Snr Contracts Manager / Commercial Manager

Buildability Group; Sydney; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Buildability Group is seeking a Senior Contracts Manager / Commercial Manager to lead advanced contract administration on high-value, complex projects across multiple sectors in Australia. You will work autonomously with project teams and senior stakeholders to manage head contracts, variations, notices, and claims.

Ideal candidates have 12+ years in senior contracts roles, with at least 5 years in Australia, and proven experience in building, commercial, industrial, or major construction.

Qualifications

• 12+ years’ experience in senior contracts/ commercial roles.
• Minimum 5 years' Australia-based experience.
• Experience in building, commercial, industrial or major construction sectors.
• Autonomous, accountable, and able to lead commercial functions.
• Experience with high-value head contracts (> $250m) desirable.
• Strong contract administration, risk management and commercial controls.
• Proficient with tendering and procurement processes.
• Experience with CHEOPS, Jobpac, ProcurePro, Excel, Bluebeam.

Responsibilities

• Lead advanced contract administration and commercial management across major projects.
• Manage client/head contract negotiations on scope, variations, and notices.
• Oversee subcontractor negotiations, claims, variations, and agreements.
• Oversee procurement activities: tender prep, scope, analysis, negotiations, budgeting.
• Prepare and review subcontract packages for commercial alignment.
• Assess subcontractor claims and cost valuation methodologies.
• Manage subcontract packages from procurement to final account.
• Support monthly valuations, cost reporting, forecasting and reviews.
• Conduct site reviews, progress claims, and commercial evaluations.
• Identify and mitigate commercial risks across the lifecycle.
• Monitor design changes and assess cost impacts and variations.
• Prepare variations, claims, notices, and commercial correspondence.
• Provide accurate commercial reporting to stakeholders.
• Drive cost control, forecasting accuracy and risk management.
• Review project documentation for scope and contractual clarity.
• Ensure timely subcontractor engagement and delivery within budgets.

Skills

Leadership

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Autonomy

Risk management

Contract administration

Cost control

Tendering

Excel

Education

Quantity Surveying

Construction Management

Law

Tools

CHEOPS

Jobpac

ProcurePro

Microsoft Office

Bluebeam Revu

CostX

Cubit

Job description

Senior Contracts Manager / Commercial Manager – Leading Construction Projects

About the Opportunity

Our client provides specialist commercial support services to leading Tier 1 and Tier 2 contractors, developers, and major subcontractors across Australia’s construction industry.

Due to continued growth, we are seeking an experienced Senior Contracts Manager / Commercial Manager to join a high-performing commercial team supporting the delivery of high-value, complex projects across multiple sectors.

This is an outstanding opportunity for a commercially astute construction professional who enjoys autonomy, ownership, and the opportunity to influence project outcomes. You will be trusted to lead key commercial functions, manage complex contractual matters, and work closely with senior stakeholders across major developments.

The Ideal Candidate

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• 12+ years’ demonstrated experience as a Senior Contracts Administrator, Contracts Manager, or Commercial Manager, including a minimum of 5 years’ experience gained in Australia
• Extensive experience in senior commercial roles within the building, commercial, industrial, and/or major construction sectors
• Proven ability to independently manage commercial functions with a high level of autonomy and accountability
• Experience delivering or supporting high-value projects, with head contracts exceeding $250m highly desirable
• Exposure to Data Centre projects advantageous, though not essential
• Advanced knowledge of contract administration, contractual obligations, risk management, and commercial controls
• Demonstrated experience managing head contracts, including variations, notices, extensions of time, claims, and contractual modifications
• Strong capability in assessing, negotiating, and valuing variations and claims using sound commercial principles
• Experience managing procurement processes, including developing project-specific scopes of work and leading tender processes
• Strong leadership, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills
• Advanced proficiency in relevant construction software, including CHEOPS, Jobpac, ProcurePro, Microsoft Office Suite (particularly Excel), and Bluebeam Revu
• Experience with CostX or Cubit would be advantageous
• A degree in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Law, or a related discipline is desirable but not essential

Key Responsibilities

Working autonomously while collaborating with project teams and senior stakeholders, you will be responsible for:

• Leading advanced contract administration and commercial management activities across major projects
• Managing client/head contract negotiations relating to scope, variations, contractual obligations, and commercial outcomes
• Managing subcontractor negotiations, claims, variations, and commercial agreements
• Overseeing procurement activities, including tender preparation, scope development, tender analysis, negotiations, recommendations, and budget management
• Preparing and reviewing subcontract packages, ensuring commercial alignment and successful project delivery
• Assessing subcontractor claims and applying first-principles cost valuation methodologies
• Managing subcontract packages from procurement through to final account
• Supporting monthly valuations, cost reporting, forecasting, and financial reviews
• Conducting site reviews, progress claim assessments, and commercial evaluations
• Identifying, managing, and mitigating commercial risks throughout the project lifecycle
• Monitoring design changes and assessing cost impacts, contractual implications, and variation opportunities
• Preparing variations, claims, contractual notices, and commercial correspondence
• Supporting project reviews and providing accurate commercial reporting to key stakeholders
• Ensuring effective cost control, forecasting accuracy, and proactive management of potential risks and overruns
• Reviewing project documentation to ensure clear understanding of scope, obligations, and contractual requirements
• Driving effective subcontractor engagement and ensuring delivery within agreed timeframes and budgets
• Implementing robust contract and change management strategies to minimise commercial exposure and maximise project outcomes

Why This Opportunity?

This role offers the opportunity to work on high-profile, high-value projects across diverse sectors, while enjoying the autonomy and trust to make commercial decisions, influence outcomes, and deliver meaningful results.

You will join an experienced team where your expertise is valued, your input is recognised, and your ability to drive successful project outcomes will have a direct impact.

If you are a senior commercial professional seeking a role with genuine ownership, complexity, and career opportunity, we would welcome the opportunity to discuss this position with you.