Contract Manager

Icon Water is an iconic Canberra business with a history of providing essential services to Canberra for over 100 years.

We are the ACT’s supplier of essential water and wastewater services and have proudly served our community for over 100 years – sourcing, treating and supplying water, and managing Canberra’s wastewater network. Our work is essential to the health, prosperity and liveability of the region, and we are committed to environmental, social and financial sustainability in everything we do.

Icon Water is a purpose driven organisation where everyone contributes to our core business, ensuring high quality drinking water and sustainable wastewater treatment. Icon Water’s culture is driven by our values of care, connection, community and courage. These are values we see in action every day as we challenge ourselves to meet the expectations of our community.

Icon Water is an Equal Opportunity Employer which values diversity and inclusion. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, people with disabilities, people from culturally diverse backgrounds and all ages. We also have a strong focus on gender balance within the organisation and encourage women to apply.

About this role

Working in the Integrated Program Management Office (IPMO), the Contract Manager has primary responsibility for leading the commercial and contractual management across Icon Water’s infrastructure programs and projects and their long-term strategic sourcing arrangements, including the Major Projects Delivery Program, the Network Project Delivery Program and the Professional Engineering Services Program of work. This role will focus on contract performance, contract management, risk and claims management to enhance business and commercial outcomes.

Other Key Responsibilities Include

• Serve as the contract manager of multiple large, long term and strategic sourcing arrangements for complex engineering and construction programs (Primary Agreements) that include Major Projects Program Delivery Agreement (approximately $500m-$1b value over 10 years), Professional Engineering Services Agreement (approximately $50-$120m value over 10 years); and Network Delivery Program Agreements (once established).
• Lead and implement contract management and support mechanisms including contract management plans, regular reporting for contract governance forums, and guidance and templates to maintain contract governance controls for the Primary Agreements.
• Lead commercial risk evaluations and active management of Primary Agreements including identifying and mitigating potential risks in contractual agreements.
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with the delivery partners under the Primary Agreements.
• Provide strategic and expert advice and support the project teams delivering individual projects under the Primary Agreements to ensure contractual compliance and sound commercial decisions.
• Drive, monitor and manage contract delivery performance under the Primary Agreements against contractual deliverables and performance measures in alignment with organisational strategy and make recommendations for contract variations, renewals, extensions, or terminations.
• Lead or co-ordinate claims strategy including supporting Icon Water’s representatives at meetings involving complex and high-risk commercial disputes and negotiations.
• Establish and maintain strong working relationships and collaborate with cross-functional teams to support the effective delivery of procurement, commercial, contractual, legal and probity advice for the Major Projects Delivery Program (MPDP), the Network Project Delivery Program (NPDP) and Professional Engineering Services Agreement (PESA).
• Draft notifications and assist with negotiating contract departures, variations, extensions of time, adjustment events, defects, securities, Liquidated Damages (LDs) and related commercial items to ensure value for money is attained and Icon Water’s commercial position is maintained.
• Working with the project delivery teams, as well as procurement, commercial finance business partnering and legal teams, facilitate procurement activities in accordance with the Primary Agreements and Icon Water’s procurement framework, including engaging with the market, conducting reference checks, coordinating financial viability assessments, and facilitating contract executions.
• Other duties as required within the employee’s skills, competence and training.

Who we are looking for: We are looking for suitable candidates who hold relevant tertiary qualifications in Contract Management, Project Management, Business, Law or related discipline is preferred but not mandatory.

You should also have the following experience:

• A minimum of ten years’ experience in complex contract management, for example, collaborative contracting, engineering design and construction, panels and partnering arrangements.
• Knowledge and experience in major contract administration and management including commercial support activities for large value and highly complex programs of work.
• Experience presenting complicated business and policy information in a succinct and clear manner to all levels of management.

To find out more about the role you can view the detailed Position Description here or on the Icon Waters Career Portal.

You can also contact ***email_hidden*** via email for further information.

Please submit your resume and cover letter detailing your claims for this position through our Careers Portal by 8th June 2026.

If you’re ready to make a real impact and be part of a company that values your expertise, apply now.