Senior Governance & Contract Advisor

Kaizen Recruitment; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Victorian Funds Management Corporation (VFMC) in Melbourne is seeking a contract governance and procurement specialist. This 12-month fixed-term role supports the Legal - Corporate & Corporation Secretariat and the Head of Finance with procurement governance, contract administration and reporting across suppliers and governance bodies.

You will maintain the supplier contract register, advise on approvals, and contribute to policy guidance and assurance programs, while enhancing procurement

Qualifications

• Experience coordinating procurement governance, contract management and risk/compliance activities.
• Ability to develop and maintain procurement documentation and policy guidance.
• Strong written and verbal communication for reports, business papers and stakeholder guidance.

Responsibilities

• Oversee supplier contracts and procurement records, ensuring accuracy and up-to-date information.
• Manage end-to-end purchasing processes, including supplier identification, evaluations, approvals and contracts.
• Advise stakeholders on governance requirements, delegated authorities and approval pathways.
• Develop procurement documentation, procedures and governance reporting to support audits.
• Support contract governance practices, supplier relationship management and renewal activities.
• Identify and communicate contract-related risks and performance outcomes to stakeholders.
• Produce governance papers, briefing notes and committee submissions for decision-making.
• Coordinate board/committee governance activities and document delegations.
• Provide education and ongoing support on procurement and governance frameworks.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Procurement governance

Contract administration

Records management

Reporting

MS Office

Xakia

Diligent

Education

Tertiary qualification in procurement or related field

Tools

Xakia

Diligent

Job description

12-month Fixed-Term Contract | Melbourne-based

About the Company: Victorian Funds Management Corporation (VFMC) is a public authority responsible for investing for the benefit of Victorians on behalf of the State of Victoria. VFMC manages funds of over $99 billion for 32 Victorian public authorities and related organisations across insurance, superannuation, health, arts, education, and service agencies.

VFMC is a diverse and collaborative team united by a single purpose: investing for Victoria's future.

About the role: This newly created contract position sits within the Legal - Corporate & Corporation Secretariat team, reporting directly to the Head of Legal and also closely supporting the Head of Finance - Corporate with procurement-related responsibilities. Candidates must be based in Victoria. This role will support VFMC with effective contract administration, procurement processes and corporate governance. It maintains the organisation's supplier contract register, supports the Corporation Secretariat, including board and committee reporting and provides practical advice on procurement policy, delegations and approval requirements. This is a unique opportunity to combine strong corporate governance and reporting analysis with procurement advisory and contracts management practices in an organisation that has a meaningful impact on the long-term financial future of Victoria.

Key responsibilities:

• Oversee the organisation’s supplier agreements database, ensuring contract information, supporting records and documentation remain complete and up to date;
• Manage end-to-end purchasing processes, including supplier identification, commercial evaluation, approvals, tender activities and contract establishment;
• Advise stakeholders on procurement governance requirements, delegated authorities and approval pathways to ensure compliance with organisational standards;
• Develop, review and maintain procurement documentation, operational procedures and reporting mechanisms to strengthen governance and support audit requirements;
• Assist in embedding contract governance practices by supporting contract planning, supplier relationship management, performance monitoring and renewal activities;
• Identify, assess and communicate contract-related risks, supplier issues, amendments, performance outcomes and other key contractual obligations;
• Produce management reports, briefing notes, governance papers and committee submissions to support decision‑making and oversight functions;
• Administer governance records by documenting decisions, monitoring follow‑up actions and supporting assurance, compliance and audit programs;
• Coordinate Board and committee governance activities, including meeting logistics, maintenance of delegations and management of conflict‑of‑interest declarations; and
• Deliver advice, education and ongoing support to stakeholders on procurement and governance frameworks while contributing to process optimisation and capability uplift initiatives.

Technical Skills & Qualifications required include:

• Demonstrated ability to coordinate competing work demands, build effective stakeholder relationships and consistently deliver outcomes within agreed timeframes;
• Strong focus on accuracy and detail when maintaining records, managing documentation and handling information systems;
• Well-developed understanding of procurement governance frameworks, contract administration practices and approval workflows;
• Capability to interpret and evaluate contractual, supplier and risk-related data to support operational and strategic decisions;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the preparation of concise reports, business papers and stakeholder guidance materials;
• Proven ability to exercise sound judgement when assessing, mitigating and escalating governance, compliance and commercial risks;
• Collaborative and customer-focused approach, with a commitment to building productive relationships and delivering responsive support services;
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and experience using contract management, records management and reporting platforms;
• Tertiary qualifications and/or relevant professional experience in procurement, governance, contract management, risk management, compliance or a related field; and
• Practical experience supporting contract management activities, procurement programs, governance reporting, audit processes and regulated business environments, with exposure to Xakia and Diligent considered advantageous.