Program Development Manager

Program Development Manager – Permanent Full Time – Perth CBD

Be part of Western Australia’s clean energy transformation. 

Western Power is driving the transition toward a sustainable future, and the Clean Energy Link (CEL) program is at the heart of this transition. We’re seeking a Program Development Manager to drive the development of one of the most significant transmission infrastructure programs in WA’s history - connecting renewable energy to the grid and enabling decarbonisation for generations to come. 

Your Role in Action   

• Provide leadership and clear direction for all resources assigned to the Program, including managing and coordinating multidisciplinary teams and external consultants/contractors. Ensure successful planning, organisation, solution design, and delivery of the business case for a major transmission infrastructure program. 
• Drive the development and delivery of interdependent projects to achieve targeted outcomes, including governance, milestones, timeframes, financial performance (cost, budgets, benefits), and stakeholder management.  
• Collaborate closely with the Transmission Portfolio Office to ensure adherence to program governance and assurance frameworks, processes, and standards from inception through to realisation.  
• Develop and manage budgets for the Scoping and Planning phase, track expenditure, and report performance against plan. Prepare the program’s Estimate at Completion (EAC) forecast, monitor scope changes and impacts, and progress estimates from initial scoping to business case submission and funding approval.  
• Lead cadence and reporting processes to track activities and deliverables, identification and timely resolution of risks and issues, as well as financial performance, resource allocation, and opportunities to accelerate. Monitor progress, adjust plans, and refocus teams to improve performance and benefits realisation. Act as a change agent to drive organisational readiness.  
• Ensure effective communication and stakeholder engagement, manage risks and change impacts, and enable program objectives without unnecessary business disruption.  
• Lead the Program Joint Planning Team (key stakeholders from across the business)  to enable informed, timely problem-solving, options analysis and investment decisions that underpin robust business cases aligned with organisational objectives.  
• Provide formal leadership to virtual, matrixed, and project teams with competing priorities, ensuring effective delivery of program outcomes. Complete employee lifecycle milestones, maintain engagement, and develop team capability.  
• Collaborate with program owners, sponsors, Heads of Function, and Executives to identify and resolve conflicts and issues within the program.  
• Ensure compliance with internal policies, frameworks, procedures, legislation, and professional standards.  
• Foster a constructive and consultative environment through open communication and strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders. 

What Makes You a Great Fit  

• Bachelor's degree (or higher) in Engineering, Business Management, Economics, Project Management, Finance, or related discipline 
• Significant broad strategic and operational knowledge and expertise in managing and delivering large scale, complex infrastructure & strategic Programs of work with Director/ Portfolio Management level experience in successful transformation projects delivery preferably within an electrical or utilities environment. 
• Expertise in business case development, program governance, and stakeholder management. 
  Proactive, tenacious, and strong influencing - skills to drive successful delivery of results and meet stakeholder expectations. 
• Commercial acumen, to lead and develop external work packages and develop the execution strategy for the program, understanding key commercial design and construct frameworks and delivery methodologies. 
• Advanced negotiation, problem solving and relationship skills and the ability to communicate at all levels of the organisation including C Suite. 
• Excellent communication, negotiation and presentation skills including demonstrated ability to consult, guide and influence decision makers using appropriate authority. 
• Strong business and financial acumen, analytical and problem-solving skills and exposure to risk and issue management and governance processes. 
• Demonstrated strategic and people leadership, including resourcing and management skills, working within a matrix structure, and ability to engage and drive teams (including virtual teams) to produce outcomes which meet desired timeframes. 
• Highly developed analytical skills required to be applied to complex organisational challenges and opportunities. 
• Understanding of and ability to develop sound business cases to support major change initiatives, pitched at an Executive level. 

By joining Western Power, you will contribute to powering a cleaner energy future. We are dedicated to fostering career development and promoting a healthy work-life balance, empowering you to drive innovation as we develop a network that will serve the Western Australian community for generations. You will also benefit from a range of perks and opportunities, including:  

• Over 50% of our employment opportunities are driven by career progression.   
• Flexible work arrangements to support part time work, working hours and working from home arrangements.  
• 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.  
• An award-winning employee recognition and benefits programme.  
• An innovative team culture that’s enabling the transition to renewable energy and decarbonisation.    
• In addition to standard leave, enjoy three wellness leave days each year. 
• Access to end-of-trip facilities at our Perth office and South Metro Depot, perfect for cyclists. 
• 22 weeks paid parental leave and 5 days of First Nations cultural leave to support family and cultural connections. 

Applications close on 18 December 2025 

We value diversity and inclusivity, encouraging applications from all backgrounds, including women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and LGBTQIA+ communities. As a WORK180-endorsed employer for women, we are proud of our commitment to inclusion. You can learn more about this through our Reconciliation Action Plan and Disability Access and Inclusion Plan.  

Learn more about Western Power here: About (westernpower.com.au)  

Find out how we’re building A Network for Life: A network for life (westernpower.com.au)