Contract Management and Administration Officer - Price and Cost

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.

Security Clearance

Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance at “Negative Vetting Level 1”.

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.

Eligibility

Security Clearance

Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance at “Negative Vetting Level 1”.

Getting to know the Department of Defence

The Department of Defence employs around 18,000 Australian Public Service (APS) employees. Defence APS employees work in a wide variety of critical roles, Australia wide, enabling our three services Navy, Army and Air Force, to do their job. Defence has a range of Australian Public Service (APS) career opportunities that offer interesting, challenging, and unique work. Our workforce includes administrative support, accountants, intelligence analysts, engineers, policy advisors, graphic designers, lawyers, social workers, IT specialists and contract managers to name a few. We offer a rewarding career that includes professional development, work-life balance, recognition, a flexible and supportive work workplace and a diverse workforce. To find out more about a career with Defence please visit jobs-careers

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📌 Contract Management and Administration Officer - Price and Cost (Cairns Regional)
🏢 Department Of Defence
📍 Cairns Regional