Senior Subcontracts Specialist

Kbr; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work arrangements

Collaborative team environment

Career development and progression

Meaningful Defence/infrastructure work

Job summary

KBR is seeking a Senior Subcontracts Specialist to support major Defence and infrastructure projects in Australia. Based in Adelaide or Melbourne, you will lead subcontract activities, develop strategies, and provide commercial guidance across the lifecycle, from market engagement to close-out.

You will liaise with project teams, procurement, legal and clients to ensure alignment with scope, schedule and budget, while maintaining governance and risk controls across subcontract packages.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification required in a related discipline.
• ACCC/WorldCC or equivalent accreditation highly regarded.
• Australian Citizenship with ability to obtain Defence Security Clearance.
• Extensive subcontract management across full lifecycle including sourcing, tendering, negotiation, award, administration and close-out.
• Strong commercial and contractual expertise to draft, interpret and administer complex subcontract agreements.
• Experience supporting Defence programs or government projects.
• Understanding of governance, risk management and flow-down requirements.
• Proven ability to build and maintain relationships with project teams, subcontractors and clients.
• Experience managing commercial risks, changes, claims, and dispute resolution.

Responsibilities

• Lead subcontract activities from market engagement to close-out.
• Develop strategies aligning subcontracting with project objectives and risk appetite.
• Evaluate proposals, conduct cost and price analysis, document award basis.
• Prepare, negotiate and administer complex subcontract agreements.
• Monitor performance, compliance and commercial obligations.
• Manage variations, claims, EOTs and support with Legal for disputes.
• Collaborate with project managers, procurement and legal to align scope and budget.
• Ensure head contract flow-downs and governance obligations are incorporated.
• Provide commercial advice to leadership on subcontract performance and risk.
• Maintain audit-ready subcontract records in company systems.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of processes and tools.

Skills

Subcontract management

Contract negotiation

Cost analysis

Risk management

Stakeholder management

Governance

Contract compliance

Commercial advisory

Relationship building

Education

Tertiary qualification in Commerce/Business/Law/Procurement/Engineering

Job description

Title:

Senior Subcontracts Specialist

Do you enjoy negotiating complex subcontract arrangements and driving commercial outcomes on high-profile projects?

Are you looking to work across major Defence and infrastructure programs where your expertise can influence project success from strategy through to delivery?

If so, we want to hear from you.

As KBR's Infrastructure Solutions Australia business continues to grow, particularly across our Defence and critical infrastructure portfolio, we are seeking an experienced Senior Subcontracts Specialist to support the successful delivery of major projects and proposals. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in managing complex subcontract relationships, mitigating commercial risk, and ensuring project outcomes are achieved through effective subcontract strategies and governance.

This position can be based from either our Adelaide or Melbourne office.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead subcontract activities across the full subcontract lifecycle, from market engagement, supplier prequalification and tendering through to negotiation, award, administration and close-out.
• Develop and implement subcontracting strategies that align with project objectives, commercial requirements and risk appetite, and identify and mitigate commercial, contractual and delivery risks associated with each subcontract package.
• Evaluate proposals and conduct cost and price analysis to achieve value for money, and document the basis of award.
• Prepare, negotiate and administer complex subcontract agreements, ensuring appropriate commercial and contractual protections are in place.
• Monitor subcontractor performance, compliance, deliverables and commercial obligations throughout project execution.
• Manage subcontract variations, claims and extensions of time and support dispute resolution activities in conjunction with Legal.
• Work closely with project managers, commercial teams, procurement specialists, legal and technical stakeholders to ensure subcontract packages align with scope, schedule and budget.
• Ensure head contract flow-down obligations, customer requirements and company governance requirements are incorporated into subcontract arrangements.
• Provide commercial advice and recommendations to project leadership teams regarding subcontract performance and risk management.
• Maintain accurate, audit-ready subcontract records and documentation in company systems.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of subcontract management processes, tools and best practices.

Skills & Experience Required

• Tertiary qualifications in Commerce, Business, Law, Procurement, Engineering or a related discipline.
• Professional accreditation through CIPS, WorldCC or equivalent will be highly regarded.
• Australian Citizenship with the ability to obtain and maintain a Defence Security Clearance.
• Extensive subcontract management experience across the full subcontract lifecycle, including sourcing, tendering, negotiation, award, administration, performance management and close-out.
• Strong commercial and contractual expertise, with demonstrated ability to negotiate, draft, interpret and administer complex subcontract agreements.
• Experience supporting major Defence programs, government projects, or other highly regulated environments.
• Strong understanding of contractual compliance, governance frameworks, risk management and contractual flow-down requirements.
• Proven ability to build and maintain effective relationships with project teams, subcontractors, technical specialists and client representatives.
• Experience managing commercial risks, subcontractor performance issues, contract changes, claims, variations and dispute resolution activities.
• Excellent analytical, communication and problem-solving skills with the ability to provide clear commercial recommendations to stakeholders.
• Experience supporting major Defence and/or infrastructure projects will be highly regarded.

Why join KBR

Our KBR Values - We Value Our People, We Deliver, We Are People of Integrity, We Empower, We Are a Team of Teams - embody our people-centric organisation.

At KBR, we don't just talk about culture, we live it.

• Work on some of Australia's most significant Defence and infrastructure programs.
• Partner with highly experienced commercial, procurement and project delivery professionals.
• Be part of a collaborative environment where your expertise and contributions are valued.
• Access opportunities for career development, leadership growth and technical advancement across our Australian and global business.

What We Offer

• Flexible work arrangements that support your lifestyle and wellbeing.
• A supportive and collaborative team environment.
• Meaningful projects that contribute to Australia's Defence and national infrastructure objectives.
• Ongoing professional development and career progression opportunities.
• The opportunity to influence major project outcomes while working alongside industry-leading professionals.

Ready to take ownership of complex subcontract portfolios and help deliver critical projects across Australia?

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