Head of Commercial & Contract Administration

Head of Commercial & Contract Administration

Paspaley Pearling Co Pty Ltd

Darwin NT Full-time, On-site Competitive salary

Paspaley is a family-owned Australian group recognised as a pioneer in the South Sea pearling industry, with diverse interests including maritime, aviation, property, agriculture, and hospitality. Northern Ship Support Pty Ltd (NSS), part of the Paspaley Group, has been appointed by the Northern Territory Government to operate the Darwin Ship Lift (DSL) facility. This critical piece of national maritime infrastructure is currently under construction at East Arm, with operations anticipated to commence in 2027.

This position offers a unique opportunity to influence the commercial model, pricing framework, and contractual architecture of a major common-user facility during its formative stages.

This senior leadership role within NSS is responsible for establishing and directing the commercial and contractual framework for the Darwin Ship Lift. The role will drive commercial strategy, contract governance, and operational readiness in preparation for the 2027 commencement of operations.

Key Accountabilities

• Develop and implement commercial strategy, pricing frameworks, and demand forecasting models.
• Establish user agreements, licensing regimes, and commercial conditions of use.
• Lead full lifecycle contract management, including negotiation, administration, and dispute resolution.
• Act as the primary interface with legal advisors and translate advice into operational controls.
• Establish auditable commercial systems and board-level reporting structures.
• Assist in the integration of commercial requirements into operational systems.
• Align commercial systems with ISO frameworks and Defence qualification requirements.
• Inform, support, and manage commercial, regulatory, and operational risk frameworks.
• Support commercial engagement with government, Defence, and industry stakeholders.
• Support operational readiness and transition to full service delivery.

Experience & Capability

• Extensive experience in commercial and contract management within complex or regulated environments.
• Strong capability in commercial frameworks, contract negotiation and management, dispute management, and regulatory compliance.
• Experience in infrastructure, asset-intensive, or government-facing sectors is preferred.

Leadership Attributes

• Strategic, pragmatic, and delivery-focused.
• Possesses strong commercial and legal judgement.
• Skilled in high-level negotiation and stakeholder engagement.
• Effective across executive, technical, and operational audiences.
• Resilient, composed, and outcome-oriented.
• A collaborative leader in high-performance environments.

Why Join

• Opportunity to shape the commercial model of a nationally significant infrastructure asset.
• Exposure to Defence, government, and major industry stakeholders.
• A senior leadership role with enterprise-level visibility and influence.
• Based in Darwin, at the centre of Northern Australia’s growing maritime sector.

To Apply

Apply now or send your CV and a cover letter addressing how your experience maps to the key accountabilities to rec••••••••@paspaley.com.au