Senior Contracts Adviser - Australian Operations Logistics, Subsea IMR

Our client a Global Oil and Gas Operator in Perth CBD are currently seeking a Senior Contracts Adviser - Australian Operations Logistics, Subsea IMR to join them for a 24 month contract.
The Senior Contracts Adviser is a key member of the Australian Operations Logistics contracts team responsible for driving commercial outcomes in the Subsea and Pipelines Inspection, Maintenance and Repair (IMR) category.
The successful candidate will be responsible for leading the delivery of pre- and post-award contracting activities, leveraging advanced negotiation expertise and stakeholder influence to deliver value, manage risk, and align with Woodside governance and business objectives.
The Australian Operations Logistics contracts team is a critical business function which supports Woodside’s operating assets throughout the contracting lifecycle.
Duties and Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Lead end-to-end contracting activities across assigned portfolios, from strategy through to execution and close-out.
• Develop and execute Category Strategies and Sourcing Plans aligned to business objectives.
• Prepare and manage key deliverables, including ITTs / RFQs, tender evaluation plans, negotiation plans, and contract approval documentation.
• Ensure contracts, purchase orders, and call-offs comply with Woodside procedures and governance requirements.
• Identify and realise commercial value and cost optimisation opportunities across the portfolio.
• Lead complex commercial negotiations with suppliers.
• Ensure contract terms and commercial structures are risk-appropriate and defensible.
• Support the development of business cases for key commercial decisions (aligned to senior capability expectations).
• Act as the primary commercial interface for key internal stakeholders.
• Influence decision-making through credible commercial advice and insight.
• Partner with key stakeholders (Legal, Finance, Tax, HSE) and other functions to ensure integrated outcomes.
• Enable alignment across cross-functional teams during sourcing and contracting activities.
• Ability to be flexible and assist in the management of different categories and/or team member portfolios to support business demand.

Key Skills and Experience Required:

• Hold a degree qualification in Business, Commerce or Law.
• Minimum 6 years’ experience in either a legal role, category specialist role or contracts advisory role.
• Experience with the negotiation of standard energy industry contracts including general conditions containing ‘knock-for-knock’ indemnity regimes, limitations of liability, IP and confidentiality clauses.
• Ability to draft first-pass responses to contractor clarifications while working closely with internal legal advisors to negotiate and resolve issues.
• Experience with a full tender life cycle, specifically within the strategy and pre-award stage.

• Effective written, presentation and verbal communication skills across all internal and external levels.
• Strong negotiation skills.
• Demonstrate people and stakeholder management skills.
• Effective decision-making in the presence of uncertainty and risk, while considering and balancing business dimensions, for example, technical, cost, and schedule.
• A passionate, resilient, and flexible individual who thrives while working on demanding projects.

With over 90 years' combined experience, NES Fircroft (NES) is proud to be the world's leading engineering staffing provider spanning the Oil & Gas, Power & Renewables, Chemicals, Construction & Infrastructure, Life Sciences, Mining and Manufacturing sectors worldwide. With more than 80 offices in 45 countries, we are able to provide our clients with the engineering and technical expertise they need, wherever and whenever it is needed. We offer contractors far more than a traditional recruitment service, supporting with everything from securing visas and work permits, to providing market-leading benefits packages and accommodation, ensuring they are safely and compliantly able to support our clients.