Senior Open Space Contract Director – Port Phillip

Green By Nature; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Green by Nature is seeking an experienced Contract Director to lead the City of Port Phillip Open Space contract. This senior role combines strategic direction, commercial accountability, and operational oversight to deliver safe, high-quality grounds maintenance and landscape services.

Reporting to the Regional Manager, you will build a high-performing contract management team, strengthen client relationships with council stakeholders, and drive continuous improvement across programmed and

Qualifications

• Experience leading large contract teams in open space, infrastructure or facilities management.
• Proven track record of managing budgets, forecasts and pricing.
• Strong stakeholder and senior client relationship management.
• Ability to shape service delivery and drive continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Lead the contract management team for the City of Port Phillip Open Space contract.
• Develop partnerships with council stakeholders and manage KPIs and escalations.
• Oversee scoping, estimating and pricing of variations and improvements.
• Coach the leadership team and foster accountability, collaboration and care.
• Ensure safe, high-quality services and effective risk management.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Contract management

Open space management

Budgeting & forecasting

Client relationship management

Negotiation

Problem solving

Education

Tertiary qualifications

Job description

Contract Director - City of Port Phillip

• Lead a significant open space contract across the City of Port Phillip
• Shape client partnerships, commercial performance and service delivery
• Develop a strong leadership team and make a visible community impact

About the role

Help shape the green spaces that communities enjoy every day.

Green by Nature is seeking an experienced Contract Director to lead our City of Port Phillip Open Space contract. This senior leadership role brings together strategic direction, commercial accountability and operational oversight to deliver safe, high-quality services.

Reporting to the Regional Manager, you will lead the contract management team, working closely with the Client Account Manager and Operations Manager to strengthen client relationships, achieve contractual outcomes and drive continuous improvement.

What you’ll lead

• Client partnerships: Build trusted relationships with senior Council stakeholders and lead key performance discussions and escalations.
• Commercial performance: Own budgets, forecasts and profitability, managing costs, risks and opportunities.
• Contract delivery: Ensure services meet agreed specifications, KPIs and quality standards across programmed and reactive works.
• Additional works and value: Oversee scoping, estimating and pricing of variations, and demonstrate the value of improvement initiatives.
• People and culture: Coach your leadership team, build capability and create a culture of accountability, collaboration and care.
• Safety and sustainability: Champion safe work practices, environmental responsibility and effective risk management.

What you’ll bring

You’re an experienced leader who can balance strategic priorities with the practical demands of a complex service contract. You build strong relationships, make sound commercial decisions and support teams to deliver.

You’ll have:

• Significant leadership experience in contract management, open space, infrastructure, facilities management or a comparable service environment.
• A track record of managing complex contracts and multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong financial and commercial capability, including budgeting, forecasting, estimating and pricing.
• Experience managing senior client relationships, contract performance and risk.
• Clear communication, negotiation and problem-solving skills.

Experience with local government or public-sector contracts and relevant tertiary qualifications will be highly regarded.

Why Green by Nature?

Our work connects people with the outdoors through the care of landscapes, sporting fields and community green spaces across Australia and New Zealand.

Guided by our values of Accountability, Bravery and Care, you’ll have the opportunity to influence contract direction, develop your team and deliver lasting value for the City of Port Phillip community.