Senior Manager Strategic Contracting

About the role

The Senior Manager, Strategic Contracting is responsible for leading the development and execution of contractor engagement and contracting strategies that enable IREN to scale construction delivery across a growing portfolio of projects and markets.

Responsibilities

• Develop and own the construction contracting strategy for the project portfolio, aligned to organizational objectives and risk appetite.
• Evaluate and recommend appropriate contracting models (e.g. lump sum, GMP, cost-plus, alliance, EPC/D&C) based on project scope, contractor capabilities, risk profile and market conditions.
• Establish contracting frameworks, standard terms and conditions, and procurement pathways in collaboration with legal, project managers and procurement teams.
• Lead market assessments to understand contractor capacity, capability and competitive landscape.
• Maintain and continuously improve contracting policies, templates and governance standards across the PMO.
• Develop long-term contractor partnerships to ensure continuity and scalability.
• Market Development & New Contractor Engagement
• Lead market assessments to understand contractor capacity, capability, pricing benchmarks, and competitive dynamics across target and emerging geographies.
• Build and expand IREN’s contractor network in new and capacity-constrained markets, including identification, prequalification, and early engagement of tier-1 and specialty trade contractors.
• Proactively engage contractors ahead of project demand to secure capacity, validate appetite, and inform pipeline planning.
• Maintain market intelligence on contractor consolidation, labor availability, and cost trends to support build/buy and self-perform decisions.
• Commercial Negotiation and Leadership
• Act as the primary commercial interface with internal stakeholders including project directors, finance, legal, and executive leadership.
• Lead all commercial negotiations with construction contractors, including head contract terms, pricing structures, scope of works, and performance regimes.
• Drive value outcomes through competitive procurement processes, direct negotiations and relationship-based contracting where appropriate.
• Aid in the negotiation of variations, claims and dispute resolution outcomes, balancing commercial rigor with relationship management.
• Develop negotiation strategies and commercial modelling to support decision-making.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with contractor leadership teams to support collaborative and outcomes-focused delivery.
• Provide expert commercial advice and guidance to project teams across the portfolio.
• Contractor Lifecycle & Relationship Management
• Own end-to-end contractor identification, prequalification, and onboarding workflows (due diligence, safety/insurance, compliance, master data, and onboarding documentation) in partnership with Legal, HSE, Finance, and Operations.
• Develop and maintain a preferred contractor program, including prequalification criteria, tiering, and refresh cadences across trades and geographies.
• Establish contractor relationship management routines for strategic partners — scorecards, QBRs, performance reviews, and corrective action plans — to drive delivery, quality, safety, and cost outcomes.
• Provide commercial oversight of contractor performance, including KPI monitoring, payment certification and incentive/abatement regimes.
• Define operational governance with contractors, including KPIs/SLAs, escalation paths, change-order controls, and dispute resolution mechanisms.
• Ensure contracts are operationalized through clear scopes of work, rate structures, and performance expectations that enable predictable execution for project teams.
• Risk Management
• Identify and mitigate risks related to contractor and labor availability and costs.
• Provide forward-looking insights on market conditions, capacity constraints, and contracting risks.
• Partner with project and operations teams to anticipate and address contracting challenges early.
• Identify, assess and manage commercial risks and opportunities across the contract portfolio.
• Ensure timely and accurate reporting of commercial positions, commitments, and exposure to project leadership and stakeholders.
• Cross-Functional Alignment
• Collaborate with Procurement, Construction, Operations, and Technical teams to align contracting strategies with demand forecasts.
• Act as a key interface between construction and project delivery teams to ensure contracting supports execution timelines.
• Process & Capability Development
• Establish and standardize contracting processes, tools, and contractor frameworks.
• Contribute to building a scalable construction contracting capability as the business grows.
• Drive continuous improvement across contracting practices and contractor management.

Qualifications

• 10–15+ years in strategic sourcing, contracting or commercial roles within the construction industry.
• Proven experience sourcing contractors and/or project-based services in complex environments.
• Strong commercial acumen with demonstrated success leading negotiations and contract development.
• Experience operating in fast-paced, high-growth, or low-structure environments.
• Track record of building contractor networks and contracting strategies in new or underserved markets.
• Preferred: Experience in construction, infrastructure, energy, or mission-critical/data center environments.
• Experience supporting capital projects or multi-site expansions.
• Familiarity with ERP/procurement systems and building processes from the ground up.

Skills

• Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Strong analytical and data-driven approach.
• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with external partners.

Benefits

At IREN, we offer a highly competitive compensation package that includes base salary, annual performance incentives, and opportunities to build long-term wealth through equity programs. These offerings are part of our broader total rewards package, thoughtfully designed to support your health, well-being, and long-term success.

Compensation Actual compensation will be determined based on factors such as experience, qualifications, and market data for the region. Total Compensation package may be inclusive of annual incentive bonus, equity (long-term incentive).

Health & Wellness 100% company paid health insurance premiums (medical, dental, and vision) for employees, 75% company paid coverage for dependents. Company-paid short-term and long-term disability insurance. Voluntary life, critical illness, and accident coverage available. Health Savings Accounts (HSA) – when combined with the High Deductible Health Plan. Employee Assistance Program and wellness resources.

Retirement & Financial Wealth 401(k) retirement plan with company match. Access to financial planning and legal services. Time Off & Leave Programs Paid Time Off (PTO) and paid holidays.

Growth & Development Internal skills training and advancement pathways. Professional development to support certifications, continuing education, or role related training.

Community & Culture Company events and team-building activities.