Head of Distribution

Energy Networks Australia; Canberra; Remote; AUD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance bonus

Salary packaging

Phone and devices

Flexible remote work

Job summary

Energy Networks Australia (ENA) is the national industry body representing Australia's electricity transmission and distribution and gas distribution networks. We coordinate policy and technical activities on electricity distribution and future networks, engaging with members, regulators, and government agencies to develop research and advice on national policy and regulation.

This role focuses on being a trusted adviser to ENA members and a high-integrity partner with industry stakeholders,

Qualifications

• Experience leading multi-stakeholder projects in energy sector.
• Strong report writing and critical thinking.
• Excellent liaison with governments, external market bodies, ENA's members.
• Judgement in representing members' collective interests.
• Team player with ability to manage competing priorities.
• Tertiary qualifications in engineering, science, economics, public policy.
• Experience in electricity networks or member-based organisations is valuable.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate ENA's policy and technical activities on electricity distribution.
• Lead advocacy projects from development to implementation.
• Prepare submissions and documents on policy, engineering, customer engagement, energy system and market topics.
• Represent ENA at internal and external events related to your areas of responsibility.
• Foster industry knowledge sharing and supporting innovation and future network approaches.
• Monitor and report on business plan actions and strategies related to asset management and network transformation.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Policy analysis

Project leadership

Communication

Education

Engineering degree

Public policy degree

Job description

Energy Networks Australia (ENA) is the national industry body representing Australia's electricity transmission and distribution and gas distribution networks. Our members provide more than 16 million electricity and gas connections to almost every home and business across Australia. We work with networks, regulators, and industry partners to develop research and advice on national and state policy, regulation, and key issues affecting energy networks, including safety, reliability and security of supply, Consumer Energy Resources (CER), and sustainable energy.

The Role

We're looking for an individual to ensure ENA represents its electricity distribution members and makes a positive difference to Australia's energy future. Reporting to the Director of Electricity Networks, you'll coordinate ENA's strategic, policy, and technical activities on electricity distribution and future networks, working with members, government agencies, market and regulatory bodies, and other stakeholders.

You'll be part of a small team that plays a key role in leading strategic projects that drive value for our members and the Australian customers they serve. At its heart, this role is about being a trusted adviser to members and a high-integrity partner between them and the wider industry.

The ability to earn credibility with member businesses, regulators, and policymakers is essential. You'll bring strong policy, communication, and stakeholder skills, with the ability to turn complex network issues into persuasive policy positions and bring members with different interests to a shared view. Knowledge of electricity distribution, asset management, or energy system transformation is highly desirable, but you don't need to be a deep technical specialist.

Key Responsibilities:

• Development and management of projects on electricity sector transition issues critical to the sector's future.
• Leadership of electricity distribution and network transformation advocacy projects, from development through to implementation.
• Analysis, member liaison, and preparation of submissions and other documents on a variety of electricity distribution policy, engineering, customer engagement, energy system and market transformation, and R&D topics.
• Active contribution to senior executive Committees in Asset Management and Safety, whilst maintaining positive relationships with representatives of member businesses.
• Representation of ENA at internal and external events related to your areas of responsibility.
• Fostering and contributing to industry knowledge sharing, supporting innovation and future network approaches.
• Monitoring and reporting on business plan actions and strategies related to asset management and network transformation.

To be successful, we expect you will need:

• Several years of experience leading projects or initiatives involving multiple stakeholders, ideally in the energy sector.
• Strong submission, report writing, and critical thinking skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills that enable successful liaison with governments, external market bodies, fellow associations, ENA's members, and other stakeholders.
• Sound judgement in representing members' collective interests.
• A team player and resourceful self-starter who can manage competing priorities.
• Tertiary qualifications in engineering, science, economics, public policy, or another relevant discipline.
• Experience in an electricity network business, member-based organisation, or similar would be of value.

This role is suited to a professional who brings enthusiasm, a thirst for knowledge, thoughtfulness, integrity, and curiosity to all aspects of the work. If you bring most of what's described here and the appetite to grow into the rest.

Why Join ENA?

• Direct access to the chairs, CEOs, and executives of Australia's electricity network businesses, a level of exposure few roles in the sector offer.
• An attractive remuneration package including a performance bonus, salary packaging, and phone and devices.
• Flexible working arrangements, with the option to work fully remotely. Shared office spaces are available in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, and Melbourne-based team members typically spend one to two days a week in the office. The role involves monthly domestic travel.
• A genuinely collaborative and high-performing team environment where ideas and initiative are valued.

We welcome the use of AI as an editing tool, but we want to hear your voice. Wholly AI-generated applications won't be considered.