Senior Director, Commercial and Contracts

ACT; Canberra; On-site; AUD 172,000 - 191,000; Full time

Job summary

ACT is seeking a Senior Director, Commercial and Contracts in Canberra to lead contract management, commercial negotiations, contract assurance and stakeholder engagement for the Light Rail PPP. You will guide financial and contractual decision-making, provide strategic advice to senior executives, and drive value for the ACT community.

The role requires extensive experience in complex negotiations, governance, and leading high‑performing teams, with a focus on accountability and service

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in contract and commercial management.
• Strong negotiation and dispute resolution skills.
• Ability to provide high‑quality strategic advice to senior decision‑makers.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead contract management, commercial negotiations, contract assurance activities, and stakeholder engagement for PPP/light rail arrangements.
• Provide leadership on commercial, contractual and financial matters related to light rail delivery.
• Ensure contractor performance assurance and manage complex negotiations with cross‑government and industry partners.
• Support governance and delivery of strategic objectives for Transport Canberra and ACT regions.

Skills

Contract management

Commercial management

Negotiation

Strategic advisory

Stakeholder engagement

Leadership

Governance

Dispute resolution

Education

Postgraduate qualifications in contract management / engineering / law

Job description

Closes: 15 October 2026
Classification: Senior Officer Grade A/Infrastructure Manager/Specialist 1
Salary: $172,246 - $191,177 plus superannuation
Position No: 41124
Directorate: City and Environment
Advertised (Gazettal date): 24 September 2026
Contact Officer: Madeleine Taylor on [e-mail] or [phone]
Details: Do you have extensive experience leading complex commercial and contractual arrangements and want to play a key role in one of Canberra's most significant transport infrastructure partnerships?
Transport Canberra is seeking a highly motivated and strategic Senior Director, Commercial and Contracts to join the Light Rail Operations Branch. This is a unique opportunity to influence the ongoing success of Canberra's light rail network by leading contract management, commercial negotiations, contract assurance activities, and strategic stakeholder engagement associated with the Territory's Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangements.
Reporting to the Executive Branch Manager, Light Rail Operations, you will provide leadership on commercial, contractual, and financial matters relating to the delivery of light rail services. You will provide assurance on contractor performance, manage complex negotiations and multifaceted stakeholder relationships, provide strategic advice to senior executives and government stakeholders, and identify opportunities to drive value and improve outcomes for the ACT community.
Working closely with Canberra Metro, Canberra Metro Operations (CMET), industry partners, and stakeholders across government, you will foster collaborative relationships while maintaining a strong focus on accountability, service delivery, and governance. The role also provides leadership and support to a small, high-performing team and contributes to delivery against the broader strategic objectives of Transport Canberra.
We are looking for an experienced leader with demonstrated expertise in commercial and contract management, complex negotiations, stakeholder engagement and strategic problem-solving. Experience managing Public Private Partnerships (PPPs), franchise arrangements or performance-based contracts within transport, infrastructure or other complex operational environments will be highly regarded.

To Be Successful In This Role, You Will Bring

• Extensive experience in contract and commercial management.
• Strong negotiation and dispute resolution skills.
• The ability to provide high-quality strategic advice to senior decision-makers.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proven leadership capability and experience developing high-performing teams.
• A commitment to collaboration, customer service excellence and the ACT Public Service Values and Signature Behaviours.

The successful applicant may be appointed at the Senior Officer Grade A (SOGA) or Infrastructure Manager Level 1 (IM1) classification, subject to their qualifications, professional background and demonstrated experience.
We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where people with diverse thoughts, lived experience, and perspectives can thrive and contribute their unique talents to the ACTPS and ACT community. We encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, people with culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, veterans, younger and older workers, and people with diverse genders, sexes and sexualities to apply.

Eligibility/Other Requirements

• This position requires a Working with Vulnerable People Check and may require a pre-employment Rail Worker Health Assessment Category 3. For further information on Working with Vulnerable People registration refer to - Apply for or renew a WWVP registration - Access Canberra
• Post graduate qualifications or higher education in contract management, engineering or law are highly desirable.
• The incumbent in this position may be required to participate in drug and/or alcohol testing in accordance with Rail Safety National Law.

Note: A Merit Pool will be established from this selection process and will be used to fill vacancies over the next 12 months.
Note: Under the ACTPS employment framework you may be placed in another role where required for the efficient administration of the service. The ACT public service is committed to closing the gap, underpinned by the belief that when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have a genuine say in the design and delivery of policies, programs and services that affect them, better life outcomes are achieved. More information can be found here ACT Closing the Gap Implementation Plan - ACT Government Transparency Portal.