Senior Commercial Manager

At HKA, you’ll work with project owners, contractors and infrastructure investors across asset-heavy industries including Energy, Water, Transport, Resources and Data Centres, delivering complex programs reliably, on time and on budget.

We support clients across the capital lifecycle, from setting major programs up for success, through commercial advisory and supply chain engagement, to delivery assurance during execution. You’ll contribute across this spectrum, combining strategic advice, capability building and hands-on support.

What sets HKA apart is where we’ve come from. We’re globally recognised for claims and dispute resolution when projects don’t go to plan. That experience shapes how we work day to day, grounded in what actually happens on projects.

You’ll be part of a team helping clients make better decisions, deliver more reliably and avoid costly missteps. Work with experienced practitioners on real challenges, with early responsibility and tangible impact.

As part of the HKA team you can expect:

• The opportunity to work on high-profile projects across diverse sectors including water, energy, renewable energy and transport infrastructure.

• Access to a global network of industry experts, within a collaborative and supportive culture that values knowledge sharing.

• A robust learning and development program, including training and mentoring designed to develop your skills and leadership capabilities in a dynamic, international environment.

The Opportunity

We are looking for a Senior Commercial Manager to join our Advisory team based in Sydney. You will be an experienced commercial manager, able to hit the ground running and work autonomously.

Your responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• Lead the day‑to‑day execution of projects, applying technical expertise, industry insight and commercial acumen to drive optimised project outcomes for our clients

• Provide strategic, commercially focused guidance to shape the development, management and successful delivery of contracts within major infrastructure portfolios, programs, and projects.

• Oversee complex assessments, Deep Dives and contract negotiations, including the management of claims and variations.

• Evaluate RFT submissions and upstream/downstream contracts, identifying risks and implementing effective mitigation strategies.

• Manage project, commercial and contract activities throughout construction, ensuring alignment with client objectives and full compliance with contractual obligations.

• Champion the enhancement and transformation of project, program and portfolio management capabilities, standardising processes and elevating overall performance.

• Provide support to the Lead Commercial Manager whilst guiding and leading commercial team members

Skills and Experience

We’re looking for a commercially astute professional with a strong track record in project, contract and commercial delivery. Ideally, you will bring the following:

• 10+ years of proven post-contract commercial delivery experience, managing upstream and downstream risks and experience supporting the front-end tender phase and early stages of projects, within a client, Tier 1 or contractor environment.

• Experience within water, energy and renewable energy projects is highly desirable.

• Strong commercial acumen skills and the ability to influence decision makers and drive outcomes.

• Expertise in contract administration, with solid knowledge of contract frameworks. Experience working with NEC contracts is advantageous.

• Claims and dispute experience desirable, including building, negotiating and defending claims effectively.

• Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills, with a demonstrated ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments and deliver positive outcomes.

• Proven experience collaborating with cost and forecasting teams to contribute to strategic and operational solutions.

What we offer:

At HKA we recognise that our people are critical to our ongoing success. Our priority is to provide an inclusive and collaborative culture aimed at providing the best opportunities for our people to thrive and develop in their chosen career path.

We operate a flexible working pattern both in terms of hours and location and are happy with flexible remote working. Our Global Recruitment team is committed to providing an authentic candidate experience for all those who take the time to apply to HKA. We are committed to providing an efficient and insightful recruitment process giving candidates a true reflection of life at HKA. We are committed to responding to all applicants who apply by the closing date.

ED&I at HKA:

HKA has a thriving ED&I committee working hard to provide an inclusive and welcoming environment for a truly diverse set of employees. We are committed as a business on the continued improvement of our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion strategy, please visit our website for further information or feel free to ask our recruitment team for further information. 

All HKA employment decisions are firstly made on merit and shall be made without regard to age, disability, gender or gender reassignment, marriage, and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation, or any other basis in compliance with local legislation.

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