Group Manager - WA Capacity and Connections

Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO); Western Australia; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Volunteer leave

Annual performance bonuses

Wellness program

Discounted health insurance

Gym perks

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Job summary

AEMO, Australia's independent energy system and market operator, is seeking a senior leader to head WA Capacity and Connections. You will guide capacity assessment, procure essential services and oversee new facility connections to WA's main electricity system, ensuring delivery aligns with regulatory and market needs.

You will lead cross-functional teams, manage complex stakeholder relationships, and drive governance and strategic change across Western Australia’s energy transition.

Qualifications

• Senior leadership experience in energy markets and market operations.
• Strong understanding of energy markets, commercial operations and market interactions.
• Experience leading large-scale change in complex environments with focus on innovation and outcomes.
• Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders across industry, government and operations.
• Balance strategic thinking with effective execution in evolving markets.
• Excellent communication and people leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Set direction and lead multidisciplinary teams with clear priorities and accountabilities.
• Oversee capacity and system services, including procurement and Reserve Capacity Mechanism.
• Coordinate project entry: connection, registration, accreditation and commissioning for new facilities.
• Build partnerships with Western Power, developers, investors and government to progress projects.
• Maintain governance with transparent, risk-based and regulatory-compliant decisions.

Skills

Senior leadership

Energy markets

Change management

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic thinking

Communication

Education

Tertiary degree

Job description

Division: Western Australia
Department: WA Market Development & Energy Procurement
Reference number: 13326
Engagement type: Permanent

AEMO at the Heart of Energy

AEMO is Australia’s independent energy system and market operator and system planner. AEMO’s purpose is to ensure safe, reliable and affordable energy today, and enable the energy transition for the benefit of all Australians. Australian governments are now committed to a net zero economy for Australia by 2050 and our vision is to enable this. We have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to co-design the future of our energy systems, and our core values revolve around character, commitment, and connection. Join us as we contribute to this significant transition in the energy sector.

About The Role

Western Australia’s energy transition depends on having sufficient electricity capacity available when it is needed, and on bringing new projects into operation safely and efficiently. This senior leadership role brings those responsibilities together. As Group Manager, WA Capacity and Connections, you will lead multidisciplinary teams responsible for assessing and accrediting capacity, procuring services that help keep the power system secure, and coordinating AEMO’s processes for new facilities to connect and participate in WA’s main electricity system and wholesale market. You will oversee the Reserve Capacity Mechanism – the market arrangements designed to ensure sufficient electricity capacity is available to meet demand. Working closely with Western Power, developers, investors, government and colleagues across AEMO, you will help resolve delivery challenges and bring together the technical, commercial and regulatory work need for projects to begin operating. Reporting to the Executive General Manager and a key member of the senior leadership team, this is a role for a senior energy leader who can set direction, lead across disciplines and build confidence with stakeholders, while maintaining strong governance and regulatory compliance.

What You Will Be Doing

• Set direction and lead the team - lead multidisciplinary teams with clear priorities, accountabilities and effective ways of working.
• Oversee capacity and system services - lead delivery of the Reserve Capacity Mechanism, Supplementary Capacity and procurement of essential system services.
• Coordinate AEMO’s responsibilities for new project entry - oversee AEMO’s connection, registration, accreditation and commissioning activities so new facilities can enter operation safely and efficiently.
• Build collaborative partnerships and support project delivery - work with Western Power, developers, investors and government to support the coordinated progression of new projects and connections.
• Maintain sound governance – Ensure decisions and processes are transparent, risk-based and compliant with regulatory obligations.

What You Will Bring To The Role

Experience and Knowledge

• Tertiary qualifications in business, economics, science, engineering or a related discipline, with advanced or cross-disciplinary qualifications highly regarded.
• Extensive senior leadership experience within the energy industry, with a strong understanding of energy markets, commercial operations and market interactions.
• Proven ability to lead and embed large-scale change in complex, technical and operationally critical environments, with a focus on innovation, continuous improvement and business outcomes.
• Demonstrated success building trusted relationships and influencing senior stakeholders across industry, government and operational environments to achieve shared outcomes.
• Strong capability to balance strategic thinking with operational execution, delivering outcomes in complex and evolving market environments.
• Exceptional communication and people leadership skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences, empower teams and foster an inclusive, collaborative and high-performing culture.

Benefits

In return some of our benefits to you

• Flexible working: work from home, part time, job share, hybrid options, and additional leave options
• Professional development via projects, industry networks, job rotation, study assistance and more.
• Give back with up to 4 days of volunteering leave per year.
• Reward your hard work with annual performance bonuses (subject to eligibility).
• Embrace a healthier you with our wellness program, discounted health insurance, gym perks and our comprehensive Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

About Our Process

At AEMO we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workforce. We welcome people of all backgrounds, including people with disabilities and neurodivergence and those who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. If you have any accessibility requireme nt s to support you during the application or interview process, simply let us know by emailing us a t [e-mail]