Job Description
Responsible for contract administration, purchase orders, and contract coordination across a complex, multi-disciplinary underground mining project exceeding NZ$1 billion in capital value.
Responsible for project cost control reporting for all contractor work relating to the Waihi North Project. In conjunction with providing a variety of other duties in order to support wider OceanaGold project delivery.
The role ensures rigorous financial governance through management of contracts, scope changes, transparent cost visibility, and proactive management of budget, forecast, and commitments across engineering, procurement, and construction phases.
The Contract Administrator partners closely with the Senior Contract Administrator, Project Controls Manager, Project Planner, Project Manager, Technical Services Manager and Project Director to deliver accurate contract administration and contract compliance to support the successful execution of large-scale surface infrastructure and associated underground mining works.
Contract Administration
- Coordinate contract commitments, variations, and progress claims for major packages (earthworks, water treatment plant, dam construction, development mining, ground support, raise boring, electrical, mechanical, and paste fill).
- Support the Commercial and Contracts teams with the review of contract terms, commitments, commitment revisions, scope changes.
- Payment certification processes, and change management.
- Measure and assess variations (change management) when received.
- Measure and assess final quantities for payment valuations.
- Track all contract expenditure against original award and approved variations, maintaining a comprehensive register of commitments and liabilities.
- Participate in commercial meetings with contractors to ensure cost and performance transparency.
- Assist in the preparation of tender evaluation summaries, commitment reports, and claims assessments.
- Support audits of major contracts to confirm compliance with company policies, standards, and governance frameworks.
Cost Control
- Maintenance of integrated cost control systems for a billion-dollar underground mining project, aligned with the WNP execution framework and contracting models.
- Track and report actuals, commitments, forecasts, and variances across all cost centres (development, construction, ventilation, backfill, civils, surface facilities).
- Input into the project cost database, ensuring coding accuracy.
- Prepare monthly cost performance reports, cashflow forecasts, accruals, and cost-to-complete analyses for executive review.
- Manage and prepare cost variations and support the team with financial documentation. and prepare root-cause commentary, and corrective-action recommendations.
- Support annual budget planning and long-term capital forecasting cycles.
- Coordinate with Finance to reconcile project ledger balances and ensure alignment with IFRS/GAAP accounting standards.
- Collaborate with project and contract managers to understand cost drivers and assumptions.
- Provide support to Project Controls Manager, project managers and business leaders when requested
Stakeholder & Systems Management
- Coordinate with package owners and delivery managers.
- Collaborate with Project and Technical Services Managers, Engineers, Finance Team and Planners to ensure data consistency between cost, schedule, and scope baselines.
- Provide technical support to discipline leads to improve cost accuracy and control practices.
- Contribute to the development of project dashboards for real-time cost reporting.
- Coordinate with Finance to ensure accurate purchase order, commitment, and accrual processing.
- Interface with corporate systems (Primavera P6/Pronto) to maintain data integrity.
Qualifications
- Degree in Quantity Surveying, Engineering, Business, Accounting, Project Management, or a related field.
- Further study or certification in Cost Engineering is advantageous.
- Full and Current Driver Licence, ability to drive manual vehicles is preferred.
Experience:
- At least 5-10 years' experience in similar project role.
- Proficiency in Microsoft 365 (Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) (advanced Excel skills are essential).
- Excellent coordination, communication and be able to organise systems and processes to meet overall objectives.
- Self-driven, results-focused, and comfortable with evolving processes.
- Ability to operate as a team member in a customer focused environment is essential.
Additional Information
WHAT'S ON OFFER:
- 1 Year Fixed Term Contract (potential for further extension)
- Residential role - live and work in Waihi, the gateway to the stunning Coromandel region
- Free Gym Membership
- Career Development Opportunities
- Long service recognition
- Living Our Values recognition program
- Access to OceanaGold Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Exceptional working environment where people are valued and respected
YOU MATTER: OceanaGold is committed to providing equal employment opportunities. We believe a variety of perspectives are not only welcome – they are essential to our success. Should you require any assistance applying for this opportunity, please contact us at careers@oceanagold.com
**Applications close 21 July 2026. Shortlisting will commence immediately. Please note that a valid New Zealand working Visa will be required for this position.
PLEASE NOTE: APPLICATIONS FROM AGENCIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED
Company Description
OceanaGold is a global intermediate gold and copper producer with more than 35 years of exploration, development and operating experience. We have four operating mines – Haile in the USA, Macraes and Waihi in New Zealand, and Didipio in the Philippines and a global workforce of ~5,400 employees and contractors.
Our people, assets, and strategy are core to our success. Guided by our values—Care, Respect, Integrity, Performance, and Teamwork—we strive to be a trusted company people want to work for, partner with, supply and invest in, to create value. We are committed to safe and responsible mining that generates strong returns and contributes to sustainable development in the regions where we operate. OceanaGold is listed on the Toronto and New York Stock Exchanges (TSX: OGC; NYSE: OGC).
Our Waihi Operation in the North Island of New Zealand is an underground gold mine. A recent consent for the Waihi North Project, a new mine to be developed 6km north of the existing operation has provided a long-term extension of mine life providing our 400 staff and contractors, and the people of Waihi, an assurance that we plan to be here for the long-term.