Contracts Specialist – Major Projects, Sustaining Capital

Contracts Specialist – Major Projects, Sustaining Capital

• Construction focused, commercial and contract management

• Support large scale complex multi-disciplinary packages

• Site travel from time to time

• Permanent opportunity, CBD location – Perth

About the role

Finding better ways to provide the materials the world needs.

The Major Projects portfolio encompasses a diverse range of large‑scale, complex, and multi‑disciplinary construction packages that support new iron ore mine developments across the Pilbara. In this role, the successful candidate will manage end‑to‑end procurement activities for a suite of discrete project scopes, each comprising a variety of construction, services, and equipment work packages. The role ensures commercial value, risk mitigation, compliance, and strong supplier performance throughout the project lifecycle.

Reporting to the Manager R&D and Major Projects, this opportunity allows a high performing individual

to:

• Conduct sourcing activities including strategy development, negotiation and implementation of call-off statement of works (panel contracts) and standalone construction, supply and consultancy contracts;

• Perform contract management activities including contract compliance, claim assessments and dispute resolutions promptly and effectively;

• Develop and maintain proactive, values-based relationships with the Sustaining Capital Delivery Team and contracted suppliers;

• Collaborate effectively across our Sustaining Capital Procurement team and the wider RTP group, seeking to leverage category strategies, drive value and identify synergies; and

• Demonstrate their application of Rio Tinto’s values of Courage, Care and Curiosity.

What you’ll bring

To be successfully considered for this role, you will have:

• Focus and ability to deliver construction projects safely, in the Pilbara;

• Strong understanding of contract law, negotiation strategies, and commercial risk management.

• Tertiary qualification in law, procurement, supply chain, business, or related field. 

• Proven experience in contracts and procurement within large‑scale construction, mining, infrastructure, or major capital projects.

• Tendering, evaluation, contract drafting and negotiation experience;

• Sound ability on claims management and determining effective commercial outcomes;

• Strong focus on workplace culture team cohesion and a proactive attitude;

• Proactive management of stakeholders and an ability to build strong relationships; and

• Ability to successfully manage competing priorities in a fast-paced work environment.

What we offer

• A work environment where safety is always the number one priority

• Flexible working from home arrangements as per operational requirements

• 18 weeks of gender-neutral and equal paid parental leave, with continued superannuation contributions whilst employees are on unpaid or half paid parental leave

• A competitive base salary reflective of your skills and experience with annual incentive program

• Comprehensive medical benefits including subsidised private health insurance for employees and immediate family

• Attractive share ownership plan

• Company provided insurance cover

• Extensive salary sacrifice & salary packaging options

• Career development & education assistance to further your technical or leadership ambitions

• Ongoing access to family-friendly health and medical wellbeing support

• Leave for all of life’s reasons (vacation/annual, paid parental, sick leave)

• Exclusive employee discounts (banking, accommodation, cars, retail and more); and

• Local relocation packages offered for Australian residents only

Where you’ll be working

Rio Tinto Global Procurement ensures resilient supply chains that deliver value to the Rio Tinto Group through the strategic sourcing and buying of goods and services for our operations. Playing a fundamental role, value is achieved through effective supplier partnerships, innovation, easy and standardised processes, e-technology, corporate social responsibility and increased commercial advantage.

Application Deadline: 23rd Jan 2026 (COD)

(Rio Tinto reserves the right to remove advertised roles prior to this date)

Please note, in order to be successfully considered for this role you must complete all pre-screening questions.

Rio Tinto does not accept unsolicited CVs or candidate profiles from recruiters or employment agencies. Rio Tinto will not consider or agree to payment of any referral compensation or recruiter fee relating to unsolicited CVs or candidate profiles. Rio Tinto reserves the right to hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency. Any unsolicited CVs or candidate profiles, including those submitted to hiring managers, are deemed to be the property of Rio Tinto.

About Rio Tinto

Rio Tinto is a leading global mining and materials company. We operate in 35 countries where we produce iron ore, copper, aluminium, critical minerals, and other materials needed for the global energy transition and for people, communities, and nations to thrive.

We have been mining for 150 years and operate with knowledge built up across generations and continents. Our purpose is finding better ways to provide the materials the world needs – striving for innovation and continuous improvement to produce materials with low emissions and to the right environmental, social and governance standards. But we can’t do it on our own, so we’re focused on creating partnerships to solve problems, create win-win situations and meet opportunities.

Respect and Inclusion

At Rio Tinto, we particularly welcome and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, the LGBTI+ community, mature workers, people with disabilities and people from different cultural backgrounds.

We are committed to an inclusive environment where people feel comfortable to be themselves. We want our people to feel that all voices are heard, all cultures respected and that a variety of perspectives are not only welcome – they are essential to our success. We treat each other fairly and with dignity regardless of race, gender, nationality, ethnic origin, religion, age, sexual orientation or anything else that makes us different.

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