Principal Operations System Strategist

Do you want to deliver work that truly matters to our community?

There’s never been a better time to join the energy industry! At Western Power we’re working towards our vision for a clean energy future and we’re looking for diverse, passionate people to join our team of world leading experts.

The electricity distribution network is changing rapidly with customers connecting and using a variety of Distributed Energy Resources (DER) including solar PV, batteries, and electric vehicles. The transmission network is also changing to support decarbonisation and increasing renewable energy connections. 

To respond to this change, Western Power has several Strategic Initiatives such as the development of Distribution System Operator (DSO) capabilities and Control Room of the Future. As a DSO, Western Power will enable orchestrated DER to deliver the social, environmental, and economic benefits for our community while maintaining a safe and reliable energy supply.

We are looking for an experienced and motivated Principal Operations Strategist on a Permanent Full-Time basis, who can work in a forward-thinking environment and collaborate with business colleagues, industry stakeholders and technology partners. You will play a vital role in shaping and delivering on initiatives within Strategic Business Priorities such as Transmission Network Growth and Distribution Transformation.

About this role

This position is accountable for providing technical thought leadership regarding the short-, medium- and long-term strategies for the Western Power Operational Systems and associated value streams. This must be done to ensure alignment with the requirements of Network Operations to run the Transmission and Distribution networks and to deliver optimal outcomes for other parts of the business that use or rely on these systems.

The key focus of this role will initially be the primary Liaison representing Network Operations on the Distribution System Operator (DSO) Strategic Initiative for the Distribution Energy Transition Function.

The role includes oversight of multiple concurrent initiatives delivering new features including upgrades and changes to the various Operational Systems. The role calls for active identification and management of risks, issues, and gaps associated with scaling. Stakeholder management up to the Executive levels to set expectations and manage conflicting priorities is key to success in this role.

To provide technical thought leadership, through strategic business alignment and comprehensive technical capability, utilising relevant resources (dotted line reporting), to successfully drive and deliver clearly documented strategies. This position must work closely with the delivery capability across multiple interdependent programs of work to enforce appropriate governance and achieve strategic business outcomes.
 

• Develop and deliver detailed short-, medium- and long-term strategic plans for the key operational systems used by Network Operations and Western Power
• Change management / communicating the change process and benefits to ensure support from key stakeholders and the effective implementation of the initiative / program.
• Lead and influence cross functional representation and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders to ensure successful implementation of solutions.
• Ensure all resources are provided where required for the timely delivery of expected outcomes.
• Matrix management of internal experts to ensure appropriate inputs to achieve overall strategic objectives.
• Understand the complex regulatory environment and reputational impact to Western Power.
• Oversee multiple Operational Systems programs and associated initiatives with the mandate to ensure outcomes are achieved in a timely manner; manage cross function and complex initiative interdependencies, risks, issues, and ensure assumptions are identified, monitored, and actively managed.
• Act as the “go-to” and definitive thought and technical leader by providing significant guidance, advice, and counsel to support the resolution of complex issues.
• Develop strategic objectives and governance structures, develop business cases as required, establish budget and resources through the IRC process and work closely with delivery partners to deliver from inception to approval.
• Ensure that activities operate in line with internal policies, frameworks, and procedures.
• Ensure that activities comply with all relevant legislation and professional standards.
• Determine business information requirements and manage internal relationships to provide the necessary support.
• Provide high level technical and strategic advice on Operational Systems to the Head of Function.
• Successful risk management against regulatory, commercial, reputational, legal and safety risks.

About you 

We are seeking someone with experience and attributes that include:

• Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in Engineering, Business Management, Economics, Project Management, Finance or related discipline 
  or
  Equivalent of a trade qualification and 20+ years of direct electricity industry experience.
• A seasoned professional with broad and/or deep Operational Systems knowledge and expertise gained through at least 20 years of comprehensive experience
• Significant experience developing short, medium and long term strategies in complex environments involving multiple systems
• Proven successful strategic delivery outcomes within tight timeframes within a complex environment.
• Strong negotiation and relationship skills and the ability to communicate at all levels of the organisation including Executive.
• Strong knowledge of techniques, tools and approaches for strategic planning, prioritisation, delivery and stakeholder engagement in complex and rapidly changing environments.
• Ability to negotiate with internal and external stakeholders to achieve win-win outcomes.
• Ability to lead and influence stakeholders to achieve business outcomes.
• Ability to condense multiple information streams to make informed strategic decisions.
• Proven technical leadership and team building skills when managing large and complex implementations.
• Strategic perspective, strong analytical and business acumen capability, ability to think conceptually and ability to apply business context to when generating solutions.

Joining Western Power

Our people play a vital role in creating an innovative, safe, and supportive workplace, living our values and delivering exceptional service to the communities in which we operate.
 

We are committed to building a diverse workforce and strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disabilities, people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, women, young & mature age workers, the LGBTQI+ community.

We are an employer of choice, offering our employees a range of benefits that include:

• Competitive salary plus 11% superannuation
• Flexible work arrangements that support part time work, flexible working hours and working from home arrangements
• Professional Development opportunities including training initiatives and study assistance
• An award-winning employee recognition and benefits programme
• Access to five Employee Network Groups – First Nations, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse, Diverse Sexualities and Genders, Women, and People with Disability – which celebrate and communicate the diversity of our workforce and connect diversity and inclusion to our broader business activities
• The opportunity to purchase up to four weeks of additional leave per year
• Access to salary packaging, social club activities, and discounted health insurance and gym membership

Important information

We are committed to our Disability Access and Inclusion Plan 2021 - 2027 and ensuring that people with disability have equal opportunities to gain and maintain employment with Western Power. It is strongly encouraged that people with a disability who meet the inherent requirements of the position description apply for this role.

We are also proud to have launched our Innovate RAP in Mar 2022 (Reconciliation Action Plan). Our Innovate RAP outlines our commitment to the Reconciliation journey in WA.

Our recruitment process requires that all candidates who progress to the pre-employment stage must hold a police clearance issued within the last six months.

Join us and play a part in powering the future of Western Australia.

To find out more about us please visit https://www.westernpower.com.au/about/

Applications close on 21 May 2024

Submit your application by clicking the ‘apply’ button.