Position Title: Contract Manager (Infrastructure Projects)Employment Type: Fixed TermPrimary Purpose of the PositionThe Contract Manager is responsible for the administration, management, and oversight of all contractual aspects of infrastructure project(s) that are assigned to. The role ensures compliance with contractual obligations, mitigates risks, supports procurement and claims management, contractual correspondence and safeguards the commercial interests of the project in line with client’s contract with contractor, financiers and regulatory requirements.Key Responsibilities<ul><li>Contract Administration - Manage and administer construction and consultancy contracts throughout the project lifecycle. Ensure compliance with contract terms, technical specifications, and applicable regulations. Interpret contract provisions and provide guidance to project teams. Maintain contract documentation, records, and correspondence.</li><li>Claims and Dispute Management - Lead the preparation, evaluation, and negotiation of claims (EOT, variation, cost claims). Assess contractor submissions in accordance with contract conditions (e.g., FIDIC). Support dispute resolution processes including adjudication, arbitration, or mediation. Maintain detailed records to support claims and dispute cases.</li><li>Commercial Management - Monitor contract costs, variations, and financial exposure. Review and certify payment applications, variations, and change orders. Advise on cost implications of contractual decisions.</li><li>Risk Management - Identify contractual risks and develop mitigation strategies. Provide proactive advice on contract-related issues affecting project delivery. Ensure compliance with legal, regulatory, and financier requirements.</li><li>Stakeholder Coordination - Liaise with clients, contractors, consultants, legal advisors. Participate in project meetings and provide contractual advice and updates.</li><li>Support audit processes and external reviews.</li></ul>Key Performance IndicatorsKey performance indicators will be agreed per project and reviewed regularly. <ul><li>Contract administration &amp; compliance<ul><li>Timeliness of contractual notices: % of required notices issued within contractual time bars (target e.g., ≥95%).</li><li>Contractual correspondence quality (internal) and defensibility (external): % of outgoing letters reviewed/approved with no major rework; number of instances where the project’s position is weakened due to unclear/incorrect contractual interpretation.</li><li>Register management: contract risk/issue/variation/claims registers updated within agreed frequency (e.g., weekly) and 100% completeness of mandatory fields.</li><li>Document control &amp; traceability: % of key contractual records filed within 2 business days; audit findings related to records (target: 0 major findings).</li></ul></li><li>Claims, variations &amp; dispute management<ul><li>Response turnaround: average days to review/respond to contractor claims/variation submissions vs contractual deadlines (target: 100% on time).</li><li>Claims outcome effectiveness: value/time impact avoided or reduced through timely rebuttal/negotiation (tracked as % of claimed amount/time vs agreed outcome).</li><li>Dispute avoidance: number of issues escalated to formal dispute stages; % resolved at project level without adjudication/arbitration.</li><li>EOT/variation substantiation: % of recommendations supported by contemporaneous records and schedule/cost analysis (peer review pass rate).</li></ul></li><li>Commercial &amp; financial management<ul><li>Payment certification accuracy (internal) and stakeholder acceptance (external): number of payment certificates reissued due to errors; variance between certified and audited/verified amounts (target: &lt;1–2%); number of certification items disputed by client/contractor.</li><li>Change control discipline: % of variations/change orders assessed and approved in accordance with procedure before work is executed (target: ≥90%).</li><li>Forecasting &amp; exposure: monthly forecast produced on time; accuracy of contract cost forecast vs final/rolling estimate (e.g., within ±5%).</li><li>Commercial risk reporting: timely escalation of financial exposure above thresholds; number of “surprises” (unreported exposure) identified in reviews.</li></ul></li><li>Risk, compliance &amp; governance<ul><li>Contractual risk mitigation: % of high risks with agreed mitigation actions, owners, and due dates; % actions closed on time.</li><li>Regulatory/financier compliance: number of non-compliances attributable to contract administration; closure time for compliance actions.</li><li>Audit readiness: outcome of internal/external audits (no. of findings; severity); implementation rate of corrective actions.</li></ul></li><li>Stakeholder coordination &amp; support to project delivery<ul><li>Decision support responsiveness: % of contractual queries from the project team answered within agreed SLA (e.g., 2–3 working days).</li><li>Meeting effectiveness: regular participation in key meetings; action items owned by Contract Manager closed by due date (target: ≥90%).</li><li>Training/knowledge transfer: number of contract briefings/toolbox sessions delivered; improvement in team compliance (reduced late notices/incorrect submissions).</li></ul></li><li>Reporting &amp; communication<ul><li>Monthly contractual status report (governance) and internal management pack: issued on time and covering claims, variations, payment status, risks, disputes, and upcoming time bars; number of material corrections required post-issue (target: 0); consistency with registers and project controls.</li><li>Management information quality: consistency between registers, reports, and project controls data (number of discrepancies per reporting cycle).</li></ul></li></ul>Key Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills &amp; ExperienceEducation<ul><li>Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Law, Quantity Surveying, or related field. </li><li>Master’s degree is an advantage.</li></ul>Experience<ul><li>Minimum 10–15 years of experience in contract management for infrastructure projects.</li><li>Proven experience in contract administration of EPC contracts</li><li>Strong background in FIDIC-based contracts or similar international contract conditions.</li><li>Experience in large-scale infrastructure projects (roads, bridges, rail, water, power).</li></ul>Preferred Certifications<ul><li>Training in FIDIC contract administration or claims management</li></ul>At Surbana Jurong, we put talent, hard work, teamwork and a fun workplace together to approach problems and solve them creatively and collaboratively. Join us in making a positive impact on the world!

SMEC is a global engineering, management and development consultancy with a 70-year history of delivering advanced solutions on a global scale across urban development, infrastructure and management services industries. We are specialists in providing design leadership, consulting and advisory expertise across the roads and highways, rail and metro, aviation, hydropower and renewable energy sectors. SMEC has a long and proud history which dates back to Australia&rsquo;s iconic Snowy Mountains Hydroelectric Scheme in 1949, one of the largest and most complex hydroelectric schemes in the world. Joining the Surbana Jurong Group in 2016, SMEC is part of a family of specialists. We are committed to delivering sustainable solutions that help to connect, move and power people and communities. For the latest news, visit our newsroom www.smec.com/newsroom or read about the innovations and solutions shaping our communities on our Infocus blog www.smec.com/infocus. At SMEC, our global workforce is made up of experts who bring unique talent, experience and passion to their fields. We offer a rewarding career path for enthusiastic and collaborative achievers who are motivated to make a difference. For more information or to view current vacancies visit www.smec.com/careers.

CONTRACT MANAGER

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SMEC Services Pty Limited

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