Contract Management Coordinator
About the Opportunity
The Contract Management Coordinator oversees the full lifecycle of subcontract coordination, administration, and governance for Austal Ships under the LCH Program. The role serves as the commercial link between Austal Ships and Austal Defence, ensuring subcontract obligations are correctly flowed down, aligned with head contract terms, and managed to protect Austal Ships’ commercial interests. Although not the headâcontract owner, the position holds delegated authority for subcontract governance, including performance oversight, risk management, and commercial compliance across the shipbuilding scope.
About Austal
Austal is Australia’s global shipbuilder, Defence prime contractor, and maritime technology partner of choice. We design, construct, and support defence and commercial vessels for the world’s leading operators with operations spanning Australia, the USA, Philippines, and Vietnam.
Under the Strategic Shipbuilding Agreement, Austal is leading a new era of continuous naval shipbuilding in Western Australia. We’re driving innovation, supporting sovereign capability, and creating long-term opportunities for Australian industry and workers.
Learn more at austal.com/ssa
This is your opportunity to contribute to projects of national significance. The maritime is now.
What’s Involved
- Coordinate endâtoâend subcontract governance and ensure accurate flowâdown of ADA head subcontract obligations
- Maintain full traceability across all contractual layers and protect Austal Ships’ commercial position
- Act as the primary commercial interface between Austal Defence and Austal Ships for subcontract matters
- Manage contractual correspondence, change requests and technical directions impacting shipbuilding
- Assess and communicate commercial impacts of design, schedule and scope changes
- Lead subcontract change and variation management, including preparation, assessment and commercial impact analysis
- Support supplier negotiations in partnership with Supply Chain
- Shape subcontract strategy and ensure risk allocation aligns with head contract requirements
- Embed key commercial protections (LDs, warranties, IP, indemnities) into supplier agreements
- Maintain subcontract risk registers and identify emerging commercial exposures
- Support disputeâavoidance and issueâresolution activities
- Monitor subcontract financial performance, validate milestone claims and support forecasting
- Prepare commercial status reports and maintain contract registers and document control
- Support audit, review and assurance activities
- Drive continuous improvement in subcontract management processes
You’ll Need
Essential
- 5+ years’ experience in contract or commercial roles within Defence, shipbuilding, or complex engineering programs
- Demonstrated experience administering complex contracts
- Experience managing subcontractor commercial risk
- Strong understanding of backâtoâback contracting principles
- Experience supporting contract negotiations
- Strong financial literacy and costâinterpretation capability
- Strong analytical and problemâsolving skills with high attention to detail
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams
Desirable
- Experience administering ASDEFCONâbased contracts
- Experience working within Tier 1 subcontractor environments
- Exposure to multiâentity contracting structures
- Experience supporting disputeâresolution processes
- Current or previous Australian Government Security Clearance (Baseline or higher)
Why Join Us?
- Competitive compensation and benefits package.
- Professional development and training opportunities.
- A supportive and dynamic work environment.
- Opportunities for career advancement within our growing organisation.
At Austal we are committed to providing a safe and inclusive work environment for all. We believe that achieving greater diversity will enhance our operations and as such we actively encourage Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders, people of all backgrounds, ages, sexual orientation, and those with Disability to apply.
Learn more at Careers at Austal Australia | Austal: Australia