Contracts Lead_ATF_0323

Job Description

This is a senior contracts management opportunity on a major resources project in Adelaide. You'll manage head contracts and subcontracts across the full project lifecycle, from proposal and award through to execution, claims, and close-out, working closely with the project, commercial, and legal teams.

It's a role with real breadth and visibility. You'll interpret and administer the commercial terms of the contract day to day, engage directly with senior client and joint venture stakeholders, and help shape how the project's contractual position is protected and advanced.

The position is Adelaide based.

What You'd Be Doing

Contract formation and delivery

• Support the business in managing the head contracts, including contract reviews, joint venture and subcontract arrangements, and risk assessments
• Ensure a smooth handover for each stage of the project delivery and support the project team throughout
• Read, understand, and administer the terms of both the head contract and the joint venture agreement

Administration and compliance

• Review project correspondence to protect the contractual position and keep it consistent with the contract terms
• Prepare and review formal correspondence to clients and joint venture partners to ensure compliance with the contract and joint venture agreement
• Keep contract summaries and records up to date to support reporting, audits, claims, and close-out
• Track notice requirements under the contract and ensure timely notices are issued and followed up

Risk, claims, and disputes

• Work with legal, insurance, and commercial teams on commercial and risk issues, and coordinate with Project Directors, Contracts Manager, Project Business Services, and Project Controls
• Support project teams in preparing and negotiating claims
• Support and manage the disputes process alongside the legal and the Prime Contract team
• Coordinate all contract modifications with the Contracts Manager, Business Services Manager, senior management, legal, and the client

Reviews, reporting, and improvement

• Carry out contract reviews and audits to identify risks and improvement opportunities
• Help develop tools and processes that make contract management more efficient
• Report on contract performance and contribute to project completion reporting

Stakeholder engagement

• Build and maintain relationships with senior client, joint venture, and industry contacts
• Analyse issues, forecast potential problems, weigh up options, and recommend a practical way forward
• Manage competing priorities and deadlines across multiple workstreams

Other

• Maintain compliance with all applicable policies, procedures, and standards, and support Health, Safety, Environmental, and Sustainability policies
• Occasional travel may be required for business purposes

Basic Job Requirements

What We're Looking For

Experience (preferred)

• Experience working for or with a Tier 1 mining, resources, or oil and gas company
• A background in major projects, construction, or an in-house legal team
• Familiarity with joint ventures is an advantage, though not essential

Qualifications and skills

• A degree in business and/or law, engineering, construction management, or cost engineering, or equivalent experience
• Strong knowledge of South Australian construction industry practices and the management of contracts and subcontracts
• Experience working in multinational and major project environments
• Hands-on experience across pricing, contract law, construction law, drafting, administration, and negotiating variations and change orders, together with risk identification and mitigation, planning, and scheduling
• Familiarity with the full contracting lifecycle: pre-qualification, tendering, bid evaluation, award, managing contractor performance, back-charges, and resolving claims and disputes
• Proven leadership and teamwork in a collaborative, multinational environment
• Excellent written and verbal communication, with particular strength in formal letter writing
• Strong interpersonal skills, including a proactive approach to following up with stakeholders

A sharp eye for detail and the ability to work in a time-conscious, time-effective manner