Network Forecasting Lead

WEL Networks; Hamilton; Hybrid; NZD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Flexible working options

Relocation support

Salary reviews

Job summary

WEL Networks is seeking a forecasting specialist in Hamilton to lead development and improvement of our network forecasting capability. You will create scenario modelling to give clear views of future network capacity, including constraints, timing and key drivers.

You will inform Asset Management Plan inputs, investment planning and future network development priorities, collaborating with multiple teams to enhance forecasting tools and outputs.

Qualifications

• Forecasting capability development and maintenance.
• Experience with scenario modelling and analysing complex datasets.
• Ability to translate modelling outputs into clear business insights.
• Comfort communicating technical outputs to technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Develop and improve distribution future energy scenarios reflecting growth, electrification, DER uptake and changing customer behaviour.
• Translate complex data and scenario modelling into practical network capacity, headroom and constraint forecasts.
• Integrate network, customer, DER, smart meter, weather, spatial and operational data into forecasting models.
• Document assumptions, manage uncertainty and ensure forecasts are repeatable, auditable and trusted.
• Monitor forecast accuracy and use insights to improve models, assumptions and methodology.
• Collaborate with planning, asset management, digital, data, operations and stakeholder teams to enhance forecasting tools and reporting outputs.

Skills

Forecasting

Scenario modelling

Data analysis

Stakeholder communication

Education

Tertiary qualification in engineering / data science / statistics / economics / mathematics / energy / technology / planning or related discipline

Job description

• Shape the future of electricity network planning
• Turn complex data into practical investment insight
• Annual salary reviews plus health, life and income protection insurance

About the Role

Reporting to the Head of DSO, you will lead the development, maintenance and improvement of WEL’s network forecasting capability. You will create scenario modelling that gives the business a clear view of future network capacity, including emerging constraints, likely timing and key drivers.

Your work will help inform Asset Management Plan inputs, investment planning and future network development priorities.

In this role, you will:

• Develop and improve distribution future energy scenarios that reflect plausible future pathways for growth, electrification, DER uptake and changing customer behaviour.
• Translate complex data and scenario modelling into practical network capacity, headroom and constraint forecasts.
• Integrate relevant network, customer, DER, smart meter, weather, spatial and operational data into forecasting models where available.
• Document assumptions, manage uncertainty and ensure forecasts are repeatable, auditable and trusted.
• Monitor forecast accuracy against actual outcomes and use insights to continuously improve models, assumptions and methodology.
• Work closely with planning, asset management, digital, data, operations and stakeholder teams to improve forecasting tools, data requirements and reporting outputs.

About You

You’ll be a technically credible, analytical and collaborative forecasting specialist who can bring:

• A relevant tertiary qualification in engineering, data science, statistics, economics, mathematics, energy, technology, planning or a related discipline, or equivalent practical experience.
• Experience developing forecasts, working with scenario modelling and analysing complex datasets, ideally within electricity distribution, utilities, infrastructure, energy, planning or asset management.
• The ability to turn complex modelling into clear business insight.
• Confidence working with uncertainty, testing assumptions and communicating technical outputs to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Best-in-class Benefits

At WEL, we know great people need great support. That’s why we offer a benefits package designed to look after you and your whānau, support work-life balance, and recognise the value you bring.

• Medical, life and income protection insurance
• Flexible working options – work from home up to two days per week, ability to purchase additional annual leave, 9-day fortnight, and much more
• Relocation costs, and
• An excellent salary package, including annual salary reviews

About WEL Networks

WEL Networks is unique. We’ve been serving the Waikato for over 100 years, distributing electricity from the national grid so we can power over 100,000 homes and businesses.

With around 300 employees, we’re proudly based in Hamilton and are owned by the community we work for. We play an important role in the region's economic and social development by identifying and investing in new technologies to future-proof our region – and keep our communities flourishing. Our vision is bold. And our ambition even stronger, especially as we diversify from traditional ‘poles and lines’ to an innovative and sustainable business.

We actively value diversity and inclusion and encourage you to bring your authentic self to your application.

As part of our commitment to safety in a critical industry, all successful candidates will be required to undergo a drug and alcohol test and complete a police background check prior to starting with WEL.