Commercial & Contract Manager

Nelson City Council; Nelson; Hybrid; NZD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Wellbeing leave

Fully subsidised health insurance

Hybrid working arrangements

Generous leave provisions

Learning and professional development

Employee benefits and discounts

Meaningful projects for community well

Outdoor recreation access

Job summary

Nelson City Council is transforming to become a more customer-focused, data-driven organisation. We seek an experienced commercial or contract management professional to lead frameworks and supplier partnerships across Council programmes, strengthening governance and delivering value-for-money outcomes.

You will work within the Enterprise Programme Management Office to drive commercial decision-making, manage risks, and improve contract performance, collaborating across teams to lift capability

Qualifications

• Experience in a commercial or contract management role.
• Ability to develop contract frameworks, negotiate effectively and manage supplier performance across complex programmes.
• Understanding of contract management and procurement in the New Zealand public sector, including Government Procurement Rules, probity, risk governance and value-for-money principles.
• Comfort using AI-supported analysis to strengthen commercial insight and reporting.
• Ability to influence across the organisation and connect commercial insight with delivery and strategic outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Develop and embed commercial and contract management frameworks across Council programmes.
• Provide oversight of key programme and supplier contracts, including performance, risk and compliance.
• Build strategic supplier relationships that support performance, innovation and long-term value.
• Lead commercial negotiations and procurement strategies to achieve value-for-money outcomes.
• Work alongside the EPMO and project teams to embed commercial best practice and strengthen programme governance.
• Partner across Council to improve commercial capability and contract management practices.

Skills

Commercial acumen

Contract management

Negotiation

Procurement knowledge

AI-assisted analytics

Education

Tertiary qualification in business/commerce/law or related discipline

Job description

We’re looking for a commercially astute professional who can turn strategy into strong supplier partnerships and lasting value.

Shaping our future | Kōmiria te anamata

Our vision for Whakatū Nelson is a creative, prosperous and innovative city. Our community is inclusive, resilient, and connected – we care for each other and our environment.

Nelson City Council is undertaking one of the most significant local government transformations in New Zealand. Through Shaping Our Future, we’re organising ourselves around the people and communities we serve, getting clearer about who does what, and investing in the capability we need for the years ahead. That includes customer experience, data and digital, asset planning, economic development, and contract and programme delivery, to name just a few. We’re also working more closely with iwi, neighbouring councils and other partners to deliver better outcomes for Whakatū Nelson. Our new structure is in place, and we’re now recruiting for the roles that will bring it to life.

This isn’t a one-off change. It’s the foundation for a council that keeps improving, and we’d love you to help build it.

About Nelson City Council | E pā ana ki te Kaunihera o Whakatū

We are Wakatū Nelson, a city where creativity, prosperity, and innovation thrive. Our vision is to foster a community that is inclusive, resilient, and deeply connected. Here we prioritize caring for one another and our city, building a vibrant and supportive place for everyone.

About the role | Kō tēnei tūranga mahi

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced commercial or contract management professional to lead commercial frameworks and supplier partnerships across Council programmes. Working within the Enterprise Programme Management Office, you’ll help strengthen contract management, commercial decision-making and supplier performance, while ensuring a strong focus on governance, risk and value for money.

In this role, you’ll:

• Develop and embed commercial and contract management frameworks across Council programmes
• Provide oversight of key programme and supplier contracts, including performance, risk and compliance
• Build strategic supplier relationships that support performance, innovation and long-term value
• Lead commercial negotiations and procurement strategies to achieve value-for-money outcomes
• Work alongside the EPMO and project teams to embed commercial best practice and strengthen programme governance
• Partner across Council to improve commercial capability and contract management practices.

About you | Ko ngā pūmanawa ō

You’ll bring strong commercial acumen, sound judgement and the ability to navigate complex contracts and supplier relationships. You’re comfortable influencing across an organisation and connecting commercial insight with practical delivery and strategic outcomes.

• A recognised and relevant tertiary qualification in business, commerce, law or a related discipline, or equivalent experience
• Demonstrated experience in a commercial or contract management role
• Strong capability in developing contract frameworks, negotiating effectively and managing supplier performance across complex programmes
• Sound understanding of contract management and procurement in the New Zealand public sector, including Government Procurement Rules, probity, risk management, governance and value-for-money principles
• Confidence using AI-supported analysis to strengthen commercial insight and reporting, with appropriate review and judgement.

What we offer | Ko ngā painga mōu

• Wellbeing leave, platforms and initiatives
• A fully subsidised health insurance scheme
• A flexible workplace including hybrid working arrangements to support work-life balance
• Generous leave provisions
• Learning and professional development opportunities
• Access to various employee benefits and discounts
• Opportunities to contribute to meaningful projects that shape our community's wellbeing and future
• Mountains, beaches and national parks at your doorstep

At Nelson City Council, we are committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace where everyone feels safe, valued, and has a true sense of belonging. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including those from diverse ethnicities and cultures, LGBTQ+ communities, neurodivergent individuals, and people with disabilities. If you require any assistance with your application, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Applications close | Rā whakakapi

Midnight Wednesday 18 November 2026. Applications will be reviewed as they come in, so we encourage you to apply early as the role may close ahead of the advertised date.

For further enquiries | Ina he pātai anō, whakapā mai

Please email enquires to Michael deLautour (Head of Enterprise Programme Management Office) [e-mail].