An exciting opportunity is available for an experienced Senior Commercial Manager to join Downer's Energy & Utilities business, supporting major power and renewable energy projects across Australia.
The opportunity
This Senior Commercial Manager will play a key commercial leadership role within our Power projects team and subsequently support bids and project delivery across substations, transmission lines and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). Ideally, you’re located in Adelaide, SA, however eastern state applicants are encouraged to apply.
Working closely with project, bid and operational teams, you will provide strategic commercial leadership, manage contractual risk, drive commercial excellence and support successful project outcomes across the full project lifecycle.
What you’ll do
- Leading commercial and contractual negotiations with clients, suppliers and subcontractors
- Providing expert advice on commercial strategy, risk and contract management
- Site travel will be required to support project delivery, stakeholder engagement and commercial oversight
- Supporting claims preparation, contract administration and dispute resolution
- Driving compliance with governance frameworks, project controls and commercial processes
- Managing commercial reporting, project risk and financial exposure
- Building strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders
- Supporting project bids, contract reviews and commercial handovers
- Promoting commercial capability and best practice across project team
What we offer
- Competitive remuneration with a significant ASX-listed company
- Structured career paths with the opportunity to work in different areas of the Utilities business, supported by a robust Commercial Operating Model
- A suite of health and wellness benefits and initiatives, including EAP Beyond Blue
- Retail discounts with major retailers, Dell, Good Guys, Samsung, Specsavers & ANZ
- We are a Tier 1 ASX listed company with in-house capabilities that far exceed traditional contractor
environments
What we’re looking for
- Bachelor’s degree in law, Quantity Surveying or Construction Management, or similar discipline preferred
- 10+ years commercial experience within construction projects, ideally in transmission and renewable energy sectors
- This position is ideally based in Adelaide, South Australia, however exceptional candidates located across the Eastern States will also be considered.
- Strong experience negotiating and administering complex contracts and commercial agreements
- Knowledge of project management, contract management, risk management and financial management principles
- Proven ability to identify, assess and manage project risks and opportunities
- Demonstrated success building relationships with key stakeholders and leading commercial outcomes
- Excellent negotiation, conflict resolution and communication skills
- Strong commercial acumen and understanding of relevant legislation and contractual frameworks
- A collaborative leadership style with a focus on continuous improvement and commercial excellence
About Energy & Utilities
Downer's Energy & Utilities business unit is an integrated trans-Tasman team, providing services and solutions that connect communities to essential networks and infrastructure. We design, build, operate and maintain today's critical assets and networks, delivering complete services across the water, electricity, telecommunications, industrial and power generation sectors. Our expertise spans in-house technical smarts, specialist engineering, integrated OEM partners, and dedicated crews of qualified tradespeople.
Downer Group is an employer that acknowledges and embraces the importance of our people's diverse experiences, talents, and cultures. As an inclusive employer, we welcome applications from everyone.
How to apply
Click "Apply" to start your application. We look forward to hearing from you! Downer does not accept unsolicited resumes, fees, or costs from recruitment agencies, search firms, or third parties. Candidates are welcome to submit their applications via the advertisement.
Skills Required
- Bachelor’s degree in law, quantity surveying, construction management, or a similar discipline
- 10+ years of commercial experience within construction projects
- Experience in transmission and renewable energy sectors
- Strong experience negotiating and administering complex contracts and commercial agreements
- Knowledge of project management, contract management, risk management, and financial management principles
- Ability to identify, assess, and manage project risks and opportunities
- Demonstrated success building stakeholder relationships and leading commercial outcomes
- Excellent negotiation, conflict resolution, and communication skills
- Strong commercial acumen and understanding of relevant legislation and contractual frameworks
- Collaborative leadership style focused on continuous improvement and commercial excellence
Downer Group Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Downer Group and has not been reviewed or approved by Downer Group.
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Strong & Reliable Incentives — Overtime, penalty rates, and structured allowances are often viewed as strong earners that lift overall compensation, particularly in field and trade roles.
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Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits — Wellbeing resources such as a 24/7 EAP, mental-health support, health checks, flu vaccinations, and retail discounts are consistently highlighted as valuable parts of the package.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Leave options include parental leave and domestic-violence leave, contributing to a broader benefits offering across different life stages.
Downer Group Insights
What We Do
Downer Group is a leading provider of integrated infrastructure services across Australia and New Zealand, operating in sectors such as transport, utilities, facilities, and defense.
