Senior Contract Manager

About us

The Department of Government Services (DGS) was established on 1 January 2023 to improve everyone's experience of doing business and interacting with the Victorian government. We bring important day-to-day services together in one department to make things easy and seamless for Victorians and businesses. We are doing this by connecting and digitising our systems and platforms across state and local government as well as streamlining our corporate and procurement services.

About the role

Reporting to the Director, Corporate and Commercial, the Senior Project Manager will be responsible for leading and managing a small team to deliver the procurement strategy and sourcing process for Whole of Government (WOVG) office accommodation.

This includes strategic planning and execution, supply market management, contract review, development and risk management activities to ensure compliance with relevant legislative and regulatory requirements. The role focuses on achieving best value for money, responding to stakeholder expectations and meeting business objectives.

About you

To be considered for the role, you must be able to demonstrate:

• Demonstrated in-depth knowledge and experience in complex commercial procurements including tender document development, contract review and risk management practices and methodologies, preferably in a Victorian Government context.
• Demonstrated experience in planning and executing high-value and complex commercial negotiations, preferably in real estate and/or facilities management context, using a variety of techniques to deliver optimal commercial and contractual outcomes that realise sustainable value for both the buyer and the supplier organisations.
• Strong leadership skills and understanding of best practice procurement practices and broad experience in developing and implementing procurement procedures, templates and tools that support the delivery of effective procurement outcomes.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with proven ability to engage with diverse stakeholders and build collaborative and effective relationships to deliver outstanding procurement outcomes.
• High-level analytical and conceptual skills with the ability to deliver innovative solutions to resolve complex problems.
• Certification / Degree / Equivalent experience in a relevant discipline.
• Knowledge and experience in managing complex commercial procurements.
• Experience working with end-to-end sourcing, procurement, contract management within a large organisation. Experience in real estate, facilities management or similar context is highly sought after but not required.

Key Accountabilities

• Plan and develop the procurement strategy and sourcing process to support the delivery of effective and efficient client outcomes for WovG office accommodation management. This includes market engagement, project management, review of tender documents, establishment of procedures, tools and templates that are aligned to Victorian Government Procurement Board (VGPB) and ACLS Procurement policy framework.
• Lead, manage and coordinate the team (which may include external consultants) to deliver best value for money in procurement and sourcing activities adhering to Government processes, procedures, and priorities to meet stakeholder expectations and achieve organisational objectives.
• Effectively apply government procurement policies and legislative requirements to develop and implement complex category management strategies that deliver value for money outcomes including an ability to apply appropriate probity processes throughout the procurement and transparency as well as the application of Victoria's Social Procurement Framework.
• Identify and manage commercial, contractual, operational, financial, reputational, ethical and market risks consolidating opportunities for improvement and innovation to minimise negative impacts on sourcing objectives.
• Lead negotiations on high impact, complex commercial facilities and real estate service arrangements and contract issues to deliver improved efficiencies, cost savings and high-quality procurement outcomes.
• In collaboration with the Contract Officer, monitor deadlines on project deliverables, ensure project parameters including budgets, schedules and scopes are adequately managed within tolerances and communicate on an ongoing basis with business partners and internal clients.

For specific responsibilities please review the attached position description.

This position is only open to applicants with relevant rights to work in Australia.

How to apply

Apply before the advertised closing date 11:59pm on 22nd October 2025. All applications should include:

• a resume; and
• a cover letter which addresses the key selection criteria (within three pages)

Other relevant information

The department is committed to providing and maintaining a working environment which is safe and without risk to the health of its employees and clients and consistent with the department's obligations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (OH&S Act), to support this DGS has a COVID-19 Vaccination policy which strongly recommends all DGS employees be fully vaccinated.

Preferred candidates will be required to complete a Pre-employment Declaration and Consent Form. Employment of successful candidates will be subject to a National Police Check.

DGS actively promotes diversity, inclusion and an equal opportunity workplace. We welcome applicants from all diverse backgrounds, including people with disabilities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. All roles at DGS can be worked flexibly, however it may differ from role to role.