Who are we?
We’re here to help people live well and create a better and more sustainable future. We support healthy and liveable communities by delivering water, sewerage and recycled water services to 1.77 million people who rely on us every day and every night. At South East Water, we innovate with purpose and act with care to deliver healthy water for life. Fresh thinking and collaboration are at the heart of our organisation. We are constantly learning, embracing the challenges of today and excited by the opportunities that tomorrow will bring.
The Digital & Transformation Team at South East Water has implemented an exciting operational enhancement to better support the company's strategic priorities. This includes the creation of a newly formed commercial team to enhance our commercial acumen and deliver greater business impact. As part of this transformation, there are two key roles we are recruiting for.
The role
The Commercial Manager provides functional leadership in commercial management for the Digital & Transformation (D&T) Group. Responsible for ensuring effective commercial, contractual, financial, and legal practices across programs of work. The role involves developing commercial strategies, conducting high-level contract and tender reviews, and establishing a contract administration framework to identify opportunities, risks, and issues early. The Commercial Manager is a strategic leadership role providing a centre of excellence and commercial support to the D&T Group and Leadership team, as well as executives, committees and Board.
Key accountabilities:
- Develop commercial strategies and policies with business-wide application, partnering with senior management
- Interface with legal counsel, commercial advisors, and legal advisors to ensure a consistent approach is taken on commercial and contractual positions
- Support all major tender reviews to provide appropriate advice: interpret tender submissions, works order clarifications, variation claims and apply the commercial and contractual agreements
- Assist D&T Group people and projects as needed in all commercial matters e.g. claims, contractual issues, disputes, negotiate contract terms and conditions, request of quotes, work orders, and setting up administration procedures in collaboration with PMO and finance teams
- Provide proactive and evidence-based expert advice, management reports, and report on dispute status to the D&T Leadership team to enable effective management of Partners/Contractors performance
- Undertake post implementation review of projects, and regular contract performance reviews. Analyse results and undertake corrective actions when required
- Stakeholder management to ensure active engagement with both internal and external stakeholders and industry partners
- Lead and create a highly engaged team culture that empowers all employees to take ownership of their work, encouraging innovative thinking, adaptability and builds employee trust
Who are you?
- Tertiary qualifications in Law, Engineering, Commerce, Finance or other associated disciplines
- 10+ years experience in commercial and contract administration within construction, engineering or associated projects
- 5+ years experience in commercial management role desirable
- A collaborative management style to build a close, outcome focused team in a matrix structure environment
- Demonstrated strong commercial acumen, leadership and negotiation skills
- Skill in quantitative and qualitative risk assessment and development of risk controls and actions involved in delivery and implementation of projects
- Experience in interpreting contract clauses and drafting appropriate commercial clauses
- Highly developed capacity to work collaboratively with a range of internal and external stakeholders
What's in it for you?
Working at South East Water means you can enjoy a wealth of benefits, starting with the chance to be part of an organisation deeply committed to environmental initiatives and sustainability; one who has been recognised as one of the top 101 Workplaces for Women in Australia by Work180 for the past two consecutive years.
South East Water cultivates a dynamic culture that emphasises collaboration and strong work ethics, supported by career-focused learning and development opportunities.
As a SEW employee, you can enjoy the following offerings from our benefits package:
- Access to My Fitness Passport, an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), annual flu shots, and health checks.
- Work-life balance with flexible working arrangements, including hybrid work options and leave purchasing.
- Life insurance and salary continuance.
- 15 weeks paid parental leave and paid superannuation on eligible portions of unpaid parental leave.
- Additional leave offerings, such as cultural and ceremonial leave and study leave.
- Head office with modern facilities and panoramic beachfront views, a separate parents' room, a prayer and meditation room, an onsite cafe, and free parking.
- Opportunity to be part of great initiatives involving the local community
We're for everyone
Our people are as diverse as the communities we serve. It makes us better learners, thinkers and collaborators, helping create better outcomes for our customers.
We are deeply committed to Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging, and we encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, LGBTIQ+ individuals, people with disability and jobseekers of all ages and cultures. We aim to provide an inclusive, accessible workplace where everyone is welcome, safe, and celebrated. If you need any help with the application process or would like to discuss your reasonable adjustments during interviews, please reach out to our Talent team at [email protected].
Keen to make an impact?
Click here to check out the position description. We're accepting applications for this exciting opportunity until Sunday 20th July 2025!
To be considered for this opportunity, you must hold unrestricted working rights for the period of employment at the time of application. Successful candidates will also be required to undergo a number of pre-employment checks, including a police records check
South East Water operates a 24/7 service environment. Whilst this role does not involve after-hours rostered duty, all employees may be required to provide out of hours support from time to time as required.
Visit southeastwater.com.au to learn more about us and how we serve our customers.
