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.