Network Forecasting Lead

Future Energy; Hamilton; On-site; NZD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Life insurance

Income protection

Flexible working options

Job summary

WEL Networks in Hamilton is seeking a skilled forecasting specialist to lead the development, maintenance and improvement of the network forecasting capability. You will create scenario modelling that provides the business with clear views of future capacity, constraints and timing.

You will document assumptions, manage uncertainty and ensure forecasts are repeatable and auditable, while partnering with planning, asset management, digital, data, operations and stakeholder teams to enhance tools

Qualifications

• Experience developing forecasts and analysing complex datasets.
• Ability to turn modelling into clear business insight.
• Comfort with uncertainty and communicating technical outputs to diverse stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Develop and improve distribution energy scenarios reflecting growth, electrification and DER uptake.
• Translate modelling into forecasts of network capacity, headroom and constraints.
• Integrate network, customer, DER, weather and operational data into forecasting models.

Skills

Forecasting

Scenario modelling

Data analysis

Stakeholder communication

Education

Tertiary qualification in engineering or data science

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 9th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

• 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.

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.

Ready to learn more? Start here

If you’re excited by the opportunity to use data and forecasting to shape how electrification, customer growth and new energy technologies influence the future of electricity infrastructure, we’d love to hear from you.

We actively value diversity and inclusion and encourage you to bring your authentic self to your application. Check out the full position description for more details.

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.

Applications will be screened as they arrive, and interviews may begin before the closing date.

We are driven to upskill, bringing new trainees into the industry annually, and nurturing and growing our staff.

We have an active social club, encouraging our employees to interact, include their families in their work lives and just have fun!

Through our WEL Balanced programme we provide a range of wellbeing and wellness initiatives to enable our employees to thrive in our communities.

Our role is to design and maintain the safe, reliable and efficient operation of electrical distribution assets and infrastructure throughout the Waikato region.

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