About the Role

Copper South Australia has set significant aspirational targets to increase production through a series of multi-billion-dollar project investments. This role provides overall commercial leadership for a mega capital project ($1Bn+) and is a key member of the Project Leadership Team accountable for commercial outcomes, governance, value delivery and risk management across the project lifecycle.

As the Commercial Leader (Major Projects), you will lead the Owner's commercial function for a mega-project, managing a team of 5-6 direct reports and overseeing the commercial performance, governance and contractual outcomes of the EPCM partner and all major contractors.

Core Responsibilities

- Provide commercial leadership and accountability for a multi-billion-dollar capital project.
- Lead and develop an Owner's Commercial Team comprising 5-6 direct reports.
- Develop and execute project contracting, procurement and commercial strategies.
- Manage the commercial relationship, performance and governance of the EPCM contractor.
- Lead contract management, change management, claims management and dispute resolution.
- Oversee major package procurement and contractor administration activities.
- Manage Indigenous contracting and social value programs.
- Provide commercial input to project governance, approvals and investment decisions.

In This Role You Will

- Lead the commercial interface between the Owner's Team and EPCM partner.
- Establish governance frameworks, performance metrics and commercial assurance processes for the EPCM contractor.
- Ensure alignment between project objectives, commercial strategies and delivery outcomes.
- Provide leadership, coaching and capability development to the commercial team.
- Drive contractor performance, value optimisation and risk management initiatives.
- Partner with Project Controls, Finance, Legal and Project Leadership to achieve business objectives.

Accountabilities





- Accountable for commercial leadership and governance of a mega-project.
- Primary commercial advisor to the Project Director and Project Leadership Team.
- Accountable for procurement, contracting and commercial management strategies.
- Manage EPCM contract performance, incentives, governance and outcomes.
- Lead major commercial negotiations and complex contractor relationships.
- Ensure robust management of claims, disputes, variations and commercial risk.
- Drive project value improvement and cost optimisation initiatives.
- Lead implementation of commercial systems, processes and reporting frameworks.
- Maintain executive stakeholder relationships across Project, Commercial, Finance and Operations functions.
- Drive team performance against business plan objectives and KPIs.
- Some site travel as required.

About You

You will be a senior commercial leader with extensive experience leading commercial functions on major and mega-projects, preferably within Owner-led delivery organisations and complex EPCM execution environments.

- Tertiary qualifications in Business, Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Law, Commerce, Engineering or related discipline.
- Demonstrated experience leading commercial teams on multi-billion-dollar projects.
- Proven experience managing EPCM contracts and delivery models.
- Extensive knowledge of EPC, EPCM, alliance, reimbursable and incentive-based commercial models.
- Experience in claims, disputes, commercial risk and contractor performance management.
- Experience as a member of a Project Leadership Team.
- Solid executive stakeholder management, influencing and negotiation capability.
- Previous major construction project and site experience.

People Leadership

- Build, lead and develop a high-performing Owner's Team commercial function.
- Lead, coach and mentor 5-6 direct reports.
- Develop succession capability and commercial excellence.
- Promote a collaborative culture across Owner, EPCM and contractor organisations.

📌 Commercial Leader | Major Projects | Copper South Australia
🏢 BHP
📍 South Australia