Contract Manager - Focus on IT and Digital Services

Position Overview

Townsville City Council seeks a permanent full-time Contract Manager to lead the end-to-end management of procurement and contracts, primarily focusing on Information Technology and digital services. The role is aligned with business continuity strategies and supports the delivery of Council’s Corporate Plan through accountability across leadership and staff.

Role Responsibilities

• Oversee the complete tender process, including preparing and reviewing tender scopes and technical documents for ICT goods and services.
• Develop tender strategies, supervise procurement activities, evaluate submissions, and engage contractors in collaboration with ICT, cybersecurity, and business teams ensuring compliance with Council standards and governance.
• Plan and monitor contract administration tasks including cost control, forecasting, financial reporting, and procurement arrangements.
• Manage technology and digital services contracts to guarantee value for money, service continuity, availability, compliance, and delivery aligned with required service levels.
• Maintain structured communications, performance reporting, governance controls, and issue resolution to meet stakeholder expectations.
• Identify process efficiencies, manage contract-related risks such as operational, cybersecurity, and technology lifecycle risks, and implement appropriate mitigations.
• Monitor and manage vendor performance and service level agreements to ensure alignment with Council’s digital strategies and objectives.
• Provide guidance to internal teams on effective contract management practices, emphasizing IT, digital platforms, and technology-enabled services.
• Support consistent application of contractual, financial, risk, and governance policies across the organization.

Candidate Profile

• Degree qualification in contract management, law, business, IT, or a related field, or extensive practical experience managing contracts across the lifecycle, including procurement, performance evaluation, risk analysis, issue resolution, and authorizing contract variations and payments.
• Proven expertise handling contracts with significant IT, digital, or technology service components including vendor management and service level monitoring.
• Strong knowledge of managing ICT or technology-enabled vendors, ensuring service continuity and risk management.
• Sound understanding of Local Government legislative frameworks affecting procurement, contracting, and technology implementation.
• Excellent interpersonal skills encompassing communication, negotiation, facilitation, and conflict resolution.
• Competency in workload management and prioritization of tasks.
• Effective stakeholder engagement skills across technical and non-technical groups.
• Experience in complete contract administration including record keeping, governance, and financial oversight.
• Ability to negotiate contract terms to achieve favorable outcomes aligned with key deliverables.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation related to procurement, contracting, finance, technology security, and workplace health and safety.
• Current unrestricted Queensland “C” class driver’s license.

About Townsville City Council

The Council is the largest local government in Northern Australia, fostering an inclusive work culture with a strong focus on work-life balance and community impact.

Benefits & Perks

• Five weeks annual leave plus 17.5% leave loading.
• Three weeks personal/carer’s leave.
• Fourteen weeks paid parental leave.
• Leave provisions for domestic and family violence and natural disasters.
• Annual wage progression.
• Superannuation employer contributions up to 13.5% for members contributing at least 6%.
• Salary sacrifice opportunities.
• Access to comprehensive learning and development programs.
• Discounted memberships through the Fitness Passport program.
• Employee loyalty discounts at selected local businesses.
• Employee Assistance Program support.

Additional Information

The Council values diversity and inclusivity, welcoming applications from all backgrounds including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, diverse gender identities, cultural backgrounds, people with disabilities, and veterans.

Applicants must consent to drug and alcohol testing as part of the hiring process adhering to a zero-tolerance policy in the workplace.

Accessibility adjustments during recruitment are available upon request.