Senior Contract Manager

Optus is an Australian telecommunications company, delivering more than 11 million services to our customers every day across mobile, broadband and digital solutions.

Help shape the future of Optus’ network by leading the commercial and contractual strategy behind our most critical strategic suppliers. As our Associate Director, Partner & Contract Management, you’ll play a pivotal role in securing value, protecting commercial outcomes, and ensuring our vendor partnerships deliver for our customers and our long‑term strategy.

In this senior role, you’ll oversee a portfolio of major network vendors with significant contracted spend. You’ll lead commercial negotiations, manage complex variations, and drive contract performance across capital intensive programs, operational agreements, and licensing contracts.

This is a highly visible position working closely with senior leaders across Networks, Procurement, Legal, Risk and Finance—helping shape commercial strategy, uplift vendor performance, and deliver outcomes that impact the resilience and quality of the Optus network for our customers.

What You’ll Do

• Lead the commercial contractual management of strategic network suppliers, ensuring strong commercial outcomes and value delivery.


• Negotiate complex contract variations, secure favourable terms, and resolve disputes through structured escalation and governance.


• Own the governance framework—driving executive reviews, business and performance and commercial forums, and tracking delivery against agreed plans.


• Provide expert guidance to internal stakeholders on procurement policy, risk, contract structure, and commercial strategy.


• Analyse contract performance, identify opportunities for cost optimisation, and improve return on invested capital.


• Oversee supplier lifecycle management, ensuring contracts remain current, compliant and aligned to business objectives.


• Build strong relationships with senior internal stakeholders and external vendor executives.


• Coach and support Contract Managers, uplifting capability and ensuring high‑quality commercial documentation.

What makes you perfect

• 8+ years’ experience in contract management, procurement or commercial management in a complex environment.


• Strong commercial acumen with experience negotiating high‑value, high‑complexity contracts.


• Expertise in contract drafting, governance, risk management and resolving commercial disputes.


• Ability to interpret and work within complex legal and commercial frameworks.


• Exceptional communication skills—able to clearly brief senior executives and influence outcomes.


• Skilled at managing multiple priorities, navigating competing stakeholder needs, and driving pragmatic commercial solutions.


• Collaborative, resilient, and comfortable operating at pace in a high‑visibility role. 

What's in it for you?

• Competitive remuneration and employee discounts. Make life easier (and more affordable) with $80 monthly credit and 25% off Optus products and unique shopping discounts with our retail partners.


• Flexible working arrangements with opportunities to work three days in the office, two days remote or home.


• Vibrant and collaborative office campus that includes cafes, convenience store, chill out zones, GP, post office, gym and on-site childcare centre.


• Competitive leave policies, including additional 'Connected’ days to focus on culture, family, health, community, or whatever’s important to you.


• We support growing families with inclusive, carer-neutral paid Parental Leave of up to 16 weeks.


• Direct your own development and build future-ready skills with Optus U’s industry-focused micro-credentials, developed with La Trobe and Macquarie Universities.


• Build meaningful connections through employee-led networks and diversity initiatives including Culture Connect, Elevate Women, Disability Network and Express Yourself (LGBTQIA+).


• Put your wellbeing first with free access to counselling and support services, 24/7 — in-person, by phone, SMS, or video.

At Optus, we are strengthened by others and that means valuing diversity and saying ‘yes’ to embracing individual differences. We are committed to ensuring that our application process provides an equal employment opportunity to all job seekers, including individuals from diverse gender, cultural and linguistic backgrounds, individuals with a disability, individuals identifying as being part of the LGBTQIA+ community, individuals who may have served in the armed forces or who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. We also want to do our best to make our recruitment process inclusive. If you require any adjustments or accessibility support to participate fairly and equitably in the recruitment process, please email [email protected] or call 1800 309 170. We're here to help. When you contact us, please advise your preferred method of contact and we will be in touch within 48 hours.

For more information on Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging at Optus, please visit https://www.optus.com.au/about/inclusion-diversity.