Title:  Contract Manager Franchise and Passenger

About Us 

The Department of Transport and Planning oversees key planning, transport and land use policy decisions and management across the State. A life-cycle approach to planning, building, connecting and sustaining communities means our people can come together to; improve services, deliver sustainable projects, focus on customer engagement, streamline regulatory approval pathways, facilitate community consultation and better realise local economic opportunities for more liveable communities across Victoria. 

Public Transport is a group within the Department of Transport and Planning, and is responsible and accountable for the management and performance of today’s Victorian heavy and light rail, tram, bus and interurban coach networks. We manage franchisees, operators, contracts, leases, assets and projects, ensure compliance, provide assurance and enable collaboration across the Department of Transport and Planning to optimise customer outcomes and value for money.  

We’re focused on outcomes that deliver more choice, connections and confidence in our travel, ensuring the whole transport network works as one to deliver better services and outcomes. 

About the Role 

The Department of Transport and Planning is seeking an experienced Contract Manager to lead the contract and commercial management of the MR5 tram contract, focusing on Franchise and Passenger Experience Modules.  

This role ensures compliance with contract obligations, provides expert advice, and drives the delivery of key reform areas. Responsibilities include preparing contractual advice, tracking deliverables, analysing performance data, and supporting funding bids. The role also represents the Metropolitan Tram team in MR5 governance forums. It’s ideal for a strategic leader committed to improving public transport outcomes, fostering a high-performance culture, and aligning with DTP’s values of inclusion and service excellence. 

 To access the Position Description, please click here. 

Position Outcomes / Accountabilities  

1. Project Management - Manage and oversee contract assurance, performance and reporting obligations for passenger experience, ensuring appropriate work processes and procedures are followed to effectively manage the franchise and operator contracts. 

2. Strategy – Support the Associate Director – Contract and Commercial (Tram) lead the contract and commercial functions of the Franchise Module and Passenger Experience Module of the tram MR5 contract  

3. Operator Compliance – Manage assurance and performance obligations for the Franchise Module and Passenger Experience Module of the MR5 contract and develop performance data and metrics to provide regular detailed performance reporting. Effective oversight and proactive management of Yarra Trams franchise ensuring compliance with contractual, legislative and regulatory obligations.  

4. Financial Assurance - Oversee financial assurance of franchise agreement programs and payments associated with the Franchise Module Passenger Module of the MR5 contract, as well as relevant budget and escrow management.  

5. Authoritative Advice – High quality, authoritative strategic, commercial and contractual advice provided to support transport portfolio objectives and respond to emerging and/or complex issues.  

6. Contractual Correspondence and Briefings – Manage contractual correspondence and lead the preparation of briefings and other memoranda including Possible Parliamentary Questions (PPQs) Public Accounts and Estimates Committee (PAEC)'s, Ministerial Correspondences.  

7. Continuous Improvement – Contribute to continuous improvement, ensuring that appropriate governance, justification, documentation and record keeping are in line with the requirements of the operator agreements and other related documents. 

8. Stakeholder Management – Engage and work collaboratively with key internal and external stakeholders, including DTP Safety and Accessibility in order to ensure Yarra Trams’ performance against its contractual obligations are effectively monitored.  

9. Leadership – Provide effective leadership and support of staff, and lead in a dynamic and constantly changing environment to deliver sustained and well prioritised outcomes. Staff are engaged with high levels of cohesion, motivation and commitment and are delivering on the services required  

Key Selection Criteria –  

We’re seeking a results-driven professional to join our team in a key leadership role supporting the delivery of critical outcomes for Victoria’s public transport network. As the ideal candidate, you will bring demonstrated resource management expertise, including robust line management experience and a strong ability to deliver team and organisational objectives by providing the necessary direction, guidance, and support. You will play a central role in driving innovation, delivering complex projects, and managing high-level stakeholder relationships across the transport sector to further the objectives of the MR5 Franchise Agreement with Yarra Trams. Your ability to analyse problems, apply sound judgement, and translate strategic priorities into effective delivery will be essential. You’ll have a strong focus on continuous improvement, underpinned by experience in designing and embedding systems that lift performance and deliver sustained value. Exceptional communication and influencing skills are key, along with the confidence to engage and negotiate with a broad range of stakeholders to build support and resolve complex issues. A high level of commercial acumen is essential, including the ability to interpret complex contractual frameworks—ideally within an outsourced delivery model in the transport industry. If you're ready to make a meaningful impact and lead with purpose, we’d love to hear from you. 

Personal Attributes – 

The ideal candidate is adaptable, resilient, and thrives in dynamic environments. They remain calm under pressure, make clear decisions in uncertainty, and foster strong teamwork. With a positive, can-do attitude and high energy, they embrace change, contribute proactively, and support a collaborative, forward-thinking culture. 

Qualifications and Experience 

Mandatory  

• Experience in the oversight and management of complex commercial contracts, including management of contract deliverables and customer service delivery and performance management in a live operating environment.  

• A strong understanding of the principles of contract and commercial management and assurance.  

• An advanced level of professional writing skills  

• Experience in working with senior leaders internally and externally.  

• Proficient user of the Microsoft suite of products.  

Desirable  

• Tertiary qualification in law, contract management, accounting or a related discipline.  

• An understanding of the public transport environment would be highly advantageous.  

What we offer 

• Meaningful work making Victorian communities more accessible and liveable  

• Professional growth and development opportunities across the department and the wider Victorian Public Services 

• A hybrid working model focused on collaboration and teamwork 

• Optimal work-life balance initiatives including flexible working arrangements 

• Opportunity to work across multiple urban and suburban hubs 

• We prioritise the development of a safe and inclusive culture 

Culture Value 

We are an equal opportunity employer, embracing a diverse range of applicants such as veterans, and people who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, LGBTQIA community members, individuals with disabilities and/or health conditions, as well as those from varied faith and cultural backgrounds. At our department, we prioritize the development of a safe, inclusive, and high-performance culture through shared actions and behaviours that align with our strategy and direction. This empowers our employees to effectively contribute to our goals. 

How to Apply