Contract Administrator (6 month Contract)

Eastern is seeking an experienced Contract Administrator to join our team for an exciting and technically challenging project in Canberra, with an immediate start available.

The Contracts Administrator (CA) plays a critical role in managing the commercial and administrative side of construction projects. Reporting to the Project Manager (PM) and working closely with the Site and Project teams, the CA ensures timely procurement, contract management, and financial tracking across the project lifecycle. 

This role supports the smooth onboarding of subcontractors, maintains accurate project records, and ensures key documentation and cost controls are in place—from project commencement to handover. 

Roles and Responsibilities:  

Procurement & Subcontractor Engagement: 

• Manage procurement timelines by letting subcontractor packages according to the Construction program. 

• Issue tender packages, negotiate terms, and award subcontracts using Premier

• Ensure all subcontractors have supplied and understand and sign standard form contract. 

• Complete formal onboarding of subcontractors, ensuring all insurances (e.g. Public Liability, Workers Compensation), SWMS, and licences are submitted and valid before site access. 

• Ensure subcontractors are added to Premier with correct trade, ABN, and user permissions. 

Project Cost control & Finance: 

• Prepare and maintain accurate project cash flow forecasts using Premier

• Process all subcontractor progress claims by the 25th of each month, validating against contract scope and site progress. 

• Prepare Head Contract progress claims, including required attachments like statutory declarations. 

• Draft and track subcontractor variations and change events, ensuring commercial risk is minimised and client approvals are obtained where needed. 

• Create and update project budgets and commitments in Premier, ensuring alignment with approved cost plans. 

Contract Administration & Documentation: 

• Draft formal project documentation (e.g. Extensions of Time, Notices of Delay, Notices of Variation) for PM review and issuance. 

• Upload and maintain current construction documentation (IFC drawings, specifications) within Procore to ensure real-time site access to the latest revisions. 

• Ensure all project communication is captured and filed via the Premier project email for record-keeping and audit purposes. 

• Set up project locations, budgets, and trade packages in Premier during the project setup phase. 

Quality, Handover & Compliance: 

• Assist in compiling commissioning records, compliance certificates, and building approval documents, and support the PM and HOTO team in finalising handover documentation to meet occupancy permit requirements and client deliverables for submission to the relevant Building Surveyor (RBS). 

• Record lessons learned and subcontractor performance feedback following project completion; update subcontractor records in Premier accordingly. 

Skills and Attributes: 

Organisation and Time Management:  

Proactively manage procurement, variation timelines, claim cycles, and reporting deadlines in alignment with Construction programs. 

Communication Skills:  

Maintain clear and professional communication across internal teams, subcontractors, and consultants. Represent standards in all correspondence and meetings. 

Proficiency in Software Tools:  

Operate confidently within Premier using these tools for procurement, budget control, project tracking, and compliance management. 

Attention to Detail:  

Ensure documentation is accurate, up-to-date, and aligned with contract and compliance requirements. 

Financial Awareness:  

Understand project margins, risk management, and forecasting. Use this knowledge to protect the commercial interests of the business throughout project delivery. 

Proactive Problem solving: 

Identify delays or issues early and escalate appropriately with proposed solutions.  

Collaboration:  

Foster strong working relationships with Site Supervisors, Project Managers, external consultants, and subcontractors to support project success.