Contracts Lead - Senior Manager

PwC; Auckland; On-site; NZD 160,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary bonus

Referral bonuses

Retail discounts

Wellbeing allowance

Life & income protection

Sick leave 15 days

Health insurance

Paid parental leave

Volunteering leave

Job summary

PwC New Zealand is seeking a Senior Manager to lead contract governance for transformation engagements. You will oversee Statements of Work, changes and commercial risk, working with PwC leaders, clients and delivery partners to structure and approve engagements.

Strong negotiation, risk and stakeholder management are essential for this role. You will coordinate with PMO and risk teams, ensuring pricing, scope and commercial cover align with client needs and PwC commitments while maintaining

Qualifications

• 5+ years’ experience in a relevant role.
• Strong experience interpreting contracts and preparing Statements of Work, change requests, variations and related commercial documentation.
• Comfort with Master Services Agreements and applying terms to programme delivery, dependencies and risk.
• Mature stakeholder management, with senior leaders, procurement, delivery stakeholders and partners.
• Clear written and verbal communication of complex issues and recommendations.

Responsibilities

• Shape commercial approaches for complex client engagements with senior PwC leaders.
• Develop and negotiate Statements of Work and change requests under client Master Services Agreements.
• Lead approval processes for new and amended engagements (commercial, partner, risk-panel, OGC).
• Advise on contractual obligations, dependencies and commercial risk.
• Coordinate subcontractor and inter-firm arrangements and translate positions into agreements.
• Support governance, status reporting and resolution of commercial or contractual issues.

Skills

Contract management

Commercial negotiation

Stakeholder management

Risk management

SOW preparation

Contractual obligations

Communication

Education

Commercial/Contract management qualification

Job description

Management Level

Senior Manager

Job Description & Summary

As an organisation strategy generalist at PwC, you will possess a broad understanding of various aspects of organisation strategy. You will provide a comprehensive guidance and support to clients in developing and implementing strategic initiatives to optimise organisational performance. Working in this area, you will analyse client needs, design organisational strategies, and offer recommendations tailored to specific business requirements.

Kia ora,

At PwC, our purpose is clear: to build trust in society and solve important problems.

This is a place to keep growing. You’ll learn from the best, take on meaningful challenges, and make a lasting impact for our clients, our communities, and Aotearoa.

PwC’s Advisory line of service provides insights, services and advice to solve our clients’ biggest problems. We work across a range of industries in both the public and private sectors, alongside our Deals, Risk Services and Managed Services practices, offering a broad range of capabilities to help clients transform their businesses and maximise opportunities. This may involve strategy planning, aligning costs, rethinking human capital, optimising technology, managing digital change, or refining operations and systems.

As a Contracts Lead, you will oversee the commercial and contractual aspects of PwC’s transformation work with clients, connecting programme delivery, PwC leadership, clients, delivery partners and internal risk teams to ensure work is appropriately structured, approved and delivered in line with PwC’s commitments.

You will develop and negotiate Statements of Work and change requests, lead commercial, partner, risk-panel and OGC approvals, advise on contractual obligations and commercial risk, coordinate subcontractor and inter-firm arrangements, support governance, resourcing and status reporting, and resolve commercial issues. Budgeting and invoicing remain with the PMO.

Your day-to-day could include:

• Partnering with senior PwC leaders and programme teams to shape commercial approaches for complex client engagements.
• Developing, reviewing and negotiating Statements of Work, change requests and variations under relevant client Master Services Agreements.
• Leading commercial, partner, risk-panel and OGC approval processes for new and amended engagements.
• Advising senior stakeholders on contractual obligations, dependencies, commercial risk and practical options to support delivery.
• Coordinating subcontractor, delivery partner and inter-firm arrangements, including translating agreed client positions into appropriate agreements.
• Supporting governance forums, commercial status reporting and the resolution of commercial or contractual issues as they arise.
• Working closely with PMO and resourcing teams on inputs that affect pricing, scope and commercial cover, noting budgeting and invoicing sit with the PMO.

Ngā pūkenga ka kawea mai e koe, ka whakawhanakehia rānei i tēnei tūranga / Skills you will bring or develop in this role

• 5+ years’ experience in a relevant role, ideally within a professional services organisation or legal firm.
• Strong practical experience interpreting contracts and preparing Statements of Work, change requests, variations and related commercial documentation.
• Confidence working within Master Services Agreements and applying contractual terms to programme delivery, dependencies and commercial risk.
• Mature stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to partner with senior leaders, client procurement teams, delivery stakeholders and external partners.
• Sound commercial judgement and the ability to turn scope, delivery and risk considerations into clear contractual and commercial positions.
• Ability to coordinate across delivery teams, internal risk and legal functions, subcontractors, global network firms and client stakeholders.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex issues and recommendations in a focused, practical way.
• A relevant commercial, contract management, legal or related tertiary qualification, or equivalent practical experience is desirable.
• Legal experience or admission as a lawyer may be advantageous where combined with strong commercial judgement and an understanding of the distinction between commercial management and legal advice.

Ngā āhuatanga hirahira o te mahi ki PwC / Highlights of working at PwC NZ

• Rewards - Discretionary bonus opportunities; generous referral bonuses; retail discounts & deals
• Growth - Global network; leadership development; A.I. tools and training; formal learning pathways
• Wellbeing - $250 annual wellbeing allowance; Life & income protection; Sonder/EAP/Headspace; 15 days’ paid sick leave; group-rate health insurance (eligibility applies)
• Reputation - PwC is known for shaping tomorrow. Join us and you’ll accelerate your career while helping clients and communities solve their most important problems.
• Flexibility - Flexible working; supportive coaching culture
• Time off - Two paid recognition days off provided each year during our annual summer shutdown period; purchase up to two extra weeks’ annual leave
• Whānau & community - Paid parental leave for all parents with flexible options and financial planning support; inclusive networks; paid volunteering leave

Mō te aha tāu e tatari ana? / What are you waiting for?

Grow here. Go further.

Ngā whakautu ki o pātai / Your questions answered

Motuhake / Independence: Maintaining independence is fundamental to demonstrating that PwC has not been influenced by any relationships or situations that undermine our objectivity. This role requires an independence review process.

Nau mai ngā tono wawe / We encourage early applications: This role may close before the listed date if we identify a suitable candidate.

Atamai hangahanga / A.I. usage: Please note that secure, A.I.-enabled tools may support parts of our recruitment process, but all applications are reviewed and decisions made by our people.

Travel Requirements

Not Specified

Available for Work Visa Sponsorship?

Yes