Contract Manager

Commercial Contracts Manager | Technology & Telecommunications | Sydney Hybrid

This is an opportunity for an experienced commercial contracts professional or lawyer to join a major national technology and communications business in a role that sits at the more legal and commercially substantive end of contract management.

The role would particularly suit someone with strong legal drafting and negotiation skills who enjoys being close to the business and taking ownership of commercial agreements from initial drafting through to execution.

Why is this a great role?

Unlike many Contract Manager positions, this isn't predominantly focused on administering contracts once they're in place.

You'll be responsible for the front-end drafting and negotiation of customer contracts, including both standard and bespoke agreements, variations, novations, settlement agreements, termination agreements and other commercial documentation.

You'll work closely with an experienced in-house legal team while becoming a trusted commercial adviser to a significant business division.

We've placed a number of lawyers into this organisation over the past few years and have consistently received excellent feedback about the quality of the legal team, culture and working environment.

How will this role develop your career?

This is an interesting opportunity for someone who wants to combine legal drafting skills with greater commercial responsibility.

You'll work directly with business stakeholders on negotiations and commercial decision-making, while partnering closely with the Legal and Regulatory teams on more complex issues.

For a lawyer, it offers the opportunity to move closer to the commercial side of a major business while continuing to use the drafting and negotiation skills developed in private practice or in-house.

For an experienced Contract Manager, the role offers unusually substantive exposure to legal drafting, negotiation and commercial risk.

Why do people like working here?

The business offers genuine hybrid working, with three days in the office and two days working remotely.

For the right person, there may also be scope to consider a four-day working week, subject to approval.

The organisation offers a strong range of additional employee benefits, including additional leave, product discounts, wellbeing support and excellent on-site facilities.

What work will you do?

You will:

• Draft and negotiate customer contracts, including bespoke commercial terms;
• Prepare variations, novations, settlement agreements, termination agreements and other legal documentation;
• Provide first-level legal and commercial support to business stakeholders;
• Work closely with Legal and Regulatory on complex contractual and regulatory issues;
• Identify and manage legal, commercial, operational and credit risk;
• Become a trusted adviser to senior commercial stakeholders; and
• Help improve contract governance and processes from initial drafting through to execution.

What type of person will be successful?

You'll ideally have:

• A law degree or equivalent legal academic background;
• Strong contract drafting and negotiation experience;
• Previous experience within a law firm and/or as an in-house lawyer is highly desirable;
• The ability to draft bespoke commercial and legal terms without relying solely on precedents;
• Strong commercial judgement and the confidence to advise business stakeholders;
• Excellent communication and attention to detail; and
• Telecommunications, technology or wholesale experience would be beneficial, but isn't essential.

Sydney-based candidates are strongly preferred, although Melbourne may potentially be considered for an exceptional candidate.

If you're interested in finding out more, please apply below or contact Toby Orr at Beacon Legal for a confidential discussion.

If this role isn't quite right but you're considering your next in-house move, please get in touch. We're currently working on a range of legal and commercial opportunities across Australia.