Commercial Contracts Specialist
Location:
Melbourne preferred
Work Arrangement:
Office-based initially, transitioning to a hybrid model (approximately 2 days WFH following probation)
Salary:
Up to $150,000 + Superannuation + Performance Bonus
About the Opportunity
An exciting opportunity exists for an experienced Commercial Contracts Specialist to join a growing international engineering and industrial business operating across major infrastructure, mining, water and industrial projects.
Working closely with Project Delivery, Commercial and Leadership teams, you will play a critical role in reviewing, negotiating and managing project contracts while identifying and mitigating commercial risk. This position is suited to a commercially minded contracts professional who enjoys working directly with project stakeholders and delivering practical solutions that support successful project outcomes.
This is a hands-on role where you will become a trusted advisor to project teams, helping navigate complex contractual obligations while maintaining a strong focus on commercial outcomes and risk management.
Key Responsibilities
Contract Review & Risk Management
- Review incoming contracts from contractors and other project stakeholders.
- Assess commercial, contractual and compliance risks and provide practical recommendations.
- Review contract terms, payment schedules, milestone structures and commercial obligations.
- Support the negotiation of contractual terms and commercial deviations.
- Work with suppliers where required to negotiate back-to-back contractual arrangements.
- Review sanctions, compliance and regulatory clauses to ensure contractual obligations are appropriately managed.
Contract Administration & Support
- Support the full contract lifecycle, including contract execution, amendments, renewals and close-out activities.
- Prepare contract summaries and provide clear guidance to project delivery teams regarding contractual obligations and responsibilities.
- Maintain contract repositories, registers and associated documentation.
- Monitor contractual compliance and assist project teams in meeting contractual commitments.
- Support the preparation and management of contract variations and change proposals.
Stakeholder Engagement
- Partner closely with Project Delivery teams to provide commercial contract support throughout project execution.
- Work collaboratively with Procurement, Operations, Engineering, Finance and other internal stakeholders.
- Assist in resolving contractual issues and disputes through practical and commercially focused solutions.
- Build strong working relationships across internal and external project stakeholders.
Process Improvement
- Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives within contract management and commercial processes.
- Support the adoption of systems, tools and technology that improve contract administration efficiency.
- Assist with reporting, analysis and process optimisation activities.
About You
You are a commercially focused contracts professional who enjoys working closely with operational teams and balancing contractual compliance with practical business outcomes.
You will bring:
Experience
- Demonstrated experience reviewing and managing commercial contracts within engineering, industrial, infrastructure, mining, water or related sectors.
- Experience supporting project delivery teams throughout contract negotiation and execution.
- Strong understanding of commercial risk allocation and contract administration principles.
- Experience working with EPC, OEM or complex project-based contracts.
- Exposure to procurement processes and supplier contract management.
Technical Knowledge
- Knowledge of Australian Standard AS/NZS 4911 contracts.
- Understanding of commercial terms and conditions and contract risk management.
- Ability to interpret technical and commercial documentation.
- Experience using contract management, procurement or project management systems.
- Advanced Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel.
Personal Attributes
- Strong commercial judgement and practical problem-solving capability.
- Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills.
- Confident working autonomously and managing competing priorities.
- Results-oriented with strong attention to detail.
- Comfortable operating in a fast-paced project environment.
- Collaborative and approachable, with a strong customer-focused mindset.
Culture & Environment
This is a privately owned business with a strong entrepreneurial spirit and a reputation for moving quickly and making decisions efficiently.
The organisation offers:
- A fast-paced environment with minimal bureaucracy.
- Direct access to decision-makers and senior leaders.
- A practical, outcomes-focused approach to business.
- An informal and collaborative culture with a strong sense of teamwork.
- A workplace that values initiative, accountability and common sense.
- An expectation that employees operate with autonomy and take ownership of their work.
- A culture that prioritises cultural fit, attitude and adaptability alongside technical capability.
The successful candidate will be:
- A self-starter who enjoys taking ownership.
- Commercially minded and solutions-focused.
- Comfortable working directly with project teams.
- Adaptable and proactive.
- Able to build credibility and influence stakeholders across the business.
What's on Offer?
- Salary package up to $150,000 + Superannuation.
- Performance bonus linked to business outcomes.
- Opportunity to work on significant industrial, infrastructure, mining and water projects.
- Direct exposure to senior leaders and project decision-makers.
- Long-term career development within a growing international organisation.
- Flexible working arrangements following onboarding and probation.
