Contracts Manager

Organisational Overview:

Av-Comm Space & Defence (Av-Comm) is the longest-standing privately-owned Satellite Communications company in the Southern Hemisphere. We deliver end-to-end solutions encompassing project, and program management capabilities from feasibility studies, land acquisition, design and manufacturing, logistics, installation, integration, commissioning, and long-term sustainment of the system.

Av-Comm has extensive experience installing and maintaining communications infrastructure particularly across the Asia-Pacific region, as well as the Americas, Middle East, and Europe.

As part of our continued growth, Av-Comm is seeking a Contracts Manager to join our Project Management Office to enhance our Project and Program Management capability.

Role Purpose:

The Av-Comm Contracts Manager plays a key role in supporting the successful delivery of complex satellite communications (SATCOM) programs and/or projects across government, defence, and commercial sectors. This position is responsible for leading the end-to-end lifecycle management of contracts across the Av-Comm Space & Defence delivery program. This includes contract negotiation, execution, monitoring, compliance, risk management, and ongoing contract administration to ensure alignment with organisational objectives and regulatory requirements.

The role plays a critical part in supporting strategic bids, managing complex commercial relationships, and ensuring contractual obligations are delivered effectively in high-compliance environments.  

Key Responsibilities:

General:

• Lead the development and maintenance of Statement of Requirements and Statement of Works in alignment with project and program needs.
• Manage the full contract lifecycle from pre-award through to close-out.
• Draft, review, and negotiate contract terms, conditions and terms.
• Ensure all contracts comply with relevant standards, regulations, contractual obligations, procurement frameworks, and company policies.
• Lead the end-to-end procurement of contractor capability for project and program needs.
• Be the point of contact for all site manager requests relating to contractor risks, issues, opportunities and variations impacting the delivery of scope, schedule, budget, and quality across multiple concurrent projects.
• Liaise with contractors and site supervisors to verify the completion of work to ensure timely invoicing and payments.
• Maintain strong relationships with suppliers and customers.
• Provide support as required to Projects and Programs within the Project Management Office as required to ensure team success.
• Provide updates and progress reports at project and team meetings.
• Maintain accurate records and documentation.
• Conduct contractor evaluations and contract closure reports.

Governance, Reporting and Documentation

• Prepare and maintain contract documentation and related folders.
• Provide regular status updates.
• Ensure compliance with frameworks and standards.
• Support audit and quality assurance activities.

Stakeholder Engagement & Communication

• Liaise with government, defence, and commercial clients to support effective project and program outcomes.
• Engage with suppliers, subcontractors, and partners to align on all aspects of project and program delivery.
• Report program status to the Project and Program Managers, the PMO Director, and senior leadership.

Quality & Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve contract management processes systems, and templates.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of commercial policies and procedures.
• Mentor and support team members where applicable.
• Contribute to lessons learned, post-project reviews, and process improvements.
• Support implementation of quality management processes.

Preferred Qualifications & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in law, Business, Commerce, Procurement, or a related discipline.
• Experience in contract management within civil construction.
• Strong knowledge of government contracting frameworks and procurement processes.
• Experience with complex, high-value contracts and multi-stakeholder environments.
• Familiarity with export control regulations highly desirable.

Key Competencies:

• Strong negotiation and influencing skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• High attention to detail and analytical capability.
• Self-starter/self-led with the passion for self-improvement.
• Commercial acumen and risk awareness.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship management.
• Sound judgment and decision-making skills.

Security & Eligibility Requirements

• Ability to obtain and maintain an Australian Government Security Clearance (e.g., NV1, NV2).
• Australian citizenship may be required.