Director - Economic Regulation and Pricing - Utilities Commission of the Northern Territory

Davidson; Darwin; On-site; AUD 170,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Davidson is seeking a Director of Economic Regulation and Pricing in Darwin to lead the utilities regulator's regulatory frameworks and pricing policy. The role focuses on economic assessment, price setting across electricity, water, ports and other services, and shaping mature regulatory approaches for the Territory.

The successful candidate will manage a small team, provide evidence-based advice, engage with regulated businesses, government, and industry, and contribute to licensing,

Qualifications

• Substantial experience in economic regulation, pricing, regulatory modelling, regulated utilities, economics or consulting.
• Ability to understand and interrogate complex models and translate analysis into actionable advice.
• Willingness to be based in Darwin and to lead a small, hands-on team.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Commission's economic regulation and pricing stream, including pricing approaches and economic assessments.
• Oversee major reviews across electricity, water, sewerage, ports and ship lift facility with price setting and monitoring.
• Develop two direct reports and build capability within a small specialist team.
• Provide clear, evidence-based advice to the Director and the Commission and engage with stakeholders.
• Contribute to broader work including licensing, compliance, reporting and codes of practice.

Skills

Economic regulation

Pricing

Regulatory modelling

Regulated utilities

Economics

Consulting

Stakeholder engagement

Leadership

Job description

• Lead the next phase of economic regulation in the NT


• Apply deep expertise in pricing, modelling and regulatory frameworks


• Shape a growing, multi-sector regulator from Darwin

The Utilities Commission of the Northern Territory is a statutory authority established under the Utilities Commission Act 2000 and is the independent economic regulator for the Northern Territory. The Commission has responsibility across regulated industries, including electricity, ports, water and sewerage, and is entering an important period of growth and development.

The object of the Utilities Commission Act 2000 is to establish an economic regulatory framework that promotes and safeguards competition and fair and efficient market conduct. The Commission's primary purpose is to protect the long-term interests of Territory consumers of services provided by regulated industries, particularly in relation to price, reliability and quality. Its vision is to benefit Territorians through effective regulation, well-informed and transparent decision-making and robust, independent advice.

Following a review of its structure, the Commission is seeking a Director Economic Regulation and Pricing to lead its economic regulation function and contribute to the Commission's next chapter. Working as part of the senior leadership team, the Director will help develop proportionate, fit-for-purpose regulatory frameworks for the Territory and support the effective regulation of essential services.

This is a senior, full-time leadership role based in Darwin. The role is to:

• lead the Commission's economic regulation and pricing stream, including regulatory frameworks, pricing approaches and economic assessments


• lead major reviews and determinations across electricity, water, sewerage, ports and the emerging ship lift facility, including price-setting, approved revenue, access and price monitoring


• lead and develop two direct reports, sharing knowledge and building capability within a small specialist team


• provide clear, evidence-based advice to the Director and the Commission, and engage with regulated entities, government, industry, other regulators and senior stakeholders


• contribute across the Commission's broader work, including licensing, compliance, reporting and codes of practice, as priorities require

This is an active and hands-on leadership role. The Director will be expected to understand and interrogate complex economic and financial models, identify key regulatory considerations, and translate technical analysis into proportionate, practical advice. The role will help shape emerging regulatory frameworks in water and sewerage, strengthen price-setting functions in electricity, and lead price monitoring and access work across the Port of Darwin and the emerging ship lift facility. It will also involve direct engagement with the Commission, regulated businesses and other senior stakeholders.

To be considered for this role, you will bring substantial experience in economic regulation, pricing, regulatory modelling, regulated utilities, economics, consulting or a related field. Your experience will be practical and applied, with the judgement to assess revenue requirements, operating and capital expenditure, pricing approaches and the conduct of monopoly service providers.

Your experience may have been gained within a regulator, a regulated utility or infrastructure business, a network or market operator, a government agency or a specialist consultancy. Experience across both regulatory and regulated environments would be highly desirable, as would exposure to electricity, water, ports or comparable infrastructure sectors. You will be comfortable working with detailed models and data while also understanding the broader strategic, legal and public-interest context.

You will bring sound judgement, intellectual curiosity and the ability to develop proportionate, fit-for-purpose approaches for the Territory. A collaborative and personable leadership style is essential, along with the ability to share knowledge, develop staff and work flexibly across a small team. Candidates must be willing to be based in Darwin and able to contribute to a small, hands-on office.

Davidson acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we work and live. We are also committed to equal opportunity and strive to promote diversity, inclusion, belonging, flexibility, and accessibility in all that we do.

Should you require assistance in your interactions with us or through a recruitment process, please let us know so we can provide adjustments for you.

Applications close on Sunday, 15 November 2026.