Contract Manager (Men's RWC 2027)

Closing date for applications is 12th August 2026

Full-time Fixed Term Contract start October 2026 until November 2027

Location: Sydney (Gadigal), Australia

The Rugby World Cup Australia (RWCA) is proud to deliver one of the world’s most iconic sporting events — the Rugby World Cup 2027 (Men’s). More than a tournament, it’s a celebration of Rugby’s spirit, Australia’s culture, and the power of sport to unite and inspire communities around the world.

Rugby World Cup Australia is seeking an experienced Contract Manager to join the Tournament Operations Team and play a key role in shaping the infrastructure and visual experience of Rugby World Cup 2027. Based in Sydney CBD, reporting to the Senior Overlay Manager, you will lead the commercial and contractual management of key Overlay and Image & Look supplier contracts, ensuring strong governance, compliance, cost control, and supplier performance across the project lifecycle. Working closely with internal stakeholders, suppliers, Finance, Procurement, and Legal teams, you will oversee contract obligations, milestones, budgets, and change control processes to support the successful delivery of world-class event infrastructure and signage programs.

Beyond contract administration, you will bring structure, discipline, and strategic oversight to complex programs, helping to manage risk, drive financial accountability, and ensure scope, budget, and delivery outcomes remain aligned while coordinating change control processes, strengthening commercial governance, and building strong partnerships with suppliers and stakeholders to support the successful delivery of Rugby World Cup 2027.

Key responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Develop and implement contract management plans, governance frameworks, and commercial controls for Overlay and Image & Look suppliers, ensuring contractual compliance throughout the project lifecycle.
• Lead the end-to-end management of supplier contracts, including contractual obligations, deliverables, payment schedules, milestones, KPIs, and service level requirements.
• Manage change control and variation processes, including scope changes, updates, cost validation, approvals, contract amendments, and maintenance of variation registers.
• Monitor budgets, track costs, support forecasting and cash flow management, and provide commercial reporting to ensure program outcomes remain aligned with approved financial objectives.
• Act as the primary commercial interface between suppliers, Functional Areas, venue stakeholders, and project teams, proactively managing contractual risks, issues, and opportunities.
• Partner with Finance, Procurement, Legal, and operational teams to administer contracts, facilitate governance and approval processes, and ensure effective stakeholder communication.
• Lead supplier reviews, progress meetings, financial reconciliations, contract close-out activities, and continuous improvement initiatives to maximise value, performance, and delivery outcomes.

Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum 3+ years' experience in contract management, commercial management, project controls, or a related discipline, with mandatory experience working within a major events environment.
• Experience managing high-value supplier contracts across overlay, image & look, signage, technical services, event infrastructure, or similarly complex project environments.
• Proven expertise in contract administration, procurement processes, commercial governance, change control frameworks, and variation management, ensuring effective delivery against scope, budget, and program outcomes.
• Strong commercial acumen with experience managing budgets, cost control, forecasting, financial reporting, cash flow monitoring, and supplier performance.
• Sound understanding of contractual risk management, contract interpretation, commercial negotiations, and the administration of complex commercial agreements.
• Demonstrated ability to build strong relationships and work collaboratively with suppliers and cross-functional stakeholders, including Finance, Procurement, Legal, and operational teams.
• Highly organised and detail-oriented, with excellent communication skills, the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment, and a commitment to delivering high-quality outcomes within tight deadlines.
• Experience with SAP and advanced Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel, PowerPoint, and reporting tools.
• Flexibility to travel and work outside of standard business hours to support tournament and event requirements.

Why You’ll Love It Here

• Competitive salary: We know world-class talent deserves to be rewarded.
• Hybrid game plan: Work from home on Mondays and Fridays, with a 3-day in-office schedule (Tues–Thu), moving to full-time in-office in 2027 as the tournament approaches.
• Unbeatable location: A modern space across from Sydney’s Hyde Park, just a 5-minute walk from Town Hall, surrounded by public transport, great cafes, restaurants, and shops.
• Wellbeing first: Weekly fresh fruit, Lunch and learns and a focus on keeping our team feeling their best on and off the field.
• Locker-room ready: Showers, fresh towels, and Dyson hair tools so you can reset and refresh any time.
• Team spirit: Weekly drinks and social catchups that celebrate wins big and small.
• Make your mark: Play a key role in bringing the third largest sporting event in the world to life right here in Australia!

Australia’s hosting of the Rugby World Cup is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to grow the game, celebrate our people and culture, and deliver lasting social and economic impact. At the heart of our mission is diversity, inclusion, and legacy ensuring Rugby’s growth benefits all and inspires a new generation of players, fans, and communities. Join us in shaping an unforgettable celebration of Rugby, culture, and community.

How to apply:

Please submit your CV (maximum 3 pages) and cover letter outlining your suitability based on the requirements for the role via the APPLY NOW link. Only suitable candidates will be contacted.

In setting expectations, there will be a 2-round interview process in our Sydney office.

All applicants need to be able to obtain their own unlimited working rights in Australia.

We do not accept unsolicited CVs from recruitment agencies and no fees will be payable. 

Rugby World Cup Australia is committed to building a diverse workforce and therefore strongly encourages applications from underrepresented groups. We are committed to equality and inclusion and welcome applications from all individuals, regardless of their background and are happy to provide reasonable accommodations during the recruitment process. We strive to be a diverse and inclusive workplace, which reflects the global sport we want to be and where everyone can be themselves and feel they belong.