About

We are partnering with a specialist consulting, engineering and services firm that partners with leading organisations in defence, mining, and highly regulated industries. Our client relies on us to provide expert guidance on complex customer and supplier contracts, ensuring compliance with export control, supplier and customer agreements including but not limited to defence-specific requirements. A large, multi-national corporation with a large presence in Australia, this organisation is on a growth journey to secure new contracts and relies on the commercial team to advise and support through negotiation and commercial strategy on these engagements.

Their mission is to help organisations navigate high-stakes environments with confidence — supporting commercial decision-making, contract governance, and regulatory compliance across some of the most advanced programs in the world.

The Opportunity

We are seeking a Commercial Contracts Manager to join their team and act as a trusted internal advisor on a diverse range of customer and supplier agreements within defence, mining and infrastructure sectors. You will play a key role in reviewing, negotiating, and managing contracts, focusing on both commercial outcomes and contractual risk. Working closely with internal stakeholders, you will ensure that contracts are aligned to business needs and compliant with critical regulatory obligations whilst bringing a commercial lens to the risks involved.

This role is in-house and consultative — you will primarily engage internal teams across engineering, finance and operations as well as external legal counsel, without direct negotiation with customers or suppliers.

What You'll Do

• Review, negotiate, and manage a wide range of customer and supplier contracts, focusing on commercial terms and legal risks.
• Interpret and advise on key terms and conditions, including liquidated damages, indemnities, and other complex clauses from both commercial and legal perspectives.
• Consult with internal stakeholders (e.g., Finance, Sales, Operations, Executive) on contract-related matters, providing practical, risk-aware guidance.
• Work with external legal counsel on specialist matters, including litigation or complex contractual advice.
• Manage flow-down of ITAR, export controls, and defence-related clauses to subcontractors and suppliers.
• Establish and maintain contract management processes and systems, including contract lifecycle tracking (expiry, renewals, obligations).
• Lead and monitor internal contract governance, ensuring robust controls and alignment with business strategy.

What You'll Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Law, Commerce, Business, or a related field.
• Postgraduate qualifications in Commercial Law, Contract Management, or Procurement (desirable but not essential).
• Proven experience in commercial contract management, legal, or compliance roles within regulated and complex industries (e.g., Defence, Mining, Infrastructure).
• Strong understanding of contract law principles, including negotiation of commercial terms.
• Familiarity with ITAR, export control laws, and defence flow-down requirements.
• Commercial mindset — able to balance risk and opportunity in contract negotiations.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills, with an ability to influence outcomes.
• High attention to detail and a structured approach to contract management and governance.

Why Join Us

• Work with market-leading organisations on some of Australia’s most significant defence and industrial programs.
• Be part of a high-performing, collaborative team, where your expertise will directly influence outcomes.
• Opportunity to build and refine internal processes, shaping the future of contract management and compliance.
• Flexible, hybrid/remote working environment.

Not sure if you meet these requirements? Please apply — we are happy to discuss your individual circumstances.