governance processes and contract documentation.
• Coaching project team members on commercial, contractual and risk matters.
• Building trusted and collaborative relationships with Unitywater and other program stakeholders.
• Supporting a strong Zero Harm culture and working in accordance with Downer policies and procedures.

Skills

Tertiary education

Contract management

Australian/NZ contracts

Contract terms interpretation

Variations & claims

Contract & subcontract drafting

Commercial judgement

Negotiation & influence

Reporting & recommendations

Stakeholder collaboration

Time management

Initiative & professionalism

Education

Tertiary qualification in construction management, business, engineering or related discipline

Job description

The opportunity

Downer is seeking an experienced Senior Contracts Administrator to join our Energy and Utilities business and support the Unitywater Program. This is a key commercial role with responsibility for the effective management of project related contractual and commercial matters. You will administer assigned Work Orders under the Head Contract Framework Agreement, manage supporting subcontracts, and provide commercial guidance to Contracts Administrators and project delivery teams. Working closely with commercial, delivery, project controls, finance, client, supplier and subcontractor stakeholders, you will help protect contractual entitlements, strengthen commercial performance and support the successful delivery of the program. Your responsibilities will include:

• Providing commercial leadership and advice across project planning, delivery and closeout
• Administering Work Orders, head contract obligations and subcontract arrangements
• Preparing and managing contractual notices, claims, variations and extensions of time
• Establishing and maintaining change, variation, risk, opportunity and delay registers
• Supporting payment claims, invoicing, subcontractor assessments and financial reporting
• Monitoring compliance with contract requirements, time bars and relevant legislation
• Providing commercial input into project schedules, reports, risk reviews and management plans
• Managing and resolving commercial issues involving clients, subcontractors and suppliers
• Supporting accurate project records, governance processes and contract documentation
• Coaching project team members on commercial, contractual and risk matters
• Building trusted and collaborative relationships with Unitywater and other program stakeholders
• Supporting a strong Zero Harm culture and working in accordance with Downer policies and procedures

The Unitywater Program values collaboration and a strong team presence. The role requires attendance at an office or site for a minimum of three days each week, with the remaining two days offering flexibility across home, office or site arrangements. Additional office attendance may occasionally be required to support program needs.

What we're looking for

You will be an experienced commercial or contracts professional who can interpret complex contractual requirements, provide clear advice and influence positive project outcomes.

You will bring:

• A tertiary qualification in construction management, business, engineering, quantity surveying or a related discipline, or recognised industry experience relevant to the position
• At least five years of demonstrated experience in a similar contracts administration or commercial management role
• Strong knowledge of Australian or New Zealand construction contracts
• Experience interpreting and applying contract terms, legislative requirements and commercial governance frameworks
• Demonstrated capability in managing variations, contractual claims, payment processes and contract notices
• Experience preparing and administering contract and subcontract agreements
• Sound commercial judgement, financial awareness and risk management capability
• Strong negotiation, influencing, analytical and prioritisation skills
• The ability to prepare accurate reports and provide clear, concise recommendations
• A collaborative communication style and the ability to build effective relationships with project teams and stakeholders
• The ability to deliver quality outcomes in a challenging environment and within tight timeframes
• A high level of initiative, self discipline and professional conduct

What we offer

• The opportunity to contribute to an important water infrastructure program
• A senior commercial role with exposure across the full project lifecycle
• A collaborative environment focused on building better outcomes together
• Flexible working arrangements aligned with program and operational requirements
• Opportunities to strengthen your commercial leadership capability and support the development of project team members
• Access to Downer benefits, career development opportunities and a broader network of infrastructure professionals
• A workplace committed to Zero Harm, inclusion and the wellbeing of our people

About Energy & Utilities

Downer is a leading provider of integrated services across Australia and New Zealand. Through trusted relationships and world leading insight, we work closely with our customers to design, build and sustain assets, infrastructure and facilities. Our Energy and Utilities business provides essential services across water, power, gas and telecommunications infrastructure. Our teams work with customers and communities to deliver safe, reliable and sustainable infrastructure solutions.

Downer is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels respected, valued and supported. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences.