AV-L Contracts Manager

Birdon is passionate about innovation, in-house engineering and problem solving. We don’t shy away from a challenge; we thrive on it. A proudly Australian manufacturer and industry partner, we provide whole of life solutions to multinational defence, government, maritime, energy and resource sectors.

As we continue to grow, so too does our team. We are looking for the right candidate to take on the role of AV-L Contracts Manager. This is a Full-Time role based in our Port Macquarie shipyard on the beautiful Hastings River. Sydney based candidates may also be considered, with semi-regular travel to Port Macquarie a requirement.

Position Overview

The Contracts Manager will be accountable for supporting commercial project delivery for the AV-L Project, partnering with the Project Director and Project Manager in developing and delivering on commercial strategies, commercial management of the head contract and subcontracts.

Key Accountabilities:

Management of the head contract including:

• Manage project compliance of head contract commercial requirements – IP, Warranties, Insurances etc.;
• Provide commercial advice / training to the project team to manage risk of non-compliance risk;
• Administer the head contract to resolve issues and disputes, and ensure performance reviews are undertaken in accordance with the head contract and subcontracts;
• Lead development of Contract Change Proposals – drafting CCPs, coordinating legal, technical, schedule and cost inputs; and
• Identify, assess and mitigate commercial risk.

Manage the project subcontracts including:

• In conjunction with the Legal team create new subcontracts (where required) ensuring commercial, contractual and performance risks are managed, and appropriate head-contract flow-downs are in place
• Lead negotiations with subcontractors relating to teaming arrangements, licensing arrangements and confidentiality agreements to deliver appropriate commercial outcomes;
• Optimisation of commercial outcomes and performance including advice on escalations, extensions, variations, and payments;
• Administer the subcontracts, report on subcontractor performance, resolve issues and disputes, and ensure performance reviews are undertaken in accordance with the head contract and subcontracts
• Lead development of Contract Change Proposals – Drafting CCPs, coordinating legal, technical, schedule and cost inputs;
• Lead regular subcontract progress reviews supported by project management and engineering team;
• Conduct performance and compliance reviews and ensure subcontractor corrective action plans are issued and resolved efficiently and in accordance with the subcontract; and
• Identify, assess and mitigate commercial risk.

Project Support:

• Establish and maintain status reporting on contract and subcontract performance;
• Provide commercial advice to the AV-L project team ensuring that key commercial and contractual issues and risk are addressed in an effective and efficient manner;
• Lead negotiations with our client, subcontractors and suppliers relating to contractual issues, teaming arrangements, licensing arrangements and confidentiality agreements to deliver appropriate commercial outcomes;
• Uphold documentation standards by ensuring contract documentation is properly completed, administered and executed and that sufficient records, registers and notices are maintained;
• Support development and implementation of best practice procurement and contract management frameworks, plans and processes; and
• Contribute to the development and delivery of training initiatives for Birdon personnel involved in the AV-L project (and other relevant projects as required), with a focus on enhancing the commercial acumen of the project team. This will support improved contract administration and a deeper understanding of commercial risk, enabling the team to better safeguard Birdon’s commercial interests.

**Qualifications, Experience and Skills

Essential.**

• Formal degree in business, commerce, law or related tertiary qualification
• Contract Management Experience with high complexity contracts between $10m - $100m
• 5+ years procurement experience
• Dispute and claim management
• Strong interpersonal skills and an ability to interact effectively with senior management, stakeholders and partners
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Superior analytical and problem-solving skills
• The ability to undertake regular domestic travel
• Australian Citizenship, with eligibility to hold an Australian NV1 security clearance
• Service-oriented team player with a “make it happen safely” attitude

Desirable.

• Formal training in Commercial/Contact Management including Contract Management Body of Knowledge.
• Contract Management of Australian Defence contracts >$100m and familiarity with ASDEFCON
• 10+ years procurement experience in the Defence sector

We deliver value for our customers through our innovative people, organisational agility, and operational excellence.  As an equal opportunity employer, all positions are open to any person that may have the required characteristics and experiences. Veterans are encouraged to apply.

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