Network Connections Planning Manager

Ausgrid; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary sacrifice EV

Novated leasing

Discounted health insurance

Fitness Passport

Study assistance

Parental leave

Aged care support

Job summary

Ausgrid is seeking a Network Connections Planning Manager to lead a team of engineers shaping the connections for NSW's future. You will direct complex planning studies, guide regulatory compliant connection processes, and collaborate with AEMO, Transgrid and EnergyCo to advance large-scale generation, storage and loads.

The role requires senior expertise in energy networks and proven leadership. Based in Newcastle or Sydney (Haymarket), with hybrid working and a competitive package including a

Qualifications

• Senior experience in transmission and/or distribution network planning.
• Expert knowledge of national electricity rules and regulatory environment.
• Ability to lead and develop technical professionals.

Responsibilities

• Lead specialised planning studies and modelling to connect large generators and loads.
• Oversee connection processes under NER Chapter 5 and related standards.
• Develop and implement tools and software for planning studies.
• Provide stewardship of Ausgrid’s planning knowledge for generation, storage and loads.
• Engage with customers, regulators and industry stakeholders to progress complex connections.

Skills

Senior level planning

Power systems modelling

Regulatory & policy understanding

Stakeholder engagement

Leadership & mentoring

Executive communication

Decision making under uncertainty

Education

Electrical Engineering degree

Postgraduate power systems qualification

Tools

Power system modelling tools

Job description

• Lead a highly skilled technical team shaping some of the most complex connections to our electricity network.
• Competitive salary plus 20% bonus opportunity and 12% Super + benefits.
• Role can be based at Haymarket, Sydney or Newcastle HQ | Hybrid working.

About Ausgrid - we're wired for good

We're the largest distributor on the east coast, which means over two million homes and businesses rely on our good work. We're at the heart of the energy transition, and we're driven by powerful purpose to make electricity accessible for all. It's an exciting chapter for our company with each day bringing a renewed energy to how we deliver, store and use electricity.

As we continue to grow, we’re in search of exceptional talent to help us achieve our goals. Everyone's job is important here. Our customers come from all walks of life, and so do we. We're committed to fostering diverse, respectful and inclusive workplaces, and encourage applications from all backgrounds.

About the Role

Help connect the infrastructure that will power NSW's future. Data centres, Renewable Energy Zones, grid-scale batteries, generation and the electrification of industry and transport are all coming to our network, at a scale and pace never seen before. As our Network Connections Planning Manager, you'll decide how they connect safely, efficiently and in line with the National Electricity Rules.

Reporting to the Head of Network Planning, you’ll lead a highly capable technical engineering team responsible for these connections during this critical period. This is an opportunity to combine your leadership capability, energy-industry knowledge and network planning experience in a role that sits at the intersection of customers, engineering, regulation and the energy transition.

Responsible for assessing and managing complex customer generation and load connections, you'll provide leadership and direction to a team of six technical engineering specialists through connection processes, while engaging with key industry partners, participants and stakeholders. The formal remit includes leading specialised planning and modelling activities required to connect large generators and loads, as well as working with organisations including AEMO, Transgrid, AER and EnergyCo on broader strategic planning initiatives such as Renewable Energy Zones.

The successful applicant can be based at our Newcastle or Sydney (Haymarket) head office, with flexible and hybrid working.

Key responsibilities include:

• Lead a team of highly skilled professionals responsible for performing specialised planning studies and modelling required to connect large generators and large loads as defined by the National Electricity Rules and the Electricity Infrastructure Investment Act.
• Oversee connection processes under NER Chapter 5, including Schedule 5 technical requirements, negotiating access and generator performance standards, and working with AEMO through registration and commissioning.
• Lead the development and implementation of tools and software solutions needed to perform specialised planning studies for large generators and large loads.
• Provide stewardship for Ausgrid’s technical body of knowledge in planning expertise for large scale generation, storage and large loads.
• Work collaboratively with customers and key industry stakeholders to progress complex connection requirements.
• Establish strong relationships across organisations including AEMO, DCCEEW, Transgrid, EnergyCo and other regulatory and government bodies.
• Lead and support joint planning activities associated with NSW-wide strategic projects.
• Guide the development of policies, standards, procedures and approaches supporting specialised network planning.
• Contribute to regulatory submissions and industry working groups associated with strategic projects and changes supporting the NSW energy transition.

You’ll Bring

This opportunity will suit an experienced energy or electricity-network professional who combines strong industry knowledge with people leadership capability.

You don't need to be the person undertaking every detailed technical study. What is important is that you understand the environment and have the technical credibility to lead experienced specialists, navigate complex issues and make sound decisions.

• Senior experience in transmission and/or distribution network planning, including the technical, commercial and regulatory sides.
• Deep knowledge of power systems modelling, with the credibility to guide and quality-assure specialist connection studies.
• Expert working knowledge of the NER connection framework, the Electricity Infrastructure Investment Act and the wider NEM regulatory environment.
• Demonstrated experience leading and developing technical professionals.
• The ability to work effectively with customers, regulators, government bodies and other electricity network participants.
• Strong stakeholder engagement, communication, negotiation and influencing capability.
• Sound analytical, problem-solving and risk-management capability.
• Confidence writing executive-level documents and negotiating with customers, regulators and other network service providers.
• A degree in Electrical Engineering recognised for membership of Engineers Australia. A postgraduate qualification in power systems is highly regarded.

Life at Ausgrid

At Ausgrid, we go beyond just a competitive salary to offer an exciting range of benefits. From salary sacrificing electric vehicles and novated leasing, to discounted corporate health insurance and access to Fitness Passport, our benefits support your work here, and your life out there.

Celebrate success every day with our employee recognition program to bring out each other’s best. Looking to grow professionally? We’ve got you covered with study assistance, secondments, training and mentors, whose advice you’ll keep wherever you go.

We’re proud to offer gender-neutral parental leave to balance work when growing your family. And if you’re caring for elderly parents, our aged care support services offer expert guidance to help you access care for your loved ones. At Ausgrid, it's all about supporting you in every aspect of life. If you require support with your application/reasonable adjustments for the interview process, please reach out to our dedicated Talent Team [e-mail].

By applying, you may be considered for a Talent Pool to support future opportunities over the next 12 months.