Contract Management and Administration Officer - Price and Cost
Australian Department of Defence
Posted 8 days ago
The Role
The role is responsible for conducting complex financial investigation activities to support procurement and contract outcomes. This includes examining and analysing pricing proposals, tender evaluations and contract negotiations, and providing specialist financial, costing and commercial advice. The position leads and guides staff undertaking investigations, reviews investigation reports, and resolves outstanding issues by applying sound judgement. It contributes to the development and improvement of pricing, cost analysis methodologies, policies and processes to enhance consistency and rigor.
A key focus is building staff capability through mentoring and instruction in systematic, objective and transparent financial analysis. The role requires effective prioritisation to meet business objectives and deadlines while recommending practical solutions to resolve issues. Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills are essential to understand expectations, address concerns and achieve business outcomes. Collaboration, leadership and continuous improvement underpin successful delivery of responsibilities.
About our Team
Regional Maintenance Centre (RMC) North East is located in Cairns and will provide capability support to the Royal Australian Navy.
The focus of this organisation will be on enhanced collaboration, co-ordination, workforce development and expansion to build the capability and capacity needed to meet increasing ship maintenance demands. RMC is dedicated to the continued professional development of its staff and you can expect to enhance your skills through additional formal training.
Working for Defence will support you in balancing work life with family and other priorities. You can access a variety of flexible working arrangements, occasionally working from home and working hours that are not always nine to five. Defence provides employees with a superannuation contribution of 15.4 per cent, higher than most industries, with the opportunity for you to make additional personal contributions.
Our Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate for the APS 6 Contract Management and Administration Officer role will bring extensive experience in price and cost analysis, with a demonstrated ability to conduct complex financial investigations, evaluate pricing proposals and tender submissions, and provide sound commercial and cost advice to support procurement and contract outcomes.
They will possess strong leadership capabilities, including the ability to mentor and guide staff, review complex analyses, and ensure recommendations are evidence-based, objective and well documented. Highly developed stakeholder engagement and negotiation skills are essential, enabling the candidate to build productive relationships, understand commercial priorities, manage competing expectations, and contribute to effective decision-making.
The successful applicant will also demonstrate strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, identifying financial and commercial risks, assessing options, and delivering practical, defensible solutions aligned with organisational objectives and procurement policy. Experience in driving continuous improvement, enhancing pricing and cost analysis methodologies, and building team capability through coaching, knowledge sharing, and process improvement initiatives will be highly regarded.
Application Closing Date: Sunday 23 August 2026
For further information please review the job information pack, reference NSSG/04471/26 on https://defencecareers.nga.net.au/?jati=3339779D-7ACE-6F88-4184-ED3331DA5F6C
About Australian Department of Defence
Role
The primary role of Defence is to defend Australia against armed attack.
Australia's defence policy is founded on the principle of self-reliance in the direct defence of Australia, but with a capacity to do more where there are shared interests with partners and allies.
Strategic Direction
The Defence White Paper was released on 25 February 2016 together with an Integrated Investment Program and Defence Industry Policy Statement.
Defence White Papers are the Government's most important guidance about Australia's long-term defence capability. They provide an opportunity for the Government and community to understand the the opportunities and challenges for Australia's future defence and security needs.
The White Paper provides a strategy aligned with capability and resources to deliver a future force that is more capable, agile and potent and ready to respond to future challenges.
Source: This is an extract from the company's own website.