Head of Strategy and Innovation

Harrison McMillan Pty Ltd; Adelaide; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Electricity reimbursements

Income protection

Parental leave

Corporate discounts

Volunteering leave

Job summary

SA Power Networks in Adelaide is seeking a leader to drive enterprise strategy and innovation at a pivotal moment of the energy transition. Reporting to the Chief Strategy Officer, you will shape priorities and translate insights into actionable plans.

You will connect strategy with asset management and operations, building credibility through business understanding and cross‑functional collaboration. Interstate relocation may be needed for the right candidate.

Qualifications

• Significant leadership experience in strategy or innovation within complex, regulated sectors.
• Proven ability to translate market and regulatory insights into strategic roadmaps.
• Experience linking asset management with enterprise direction.
• Track record of leading portfolios and pilots to scale into operations.
• Strong commercial analysis and stakeholder engagement.

Responsibilities

• Lead enterprise strategy and innovation at SA Power Networks during energy transition.
• Connect strategy with asset management and operational performance.
• Influence executive decisions and build cross‑organisational capability.
• Translate insights into priorities, plans and measurable outcomes.
• Collaborate with leaders across the business to test and deploy solutions.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Innovation portfolio management

Executive stakeholder engagement

Enterprise strategy development

Regulatory/commercial insight to roadm

Cross-functional collaboration

Regulated/infrastructure experience

Education

Degree in business, strategy, economics, engineering, commerce or related

Postgraduate qualifications

Job description

Lead strategy and innovation at SA Power Networks, aligning enterprise priorities, asset management strategy and innovation for the energy transition.

• Shape enterprise strategy through a changing energy landscape
• Connect innovation with asset management strategy and operational performance
• Influence executive decisions and build capability across the business

Looking for the next opportunity where your work genuinely matters?

Join SA Power Networks and help power homes, businesses and communities across South Australia – today and into the future.

About the Company

SA Power Networks is South Australia’s electricity distributor. It builds, maintains and upgrades the poles, wires and substations that deliver power across the state.

We’re proud to be leading the transition to a cleaner, more sustainable energy future, working closely with communities across the state to achieve meaningful change.

Our people are at the heart of everything we do. With a collaborative culture, strong development pathways and a commitment to innovation, you’ll be supported to grow your career while making a real impact, connecting South Australians to a better energy future, today.

At SA Power Networks, you’ll be part of a team where our values shape how we work every day.

We keep everyone safe, collaborate with purpose, take the initiative, and rise to the challenge to deliver for our people, customers and communities.

We offer an environment that values safety above all, encourages new ideas, and supports you to grow your career while making a meaningful contribution to South Australia.

You will also enjoy:

• Flexible working arrangements and a strong focus on work-life balance
• Up to $900 in electricity reimbursements each year
• Income Protection Coverage
• Primary Parental Leave (18 weeks) and Secondary Parental Leave (5 weeks)
• Corporate discounts on health insurance and gym memberships
• 1 paid day of volunteering leave

Role Overview

Reporting to the Chief Strategy Officer, you will lead enterprise strategy and innovation at an exciting time for SA Power Networks. You will help shape the organisation’s direction through the energy transition and turn industry, market and regulatory insights into clear priorities and plans.

A key focus will be connecting strategy and innovation with asset management and operations. Working closely with leaders across the business, you will help develop ideas, test them and put successful solutions into practice.

You are a strategic leader who combines creative thinking with practical judgement. You build credibility by understanding the business, working alongside its people and challenging established thinking while recognising the operational, commercial and regulatory requirements.

Essential Skills and Expertise

• Significant leadership experience across strategy, innovation or business change in a complex, regulated or infrastructure-intensive organisation.
• Demonstrated success developing enterprise strategy, establishing planning processes and influencing executive decisions on priorities and trade-offs.
• Ability to translate market, regulatory, technology and industry insights into practical strategic advice and business roadmaps.
• Experience connecting asset management and distribution system operator strategies with enterprise direction.
• Proven ability to lead an innovation portfolios, oversee pilots and trials, and build the capability to embed successful ideas into operations.
• Strong commercial analysis and stakeholder engagement skills, with experience building partnerships across industry, government and research organisations.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and working across strategy, investment and delivery functions to turn priorities into measurable outcomes.
• Degree qualification in business, strategy, economics, engineering, commerce or a related discipline.
• Postgraduate qualifications will be highly regarded.

This role is based in Adelaide. Interstate applicants must be willing to relocate.

Applications close 18th of November 2026. The recruitment process will commence during the advertising period, with suitable candidates considered as applications are received.

Diversity & inclusion

SA Power Networks is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from people of all genders, ages, ethnicities and sexual orientations, and from people with disability.

We want everyone to have an accessible and inclusive recruitment experience. If you require reasonable adjustments, an application form in an alternative format or another accessible way to participate in the recruitment process, please contact [e-mail]

For more information about SA Power Networks visit www.sapowernetworks.com.au