Commercial Manager - Vni West

Provide strategic leadership to a commercial team - billion dollar portfolio. Melbourne based position. Experienced in delivery under collaborative contract models. Hybrid work arrangements, excellent company culture, great benefits! The Commerical Manager VNI West will develop and implement best practices for commercial contract negotiation, tender and bid evaluations.

AEMO at the Heart of Energy

AEMO is Australia’s independent energy system and market operator and system planner.  AEMO’s purpose is to ensure safe, reliable and affordable energy today, and enable the energy transition for the benefit of all Australians.  Australian governments are now committed to a net zero economy for Australia by 2050 and our vision is to enable this.

We have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to co-design the future of our energy systems, and our core values revolve around Character, Commitment, and Connection. Join us as we contribute to this significant mission in the energy sector.

AEMO’s System Design division is responsible for planning the power system in the context of unprecedented transformation. The rapid transition to renewable energy generation and electrification of many sectors (transport, industry etc) has seen sharp rises in proposed transmission connection projects.

In Victoria, AEMO performs some of the responsibilities carried out in other states by transmission network service providers (TNSPs). The Victorian Network Services and Delivery Department is responsible for delivering Victorian TNSP obligations in relation to the delivery of regulated power system augmentations, including major projects and non-regulated projects which are delivered at the request of the Victorian Government. The department provides the commercial and procurement strategy to ensure value for money for Victorian electricity consumers balanced with timeliness. It also engages delivery partners for the services that are required to be provided and manages existing and future contracts for network services that are being provided for the shared transmission network in Victoria.

About the role Reporting to the Program Director VNI-West (Victoria to New South Wales Interconnector West), the Commercial Manager will oversee a commercial team responsible for successfully delivering excellent commercial outcomes for the VNI-West project: a major project to build a new transmission line between Victoria and New South Wales. AEMO has established a subsidiary, Transmission Company Victoria (TCV), to deliver the early works activities for the VNI West project.

The Commercial Manager provides advice to the Program Director, Vic Government, VicGrid and TCV Board in relation to appropriate resolution of commercial issues. Under the leadership of the Commercial Manager, the VNI-West Commercial team are required to work closely and collaboratively with Legal, Procurement, Project Delivery teams and Victorian Planning teams to undertake tendering, evaluation and management of multi-billion-dollar contracts.

What you will be doing

• Provide active strategic leadership and guidance to the VNI-West Commercial Team to deliver on commercial, procurement and contract management matters, ensuring consistency and best practice across a multi-billion dollar portfolio of transmission projects to be procured on behalf of the Victorian Government.
• Develop and implement best practices for commercial contract negotiation, tender and bid evaluations. Including a mechanism for continuous improvement processes, capturing lessons learnt for the commercial function.
• Support the preparation of tender documentation, bid evaluation and award of build, Own and Operate (BOO) contracts for high voltage transmission lines and downstream contracts. Lead commercial negotiation and commercial strategy.
• Provide strategic advice, recommendations and support to leadership group, Executives and Legal regarding commercial matters including the preparation and delivery of any briefings to Steering Committees, Executives or Government departments.
• During bids, provide regular, clear briefings, analyses and summaries of complex legal, technical, and commercial bid and contract issues for non-specialist audiences and executives.
• Anticipate and manage all probity issues associated with bid proposals, evaluation, and selection. Mitigating risks as required.
• Develop a high performing Project focused commercial team, inclusive of quality assurance, best practice tender and bid evaluation processes and governance structures.
• Provide governance oversight of contracts to ensure compliance to obligations, pro-active pursuit of entitlements and opportunities to maximise project profitability.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to manage project commercial matters and finances effectively.
• Develop and implement commercial strategies to support project goals.
• Coordinate and incorporate input from bid proposals, project and/or technical experts and wider team as necessary, to ensure a consistent and coherent final bid analysis against evaluation criteria.
• Manage external consultant support as required to deliver on responsibilities and accountabilities of the role and the Commercial Team.
• Analyse, coordinate, write and develop comprehensive PQQ/RFT/RFP incorporating the requirements of specifications.
• Other duties as required to support the broader business and leadership teams.

This position will transfer to VicGrid in 12-18 months and be part of a growing infrastructure development and delivery organisation, with a pipeline of work that extends beyond 2050. If you think you have transferable skills, an appetite to learn and would be a great fit, we'd love to hear from you.

What you will bring to the role

Education

• Tertiary qualification in an engineering or alternative discipline, or equivalent relevant experience.

Experience and knowledge

• Demonstrated experience in bid and tender management within a relevant industry.
• Demonstrated experience in assessing and negotiating profitable tenders in large, complex, multi-billion-dollar project delivery contracts.
• Demonstrated experience leading commercial teams contracting and delivering multi-billion dollar infrastructure projects.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with demonstrated stakeholder relationship building capabilities.
• Communicate confidently and effectively, verbally and in writing and ability to foster credible collaborative relationships.
• A confirmed working history that demonstrates excellent analytical, organisational and problem-solving abilities with the ability to prioritise and meet deadlines while maintaining a high standard of quality.
• Based in Victoria with full Australian working rights.

In return some of our benefits to you

• Flexible working: work from home, part time, job share, hybrid options, and additional leave options
• Professional development via projects, industry networks, job rotation, study assistance and more.
• Give back with up to 4 days of volunteering leave per year.
• Reward your hard work with annual performance bonuses (subject to eligibility).
• Embrace a healthier you with our wellness program, discounted health insurance, gym perks and our comprehensive Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

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