Commercial Manager

Your Impact  

As Commercial Manager based in Melbourne, you will report to the Associate Commercial Director and play a key role within the Development team, driving the commercial performance of AirTrunk's hyperscale data centre projects. You will focus on cost reporting, forecasting, supplier negotiations, variations, claims assessment and proactive commercial risk management to help secure strong project outcomes. Working closely with teams and leadership across APJ, you will make your mark in a number of ways: 

• You will own project commercial management inputs, including cost reporting, forecast accuracy, commitments, variations and final account outcomes; 
• You will lead commercial negotiations with General Contractors and Suppliers, balancing cost, programme, risk and stakeholder priorities; 
• You will act as a trusted commercial advisor to internal stakeholders, providing clear guidance on claims, cost risks, mitigation options and negotiation strategy. 

What you'll do 

• Lead day-to-day commercial management across assigned projects, including cost reporting, forecasts, commitments, purchase orders and cost-to-complete inputs 
• Drive negotiations with General Contractors, OSE vendors and key suppliers to achieve competitive, practical and risk-balanced commercial outcomes 
• Assess variations, claims, payment applications and commercial correspondence, ensuring recommendations are robust, fair and aligned to project strategy 
• Identify, quantify and proactively manage commercial risks and opportunities across the full project lifecycle, escalating material issues with clear options 
• Support procurement and approval workflows, ensuring scope, budget, approvals and commercial intent are aligned before commitments are made 
• Partner with Development, Finance, Legal and delivery teams to provide clear, practical advice on cost, claims, risk allocation, governance and mitigation 
• Monitor project commercial performance, highlight trends and exposures, and help drive actions that protect budget, programme and project outcomes 
• Improve commercial reporting, negotiation playbooks, governance processes and lessons learned to increase consistency and discipline 

What you'll bring  

• Proven experience in commercial management, quantity surveying or cost management within complex construction, engineering or development environments 
• Strong capability in cost reporting, forecasting, cost-to-complete management, procurement support, variations and claims assessment 
• Experience leading commercial negotiations with General Contractors, major vendors or key suppliers across the project lifecycle 
• Certificate or degree in Quantity Surveying, Engineering, Construction Management, Business/Commerce, Law or related discipline 
• Strong commercial acumen, high attention to detail and the ability to balance cost, risk, programme and practical business outcomes 
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication and influencing skills, with a collaborative style across cultures and geographies 

Include 4 key must-have criteria for this role (completed by Hiring Manager, not published externally) 

• Demonstrated experience owning commercial outcomes in complex construction, engineering or development projects 
• Strong cost reporting, forecasting, cost-to-complete, variations and claims assessment capability 
• Proven ability to negotiate with General Contractors, major vendors and key suppliers to secure value and manage risk 
• Clear, concise communicator who can influence Development, Finance, Legal and delivery stakeholders to achieve strong project outcomes