Title:  Senior Commercial Officer

About us

We create thriving places and connected communities. We bring together transport, planning, land use, precinct and policy functions in a single department to deliver the best outcomes for Victorians.  

Together with our portfolio agencies, we are responsible for planning, building, operating and maintaining Victoria’s transport, planning and land services for use by all.  

We foster a safe, inclusive and constructive place to work.

About the group

Investment and Technology leads and manages the investment lifecycle; drives commercial advice & negotiations to facilitate reform; and enables core delivery through Finance, Procurement & Enterprise Technology.

About the role

The Senior Commercial Officer will provide analytical support and advice working with various workstreams and stakeholders in undertaking procurement strategy, project admin, analysis and transactions management. 

Key elements of the role will include undertaking transaction management function for procurements from time to time, including setting up data room, interactives and other processes in addition to providing analytical support through all the project phases. In addition, the role will also include managing external suppliers, analysing contract payments, managing project budgets, monthly reporting and forecasting, as well as leading smaller advisory procurement activities to support the Project.

This will include developing project options, preparing high-quality transaction documents including Request for Tender for project consultant requirements, engaging with industry, project management, procurement and management of external advisers (including technical, legal and commercial), reporting, leading and managing governance processes, and general commercial advice that delivers long term high-value public transport contracts such as for bus operations, transport data  systems and a wide range of other public transport related service contracts in Victoria.

The successful applicant will have proven experience in working in multidisciplinary teams to deliver complex, high value public transport contracts and policy outcomes within a commercial and financial context as well as administrative support in a fast-paced environment preferably within a government projects setting, with a capability to carry independent research and analysis and providing accurate and timely commercial and financial advice to senior staff based on evidence-based objective analysis.

Key Selection Criteria

The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong commercial acumen with a proven ability to lead complex procurement negotiations and establish strategic partnerships that maximise value and minimise risk. They will be skilled in independently managing end-to-end contract administration, ensuring compliance, performance, and effective risk mitigation. Additionally, they will apply sound financial management practices, maintaining robust controls and using risk-based modelling to inform strategic decision-making and ensure ongoing compliance. 

To access the Position Description, please click here

Position accountabilities

• Assist the overall project team through different project phases, providing evidence based objective analysis and analytical support in the achievement of Government endorsed project objectives and required deliverables, as well as more general administrative support to the broader team.
• Lead the management of interactive online data room for tenders and other transaction management related functions and activities.
• Assist with the preparation of reports, presentations and other project related documentation for internal and external stakeholders.
• Prepare documentation, briefings and advice, including submissions to Government and senior stakeholders on complex commercial / policy matters that is accepted by stakeholders.
• In this role you will be assertive and have the confidence to seek Government approvals, drive commercial outcomes through stakeholder and industry engagement and find solutions.
• Be a self-starter who has excellent time management skills with the ability to lead when required, influence outcomes and to work methodically through to completion of objectives. 
• Be regarded as a team player by peers and superiors and has the ability to work in large multidisciplinary project teams with team members that bring varying skillsets (such as operational, technical, legal and others).

Qualifications

Mandatory

-      At least five years of professional experience in a relevant commercial transaction setting

-      A relevant tertiary qualification in commerce, finance, economics, business management, law, or related discipline.

Desired

-      Experience in commercial transactions and contracting of large Public Transport, infrastructure contracts in large complex organisations.

-      Experience working with State or Federal Government would be beneficial.

-      Strong financial analysis skills and management/financial accounting acumen.

Culture Value

We welcome applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds representing the community that we serve, including veterans, parents, carers, First Peoples, people with disability, multicultural, multifaith and LGBTIQA+ individuals.

As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and high-performance culture. Through shared actions and behaviours aligned with our strategy and direction, we empower our people to thrive and meaningfully contribute to the department’s goals.

What we offer

Working at the Department of Transport and Planning provides people with the opportunity to contribute to creating thriving places and connected communities for all Victorians.

For further details please refer to Careers at the Department of Transport and Planning.

Pre-employment checks and employment conditions

All new appointments to the department will be subject to a National Criminal Records Check, Misconduct Screening, and a Qualification Check where there is a requirement for a mandatory qualification. Information provided to the Department of Transport and Planning will be treated in the strictest confidence consistent with the requirements of the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014.

Applicants must be an Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident or hold a valid work permit or visa necessary for the nature of the position.

Recipients of Victorian Public Service (VPS) voluntary departure packages should note that re-employment restrictions apply.

Non-VPS applicants will be subject to a probation period of six months.

How to apply

Click the ‘Apply’ button to be redirected to our recruitment platform, where you may need to create an account to submit your application.

If have any issues, click here for Quick Reference Guide on how to apply.

Applications close at 11.59pm on Tuesday, 25th November 2025.

Please include both your resume and a cover letter. All applications must be submitted via the online portal, we’re unable to accept email or manual submissions.

For further information about the role, please contact Nathan Rowe, Technical Delivery Lead via Nathan.rowe@transport.vic.gov.au 

Important Information:

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