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Contracts & Program Delivery Senior Manager | National R&D and Industry Services Organisation

Join a national industry body investing annually into research, biosecurity programs and market development. As the business continues to scale and mature, we are seeking a Contracts & Program Delivery Senior Manager to lead the contract lifecycle across a large and diverse portfolio of research and service delivery partners.

This is an 18-month contract with strong potential to go permanent. You’ll play a key role in strengthening commercial practice, improving processes, and supporting better outcomes for the industry stakeholders.

The Opportunity

This role oversees the end-to-end contract management process across approximately 1,000 active contracts, ranging from major, multi-year research programs to smaller project grants. You’ll lead a team responsible for tender evaluation, contract drafting, milestone management, compliance and ongoing contract performance.

This is not project delivery or hands-on research. Instead, you will work closely with internal industry teams, scientists, delivery partners and universities to ensure contracts are well-structured, well-managed and aligned to intended program outcomes.

There is already a baseline structure in place, however there is opportunity to lift commercial discipline, streamline processes, and implement recommendations from a recent operating review.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead contract lifecycle management from tender through close-out, including evaluation, drafting, negotiation and milestone oversight
• Strengthen commercial review and contract structuring to improve clarity, accountability and performance
• Oversee contract governance, compliance and reporting across a complex stakeholder network
• Guide and mentor a team across contract admin, procurement and milestone management
• Partner with internal R&D and industry teams to ensure contract activities align with investment plans and stakeholder expectations
• Support the implementation of process and system improvements, including digitisation of standard contracts
• Provide forecasting insights and input into investment planning and expenditure reporting

About You

• Proven experience in contract management or commercial delivery roles
• Experience in Procurement with a heavy contract bent
• Able to manage contract portfolios at scale, ideally with varied contract value and complexity
• Strong commercial judgement, with the ability to improve practices without disrupting delivery
• Confident working with technical or specialist stakeholders and guiding them through process
• Comfortable balancing compliance with pragmatic, fit-for-purpose solutions
• Leadership experience and the ability to mentor a capable, long-tenured team
• Industry backgrounds that work well include: industrial, manufacturing, engineering, services, government-linked, research, agriculture or NFP

Why Join?

• 18-month contract with strong likelihood of permanency
• Salary: $200,000 + Super + Not-for-Profit salary packaging benefits
• Hybrid work: 2–3 days in the office
• Work with purpose, delivering programs that directly benefit Australian growers and industry
• Collaborative and supportive culture with secure statutory funding

If you’re a commercial-minded contract leader who can balance structure with pragmatism and enjoys working across a broad and meaningful stakeholder landscape, this is a rare opportunity to shape the future of contract delivery for a growing national industry organisation. Please apply via the link or reach out to Dave Goldbach at daveg@axr.com.au.

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