Procurement & Contracting Manager

The Role

The acquisition of conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines is an historic and transformative endeavour for Australia. The whole-of-nation effort to safely and securely deliver the cutting edge nuclear-powered submarine program will transform Australia's economic and national security landscape for decades to come.

Phase 3 (AUKUS SSN Submarine (SSN-A)) involves the design and build of the trilaterally developed submarine based on the UK's next generation design, which incorporates technology from all three partner nations.

The SSN-A Commercial Directorate within SSN-Construction Division supports commercial functions necessary for the successful build and sustainment of the SSN-A, and is seeking experienced commercial, procurement and contracting managers to contribute to the delivery of the complex maritime capability. Successful candidates will play a critical role in shaping commercial strategy, managing supplier relationships, and ensuring compliance with Commonwealth procurement frameworks.

This is an opportunity to be part of a high-performing team delivering one of Australia's most significant Defence programs.

Duties may include:

• Lead and undertake procurement planning, tendering, contract formation, and contract management activities, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation, procurement policies, processes, and procedures.
• Manage and provide clear direction and support on procurement policy matters, including commercial, legal, financial, technical, and investigative requirements to enable effective best for Agency contract outcomes.
• Develop and implement procurement-related documentation, including templates, schedules, correspondence, reports, submissions, plans and strategies, risk and performance reviews, contract change proposals, and other contract management materials.
• Interpret and apply legal principles, legislative obligations, mandatory policy requirements, and critical commercial risk and performance considerations in procurement and contract management.
• Engage, negotiate, and influence clients and stakeholders, responding to complex and very complex enquiries and contract issues, and proactively identifying alternative solutions to ensure resolution.
• Build and sustain productive relationships with supervisors, staff and team members and actively contribute to teamwork and collaborative activities.
• Design and implement mitigation strategies for risks associated with contract management, supplier performance, and compliance with mandatory requirements, and recommend relevant improvements.
• Provide expert advice and assistance on complex to very complex procurement and contract management matters.
• Monitor and manage contract administration, performance, and risk, and contribute to the development and implementation of appropriate corrective actions.

This role is eligible for an additional remuneration benefit known in ASA as a Building Capability Payment (BCP). This enables ASA to provide a premium, in addition to the base salary otherwise payable under the ASA Enterprise Agreement, for positions in occupational disciplines/classifications that are critical to ASA capability. For further information, please contact the contact officer.

About our Team

ASA SSN-AUKUS Commercial Directorate is embedded commercial function responsible for procurement and contracting within the SSN Construction Division and provides a broad range of commercial services including:

• Be a point of contact for the Division to liaise with specialist services such as:
• Defence legal
• ASA Legal
• ASA Commercial Branch
• Capability Acquisition Sustainment Group (CASG)
• Supporting procurement activities for the whole life cycle from planning to acquisition to sustainment/contract management.
• The provision of advice and assurance on complex procurement, commercial and contract management, considering legislatively and policy obligations within the broader Defence portfolio.
• Undertaking various procurement related activities including leading approaches to market, development of procurement documentation, advising on contracting mechanisms and contract tailoring.

Our Ideal Candidate

We are a dynamic organisation seeking individuals who are self-motivated, proactive, and driven to deliver results in a fast-paced and complex environment. We value people who take initiative, work independently with sound judgment, and are energised by the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to a once-in-a-lifetime national program.

Our ideal candidates are confident in setting their own direction, managing competing priorities, and collaborating effectively to achieve strategic outcomes.Our ideal candidate will bring the following attributes and skills to the role:

• Demonstrated skills and experience in complex procurement and contracting.
• Proven ability to understand strategic objectives and translate them into outcomes-focused deliverables.
• Strong experience and well-developed skills in the preparation of briefs, reports and advice.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to influence and engage stakeholders effectively.
• Demonstrated experience in developing, guiding and supporting a high performing and cohesive team to deliver against strategic outcomes within strict deadlines and competing priorities.
• Ability to cultivate and maintain productive, professional relationships with senior leaders and stakeholders across an integrated workforce.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise a high degree of independence with sound decision making and judgement in providing project advice.
• Experience in complex problem solving and issues management to support decisions that impact strategic, political or operational outcomes.

Application Closing Date:
Sunday 30 November 2025

For further information please review the job information pack, reference
ASA/08911/25
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