Contracts & Commercial Manager

Title:

• Greenfield Copper & Gold Mining Project — Adelaide Office Based, travel to site (Yorke Peninsula) required as execution ramps up

• Senior Owner’s Team leadership role shaping commercial outcomes from development through construction and commissioning

• End‑to‑end commercial accountability across EPCM‑managed and Owner‑managed packages

Project Summary:

Rex Minerals is an Australian mining company dedicated to the development of its flagship A$1.0B Copper-Gold Hillside Project located on the Yorke Peninsula in South Australia. The project will be a significant contributor to the South Australian economy and is providing employment opportunities for locals and for those looking to move to the area.

Hillside is in a highly attractive regional location approximately 150km from Adelaide and is one of the largest copper/gold projects under development in Australia. The project is fully approved and early-stage site access work, major Highway diversions, site utilities and awarding of contracts and building the team to execute the project has commenced.

KBR is a global provider of full life cycle professional services supporting clients in delivery of major projects like Hillside and is providing expertise as part of an Integrated Owners team delivering the Project on behalf of Rex Minerals.

About the role:

The Contracts & Commercial Manager (Owner’s Team) is accountable for end‑to‑end commercial leadership across the Hillside Project. Reporting to the Project Director, this role establishes and drives the project’s commercial strategy, contracting and procurement governance, and disciplined contract administration practices.

The role spans EPCM‑managed and Owner‑managed work packages, ensuring robust risk allocation, cost control, change and claims management, and strong commercial governance that protects project value while enabling safe and efficient execution.

This is a key leadership role within the Owner’s Team, working closely with project leadership, EPCM counterparts, contractors, and corporate stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain the Project Commercial Strategy, including contracting models, packaging, sourcing approach, risk allocation, incentives, and negotiation principles

• Establish and enforce fit‑for‑purpose commercial governance and procedures covering tendering, evaluations, approvals, change management, payments, and contract close‑out

• Lead and oversee tendering, negotiation and award of major supply and construction contracts across EPCM and Owner‑managed scopes

• Provide clear commercial leadership to package teams, ensuring consistent contracting standards and alignment with project objectives

• Own the project’s commercial change control framework, including entitlement assessment, impact analysis, approvals, and proactive claims management

• Manage variations, extensions of time, claims, and dispute avoidance strategies with a firm but collaborative approach

• Partner with Project Controls and Finance to ensure accurate commitments, forecasts, cashflow, and commercial reporting

• Identify, quantify, and actively manage commercial risks and opportunities, embedding them into contract strategy and project risk processes

• Act as the primary commercial interface across the Owner’s Team, EPCM partner, contractors, suppliers, legal, and governance stakeholders

• Ensure commercial records, approvals, and correspondence are audit‑ready and fully traceable

Skills & Experience Required:

Essential

• Significant experience (typically 12+ years) in commercial, contracts, or procurement leadership on major capital projects (mining, heavy industry, infrastructure), including greenfield delivery

• Demonstrated success leading tendering, negotiation, contract award, and administration of large and complex work packages

• Strong capability in change management, claims management, and dispute avoidance

• Tertiary qualification in Quantity Surveying, Commerce, Law, Engineering, or equivalent experience

• Successful incumbents must reside in South Australia for the duration of the project.

Desirable

• Experience working within an Owner’s Team or integrated Owner/EPCM delivery model

• Exposure to copper or base‑metals projects and construction/commercial interfaces

• Familiarity with project controls integration (commitments, trends, forecasting) and contract intelligence systems

• Professional certifications (e.g. RICS, MCIPS, contract law/principles training)

Why Join Us?

• Senior Owner’s Team role on one of Australia’s most significant greenfield copper projects

• Opportunity to shape commercial strategy and governance from early execution through delivery

• Work within an integrated Owner / EPCM environment with strong influence and visibility

• Competitive remuneration aligned to experience

• Full‑time, project‑based role with long‑term execution horizon

KBR Values:

Our KBR Values - We Value Our People, We Deliver, We Are People of Integrity, We Empower, We Are a Team of Teams - embody our people centric organisation.

Our culture, and our genuine focus on our people is a major factor in our success and we want you to be part of our journey. 

Help shape tomorrow by applying today!

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to leave your impact on our society with one of Australia’s leading infrastructure businesses. Apply now and follow us on LinkedIn to stay up to date with all the latest news and job opportunities.

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