This is a large federal government department responsible for supporting the wellbeing of the Australian veteran and Defence service community, delivering programs across care, compensation, commemoration and income support.

It works closely with ex-service organisations, the Department of Defence and the veteran community to shape how it delivers services. This role sits within a Business Operations branch that provides administrative and commercial support to frontline service delivery areas across the department.

The Opportunity

This role exists because the department is establishing a current Contract Management Section and centralising contract management activity that has previously sat across different areas.

You'll lead that establishment, including a procurement and contracts capability uplift project run in consultation with the Director, Major Procurement. The timing lines up with the November 2025 changes to the Commonwealth Procurement Rules, which raised procurement thresholds, introduced new negotiation provisions and strengthened requirements around Australian business and SME participation - changes the department needs experienced contract leadership to apply consistently.

You'll report to the Assistant Secretary, Business Operations, and work closely with other branches across the division so procurement and contract outcomes support broader service delivery.

- Build a Contract Management Section from the ground up, including how the team allocates responsibilities, governs and documents its work
- Lead a procurement and contracts capability uplift project, shaping how the department manages complex and high-risk procurement going forward
- Apply the newly updated Commonwealth Procurement Rules in practice, rather than working to settled, unchanging policy
- Advise delegates and senior executives directly on procurement options, risk and value for money
- Engage and manage legal,



probity and other specialist advisors on complex or sensitive procurement activity

The Role

As EL2 Contract Manager, you'll lead contract management for the division end to end, from standing up the new section through to overseeing supplier performance and contract closure.

Your key responsibilities will include:

- Leading the newly established Contract Management Section and the centralisation of contract management activity across the division
- Leading a procurement and contracts capability uplift project, working closely with the department's Major Procurement function
- Providing advice on procurement strategy, sourcing models, evaluation methodologies, value for money and commercial risk
- Leading complex, high-value, sensitive or high-risk procurement activities, engaging legal, probity and other specialist advisors as required
- Establishing and maintaining contracts, standing offers, work orders and labour hire engagements, and the financial commitments attached to them
- Allocating contract management responsibilities across the section and ensure each arrangement has appropriate governance, documentation and oversight
- Monitoring contract expenditure, deliverables, milestones, performance measures and expiry and extension dates, and oversee supplier performance management including issue resolution and escalation
- Managing contract disputes and emerging commercial risks, and oversee orderly contract transition and closure
- Managing staffing, resourcing and budget for the section, in consultation with the Assistant Secretary,



Business Operations

The Ideal Person

You're comfortable leading a function that doesn't have an established playbook yet, and you're the person colleagues turn to when a procurement or contract issue doesn't have a clear resolution path.

You will bring the following skills and experience:

- Experience in, or a robust understanding of, the Commonwealth Resource Framework, including the Commonwealth Procurement Rules and associated Procurement Connected Policies
- Experience leading complex, high-value or high-risk procurement activity, including engaging legal, probity or other specialist advisors
- Experience establishing and managing contracts, standing offers or labour hire engagements, including monitoring performance, expenditure and obligations
- The ability to advise delegates and senior executives on procurement options, risk and value for money
- Experience managing staff and budgets in a government or similarly regulated environment
- Australian citizenship, and the ability to obtain and maintain a Baseline AGSVA security clearance (both mandatory for this role)

Desirable:

- Experience establishing or centralising a contract management function from the ground up
- Experience managing supplier disputes or underperformance in consultation with legal teams

Rate

- $100/hr – $114/hr + Super
- 8-month initial labour hire contract, with the possibility of extension(12-months)
- Based in Sydney, with a hybrid working arrangement combining office attendance and remote work

How to Apply

To apply online, please click on the appropriate link.

For a confidential discussion about the role, please contact Lisa Shakhovskaya on 02 6108 4*** quoting ref no. 21832.

HorizonOne is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce and we encourage applications from people of all cultures, capabilities and backgrounds.

📌 Contract Manager (Sydney)
🏢 HorizonOne Recruitment
📍 Sydney