Senior Procurement Advisor – State Government | Legal Focus
3-Month Contract + Potential Extension | Melbourne | Hybrid
Daily rate $690 including super

We are currently seeking an experienced Senior Procurement Advisor to support a high-performing team within a Victorian State Government department. This is a 3-month contract with strong potential for extension, based in Melbourne with flexible hybrid work arrangements.
The ideal candidate will bring a legal or contracts advisory background, paired with deep understanding of public sector procurement, particularly within the Victorian Government framework.
Key Responsibilities:

• Provide practical, solutions-focused legal advice throughout the entire procurement lifecycle – from planning and market engagement through to contract award.
• Ensure all procurement and contract activities comply with VGPB policies and DTF guidance, including the procurement of goods, services, and construction works.
• Support procurement teams in resolving contractual disputes, variations, performance breaches, and terminations.
• Act as the bridge between legal and non-legal stakeholders, including being the primary contact for the Chief Procurement Office (CPO), Sourcing and Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) teams.
• Coordinate and manage the legal review process for procurement documents and escalate complex issues where required.
• Advise on probity, conflict of interest, and reputational risk matters in line with government policy and legislative requirements.
• Support the development of EOI, RFT and contract documentation, ensuring compliance with VGPB and Ministerial Direction requirements.

Key Skills & Experience:

• Strong knowledge of Victorian public sector procurement, including VGPB framework, Ministerial Directions, DTF guidance and relevant legislation.
• Demonstrated experience in contract law, probity obligations, and legal risk assessment within a government setting.
• Proven ability to advise on legal and commercial risks, and provide practical mitigation strategies.
• Skilled in stakeholder engagement, negotiation, and translating complex legal concepts for non-legal audiences.
• Deep understanding of the supplier and contract lifecycle, including risk assessment, onboarding, due diligence, and offboarding.

Personal Attributes:

• Highly collaborative with a proactive, solutions-oriented mindset.
• Confident communicator who can work effectively across procurement, legal, and operational teams.
• Detail-focused, yet able to see the bigger picture and align legal support with business objectives.

If you’re a procurement professional with strong legal acumen and government experience, and you're looking for a short-term but impactful opportunity — we’d love to hear from you.

At Chandler Macleod, we are committed to fostering a diverse workforce where everyone is welcome. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, women, neurodiverse, people living with a disability and the LGBTIQA+ community.

You can read more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion at https://www.chandlermacleod.com/diversity-and-inclusion.