Manager - Future System Studies

Overview

Join to apply for the Manager - Future System Studies role at Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO). AEMO is Australia's independent energy system and market operator and system planner. Its purpose is to ensure safe, reliable and affordable energy today, and enable the energy transition for the benefit of all Australians. Governments are committed to a net zero economy by 2050 and AEMO's vision is to enable this. We co-design the future of our energy systems with core values of character, commitment, and connection.

Role details

Department: System Design

Division: Future Energy Systems

Reference number: 12581

Engagement type: Permanent

Flexibility to be based in Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney (CBD or Norwest), Adelaide, Hobart, or Perth.

About the role

Managing a team of up to ten individuals, the Manager - Future System Studies leads an engineering centre of excellence and a team of highly skilled, future-focused power system engineers who are at the cutting edge of power system engineering. You and your senior staff will lead technical voices on emerging power system phenomena, helping the NEM stay ahead of emerging technical challenges by identifying risks ahead of time and enabling proactive solutions. You will be a trusted partner of Network Service Providers (NSPs), and AEMO's operational and planning teams, providing high quality service and advice.

What You Will Be Doing

• Lead the Future System Studies team including attracting, retaining, nurturing, and developing a high-performing team, managing external consultants when required, and contributing to enterprise leadership and stakeholder trust as a member of the FES Management team. Support the development and implementation of Departmental, Divisional and team initiatives in line with overall strategies.
• Lead the future power system study elements of the Engineering Roadmap and Transition Plan for System Security, including analysis of emerging power system phenomena, technology capabilities, and major system transition points; prioritise approaches to resolve the most pressing technical issues and enable timely action across industry.
• Develop and maintain power system study capability, tools, models, and future state cases for technical investigations.
• Lead the specification of technical requirements and capability from emerging technologies including grid forming inverters.
• Lead projects to assist project proponents in evaluating the service contributions of their assets.
• Deliver a program of planning studies in collaboration with AEMO's System Security Planning team and Transmission Network Service Providers (TNSPs) to prepare for future system transition points.
• Provide engineering expertise and advisory services to support reform development and implementation, ensuring policy, regulatory and market mechanisms consider technical and power system engineering requirements.
• Enable secure operation of a transforming NEM power system by motivating and enabling the team to deliver on accountabilities and influence stakeholders.
• Engage with internal and external stakeholders to provide expert advice on future power system development and energy system issues, influencing decision-making at executive levels and with market bodies, government, business and industry entities.
• Manage the production of clear, concise, high-quality written and verbal communications for technical and non-technical audiences.
• Manage team budget, risk register, resourcing, and compliance obligations, setting clear performance expectations for staff.

Education/Certificates

• Appropriate tertiary and/or postgraduate qualifications in a relevant discipline (for example engineering).

Experience and Knowledge

• Deep expertise in the operation and planning of large power systems, and engineering challenges as the NEM power system transitions.
• Experience building and managing teams in complex technical environments with a service-oriented, outcome-focused, and pragmatic approach.
• Experience in project planning, reporting, and delivery; delivering projects on budget and schedule to a high quality.
• Experience driving innovation and change, strategic thinking about future requirements, comfort with ambiguity, and delivering outcomes under resistance.
• Strong analytical skills to review and approve modelled outcomes used in key stakeholder messages.
• Strong verbal and written communication and editorial skills.
• Experience managing strategic changes requiring extensive stakeholder engagement and negotiation.
• Experience managing diverse stakeholders with conflicting interests, negotiating outcomes, and delivering on time and to budget.
• Experience facilitating industry working groups and resolving complex issues across stakeholders with competing objectives and drivers.
• Experience managing a matrix of resources with differing skills and objectives to meet time and budget requirements.
• Understanding of the NER, the NEM, and the Rule change framework.

Benefits

• Flexible working: work from home, part time, job share, hybrid options, and additional leave options.
• Professional development via projects, industry networks, job rotation, study assistance, and more.
• Volunteer leave up to 4 days per year.
• Annual performance bonuses (subject to eligibility).
• Wellness program, discounted health insurance, gym perks and Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

About Our Process

We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workforce. We welcome people of all backgrounds, including people with disabilities and neurodivergence and those who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. If you have accessibility requirements, please email For more information about working at AEMO, please check our careers page. For more information on AEMO, visit

Job Details

• Seniority level: Mid-Senior level
• Employment type: Full-time
• Job function: Information Technology
• Industries: Utilities

Location: Brisbane City, with flexibility to be based in Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney (CBD or Norwest), Adelaide, Hobart, or Perth.

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