Senior Contracts Administrator

at  John Holland

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Inland Rail is transforming how goods are moved around Australia, connecting Melbourne and Brisbane via regional Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. This 1,700km fast freight backbone will complete our national freight network – better connecting producers to markets and creating new opportunities for regional businesses, industries and communities.
The Beveridge to Albury (B2A) project is the Victorian portion of the program undertaken along approximately 305 kms of existing northeast rail corridor between Beveridge and Albury. B2A is staged in two tranches. Tranche 1 includes enhancement works across four sites and corridor wide works.
Tranche 2 works will be delivered by John Holland and includes adjustment of track alignments, the provision of new road overbridges and station modifications to enable the safe operation of double-stack freight trains across eight B2A project sites between Wandong and Benalla.

ABOUT THE ROLE / ARE YOU UP FOR THE CHALLENGE?

As the B2A Senior Contracts Administrator, you will plan and manage the end-to-end commercial management of large subcontracts and self-performed works, both directly and indirectly. Work effectively with internal and external stakeholders and direct reports to deliver project commercial outcomes.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ROLE INCLUDE / WHAT YOU WILL DO;

Overall responsibility for the role on this high-profile major project includes:

• Prepare scopes of works and tender packages to accompany requests for quotations/invitation to tender issued to prequalified companies.
• Interpret specifications and drawings to understand scope of works for the project.
• Conduct prequalification of interested companies relating to prospective work packages.
• Manage and drive the review process to ensure the award of all work packages within the required time frame and budget.
• Conduct negotiations with allocated subcontractors and ensure all subcontractor agreements aligned to the project’s risk management principles.
• Maintenance of a register of subcontractors and identify all key data in relation to each subcontract.
• Oversee the procurement process for allocated subcontract and supply agreements to ensure that relevant packages are awarded on time and within budget.
• Oversee the entire tendering and procurement process. Ensure effective contract administration, in conjunction with operations personnel.
• Evaluation and preparation of formal response to subcontractor’s notice(s) of delay, extension of time claims, variation claims in a professional manner.
• Operate and maintain John Holland commercial and contract systems.
• Minimise all subcontractor variation claims and elimination of claims where possible.
• Ensure that the Subcontractor’s Scope of Works are enforced and adhered to during the execution of the Works.
• Ensure cost forecasting for allocated subcontracts and cost codes are accurately maintained.
• Prepare payment schedules, and process payment in a timely manner. Manage within SOPA requirements and raise any SOPA risks and issues early.
• Maintain an up-to-date register of all subcontract issues.
• Identification and reporting of Risk & Opportunities
• Manage any disputes or major claims with allocated subcontractor.
• Perform all duties in accordance with John Holland policies, processes, systems and procedures.
• Manage project variations by obtaining trade variations, assessing the collection of these subcontractors’ quoted variations and assist with the preparation of Head Contract variation submission.
• Provide coaching and mentoring to new starters on our commercial systems, processes, and approaches.
• Provide mentoring and coaching to Contract Administrators and help educate and upskill Project Engineers on the commercial aspects of a project, including any systems and process training required.
• Undertake general business administration.

TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THIS KEY ROLE, YOU MUST HAVE / WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

• Degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Economics, Quantity Surveying, Law, Commerce or equivalent
• Post graduate qualifications e.g., graduate certificate, graduate diploma in Commerce, Accounting, Business, Construction, Property, Quantity Surveying, Law or other associated disciplines.
• Proven work experience as a Contracts Administrator or Quantity Surveyor in the construction and engineering industry
• Experience in all stages of subcontract management, including scope preparation, procurement, cost forecasting, subcontractor management, claims/variations management, completion and close out.
• Site-based engineering or construction experience
• Experience with a variety of project values and complexity, including large, technically complex works packages.
• Strong commercial acumen and awareness in areas of cost management and contract law
• Knowledge and understanding of industry market conditions and movements.
• Demonstrated ability to manage commercial negotiations.
• Awareness and compliance with document control and records management procedures.