Title: Contracts Manager
Spotswood, VIC, AU, 3015
About John Holland
At John Holland, our purpose is simple – we transform lives with everything we do. We’ve always known that infrastructure is about people — our customers, our employees, and the communities in which we work every day.
That’s our difference. Deep experience and capability with a genuine care about creating better lives for people along the way.
Be part of the team that’s up for the challenge of transforming lives for good.
About the Project
John Holland is progressing the development of Stage 1A of the multi-stage Beveridge Intermodal Freight Terminal project (BIP), a pivotal development set to transform the logistics landscape in Victoria, Australia.
This initial phase marks the beginning of a journey towards creating a state-of-the-art facility that will streamline the movement of goods across the nation and beyond.
Strategically located to harness the full potential of its proximity to key transport links, it is poised to deliver unparalleled efficiencies in the distribution of freight. With the latest advancements in logistics technology at its core, Stage 1A lays the groundwork for a hub of innovation, ensuring that cargo is moved with unprecedented speed and precision.
With John Holland's proven track record and meticulous approach, Stage 1A of the project is a testament to the company's dedication to excellence. As the project progresses, each subsequent stage will build upon the last, culminating in a world-class intermodal freight terminal that will serve as a cornerstone for Australia's future in global trade.
About the Role / Are you up for the challenge?
The Contracts Manager will play a critical role in the commercial delivery of the Beveridge Intermodal Project, providing end‑to‑end contract and commercial management across the project lifecycle.
Working closely with the Project Director, construction teams, clients and supply chain partners, the role is responsible for administering head contracts and subcontract agreements, managing commercial risk, driving cost and value outcomes, and ensuring contractual compliance.
Responsibilities of the role include / What you will do;
- Direct and manage all cost engineering activities, including cost control, reporting and forecasting.
- Ensure the establishment and ongoing maintenance of a comprehensive subcontractor register, capturing all key data relevant to each subcontract.
- Ensure all selected subcontractors and suppliers are suitably qualified, compliant and acceptable to the project.
- Lead and conduct negotiations with subcontractors, ensuring all subcontract agreements are appropriately aligned with the project’s risk management principles.
- Oversee the procurement process for all subcontract and supply agreements, ensuring packages are awarded on time and within approved budgets.
- Oversee the calling of quotations and letting of tenders for contracts, and ensure effective contract administration in conjunction with operations personnel and contract administrators.
- Interpret and apply relevant legislation, codes and contractual obligations to minimise potential commercial and business exposure.
- Lead the identification and quantification of Head Contract scope changes, including managing all subsequent negotiations with the Client.
- Manage disputes and major claims with subcontractors and/or the Client as required.
- Oversee the preparation of monthly progress claims for work completed and approve disputed progress payments to subcontractors, as escalated by contract administrators.
- Stakeholder Management: Ensure key stakeholders are actively engaged and that strong, productive relationships are developed and maintained with the Client, subcontractors, community and other external parties.
- People Management: Monitor staff and labour resourcing to ensure the project has the capability to meet its targets. Supervise the workforce, including subcontractors, and foster a high‑performance team within a positive employee relations environment.
- Financial Management: Ensure strong contract, commercial and financial risk management, deliver accurate cost and revenue forecasting, take corrective action in line with John Holland’s authority and reporting frameworks, and maximise project profitability.
- Perform all duties in accordance with John Holland policies, processes, systems and procedures.
To be successful in this key role, you must have / What we are looking for;
Qualifications
Essential
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Law, Commerce, Accounting, Quantity Surveying, Business, or a related discipline.
Desirable
- Qualification in Construction Management or equivalent.
- CA or CPA qualification.
- Postgraduate qualification in Law, Commerce, Accounting, Quantity Surveying, Business, or a related discipline.
Experience
Essential
- 5–10 years of relevant commercial experience within the construction and engineering industry.
- Demonstrated experience in the contractual management of projects of varying values and complexity.
- Proven capability in negotiating contractual terms, variations and progress claims.
- Demonstrated application of Corporate Limits of Liability and adherence to established contractual and commercial systems, processes and procedures.
- Intermediate to advanced proficiency in relevant software packages, including the Microsoft Office Suite (particularly Excel), and exposure to a contract management system (CMS/CRM).
Desirable
- 2–5 years’ experience working in a Contracts Manager role within the construction and engineering industry.
- Experience in the contractual management of design providers and consultants.
What's in it for you
We’re about connecting your sense of purpose to ours. We understand that your career is one of the biggest ways to have an impact on the world. We also believe in supporting you as a whole person, not just an employee.
We reward and support our people in so many ways. This starts with being flexible about how different people like to work. From generous leave policies to wellbeing and relationship support, your needs sit at the heart of our employee benefits.
We Offer:
- Competitive remuneration with salary continuance, and salary sacrifice options.
- Great leave benefits including 18 weeks paid parental leave with super and up to an extra 18 weeks of super paid on further periods of unpaid parental leave, multicultural leave exchange and two extra days to prioritise your wellbeing.
- Career progression underpinned by our exciting pipeline of work means you’ll have the opportunity to work on iconic projects that are shaping cities and communities.
- Learning and development opportunities where you’ll have access to emerging talent programs, building your career through clear career pathways, plus technical and leadership training and development opportunities.
- Inclusion, diversity and equity is part of how we work. We want everyone at John Holland to feel that they belong – that’s why we’re working hard every day to foster a more inclusive culture, backed by a business-wide inclusion strategy to bring about meaningful change. We’ve also got active employee resource groups that support our commitments including those around gender equality and reconciliation.
- Flexible working that works for you as we know flexibility means different things to different people. Whether it’s flexi-hours, flexi-parenting, flexi-leave, flexi-shifts or flexi-work, we’re committed to helping our people work flexibly.
Job Segment:
Facilities, Logistics, Supply Chain Manager, Supply Chain, Engineer, Operations, Engineering