Who We Are

In Melbourne, water is essential to our way of life.

As caretakers for Melbourne’s water cycle, we care for water, life and land throughout Melbourne: both its people and its biodiversity.

Each time you drink from the tap, flush a toilet or kayak down the Yarra, we’re there. Primed and ready, quietly delivering some of the world’s cleanest water for over five million residents and wildlife that call Melbourne home, just as we have for over 130 years.

If you value making it count, diving in with curiosity, and doing what’s right, you're in the right place.

About The Role

This fixed term role, reporting to the Manager Contracts & Compliance, is in place until May 2027 with strong potential to extend.  You will manage the full contracting lifecycle across Major Capital Delivery projects. You’ll provide clear, practical commercial advice that helps project teams deliver confidently, compliantly and efficiently in a complex environment. 

This is a senior individual contributor role offering strong autonomy and visibility. You’ll work closely with legal, procurement, finance and insurance teams, acting as a trusted partner to project managers and senior stakeholders across the organisation. The role operates in a hybrid model and involves regular engagement with project teams across both office and project sites. The portfolio includes complex, high‑value infrastructure projects delivered in live operational environments, with multiple stakeholders and rigorous governance requirements.

In this role, you will:

• Manage contracts from EOI and tender through to award, administration and close‑out across a major capital portfolio
• Lead commercial analysis, negotiations, variations and claims to achieve fair, robust outcomes
• Tailor and apply Australian Standard contracts and framework agreements to suit complex project needs. Contract forms commonly used include Australian Standard suites (e.g., AS 4300/ITC) and bespoke framework agreements.
• Support strong governance, risk management and compliance with legislative and policy requirements, including social procurement obligations

About You

You bring a calm, thoughtful approach to complex contracts and enjoy working at the intersection of commercial detail and real-world delivery. You’re comfortable influencing outcomes, explaining risk clearly and building strong working relationships across diverse disciplines. ‑world delivery. You’re comfortable influencing outcomes, explaining risk clearly and building strong working relationships across diverse disciplines.

You’re motivated by work that has purpose and scale, and you take pride in enabling others to deliver their best work through sound contractual foundations.

You’ll bring:

• Experience managing complex contracts within engineering, construction or major infrastructure environments
• Experience with major works exposure who can operate confidently across contract formation, administration, claims and Contract Variations
• Strong commercial and financial acumen, with the ability to assess claims, variations and risk
• Clear written and verbal communication skills, with confidence engaging senior stakeholders
• A collaborative mindset and the judgement to work independently when required
• Tertiary qualifications in engineering, law, finance, project management or quantity surveying highly desirable

• Obtain AusCheck Clearance. (please see important information below*)

If you’re currently working as a Contracts Manager, Commercial Manager, Senior Contract Advisor or similar, this role offers the chance to deepen your impact while broadening your exposure.

For more information, please review the attached position description: Manager Contracts MCD.pdf

Why Join Us

At Melbourne Water, we care about water and all life that springs from it.

Our people are fuelled by passion, and with safety at the forefront, we have an unwavering sense of purpose, and are on a mission to protect every Melburnian’s way of life, one drop at a time.

We walk the talk when it comes to flexible working – but that’s not all. Our culture of purpose, safety, results, and learning permeates everything we do. We're dedicated to doing what's right, and this commitment extends to the meaningful work we do in a supportive and inclusive culture that encourages you to make the most of your talents.

Our long-standing commitment to Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging means that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, LGBTIQ+ individuals, neurodivergent individuals, people living with disability, mature age and young jobseekers from all cultures can apply with confidence knowing they are safe, affirmed, and celebrated.

If you’re curious, action-orientated, outcomes-focused, and care deeply for public resources, community, and the environment, we'd love to receive an application and learn if you could be a great fit.

How To Apply

Click the 'Apply Now' button below and complete our online application form.

Closing date: Wednesday 18^th February 2026 at 11:55pm AEST

*Important Information

The Security of Critical Infrastructure (SoCI) Act 2018 requires Melbourne Water, as an operator of critical infrastructure, to prepare a Critical Infrastructure Risk Management Program (CIRMP), which has been undertaken and managed by the Security and Emergency Management Team.

Melbourne Water are required to assess roles across Melbourne Water to determine what roles are critical under the Act. All employees working in a role deemed SOCI critical will require additional background checks via AusCheck. The role of Lead information Management is deemed critical and the preferred applicant will be asked to undertake an AusCheck.

The AusCheck process is outlined clearly in this presentation provided by AusCheck CI Critical Worker: Getting Started Guide | Rise 360 (articulate.com).