Portfolio Manager

About the team

The Investment and Portfolio Group manages the end-to-end life cycle of ARENA's portfolio of funded projects. Within the Group, the Portfolio Management team are responsible for monitoring active projects and are focused on generating impact and value for money through well managed ARENA funding agreements and strong stakeholder engagement. They co-lead in the design and negotiation of funding agreements for newly funded projects, support the design of grant funding rounds and programs, and ensure effective contract management of projects with a risk-based approach.

Daily, they engage with various stakeholders to solve contracted related problems, assess contractual deliverable, facilitate variations to funding agreements, extract and share project insights, and identify and monitor emerging risks across individual grants and the portfolio.

About the position

The Portfolio Manager is accountable for managing funded projects within an Impact Team. They own the delivery of their projects from contracting through to project completion ensuring projects deliver against agreed objectives, risks are actively managed, and insights are captured to inform future investments. Additionally, they are supported and empowered to exercise well-reasoned professional judgment to provide impact focused recommendations on specific deliverables, variation requests, and emerging issues - combining meticulous attention to detail with a creative, problem-solving mindset.

The Portfolio Manager is expected to operate with a high degree of independence and ownership over their portfolio, exercising judgement and providing authoritative advice to both internal and external stakeholders.

The Portfolio Manager role can be located in Canberra, Sydney or Melbourne.

Responsibilities for the Portfolio Manager include

• Own and manage a range of funded projects within the Impact Team, ensuring delivery in line with ARENA's objectives, policies, and funding agreements.
• Negotiate, establish, and manage funding agreements, including responsibility for milestone assessments, approvals, and variation requests within delegation.
• Proactively monitor project performance, identifying risks, issues, and opportunities, and take timely action to resolve or escalate as appropriate.
• Provide expert, evidence-based advice on portfolio performance and emerging risks to the Impact Team and Portfolio Management Director.
• Build trusted relationships with grant recipients, industry partners, and other government agencies to enable effective delivery and risk management.
• Collaborate with internal colleagues (Investment, Strategy, Portfolio Insights, Comms, Finance, Legal) to ensure seamless management of projects and programs.
• Represent ARENA professionally in negotiations and stakeholder forums, ensuring funding agreements protect ARENA's interests and deliver impact.
• Exercise professional judgement and decision-making authority within delegated limits, without reliance on Director oversight for day-to-day matters.
• Balance risk and opportunity when making contracting, milestone, and project management decisions.
• Escalate complex or novel issues appropriately, while leading resolution of routine challenges independently.
• Provide guidance and coaching to Analysts or junior staff within the Impact Team, ensuring high quality delivery and professional growth.
• Contribute to capability uplift in portfolio management practices across ARENA by sharing best practices, lessons, and tools.
• Model ARENA's values and contribute to the collaborative, high-performing culture of the Impact Team.
• Ensure compliance with ARENA's policies, procedures, and governance frameworks in all portfolio management activities.
• Contribute to business improvement initiatives, including end-to-end grant process improvements and cross-agency projects.
• Champion a culture of learning and continuous improvement within the Impact Team.
• Monitor performance of, and mentor, reporting Portfolio Management staff.

Key opportunities

In this role, you will have the opportunity to:

• Manage a portfolio of funded projects that directly contribute to accelerating renewable energy innovation.
• Proactively identify and manage risks and opportunities, balancing compliance with innovation to deliver high-impact outcomes.
• Provide expert, evidence-based advice to senior leaders on portfolio performance and emerging trends.
• See innovation in renewable energy technology come to life in real-world application.
• Join a purpose-driven organisation with a strong learning culture.

What we are looking for

Knowledge and experience

• Experience and proficiency in contract management and negotiation, applying initiative and judgement.
• Expertise and a proven record of achievement leading complex projects or teams in contract management, or related compliance activities.
• Demonstrated ability to operate as an effective leader with a diverse team, exemplify genuine and supportive collaboration with stakeholders, and build capability in others.
• Knowledge of Australian Government contracting requirements, including the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 and the Commonwealth Procurement Guidelines.
• Understanding of and experience in value chains, project design, development and delivery is highly regarded.
• Knowledge of renewable energy sector trends, technologies, and industry dynamics (desirable).
• Ability to work autonomously and within a team environment.
• Ability to manage own resources effectively and prioritise competing tasks and deliverables to meet agreed deadlines

Skills and capabilities

• Strong contract and portfolio/grant management skills, with proven ability to own delivery end-to-end.
• Independent decision-maker with sound judgement in balancing risk, compliance, and impact.
• Effective stakeholder management and negotiation skills, with the ability to build trusted internal and external relationships.
• Strong communication skills to share insights effectively and foster collaboration.
• Ability to consider and effectively manage competing priorities and strategic directions when achieving outcomes in line with agency goals and objectives.
• Analytical capability to extract insights and communicate portfolio-level trends.
• Leadership capability to mentor junior staff and contribute to a collaborative team culture.
• Strong knowledge of Renewable Energy desirable.

Why us

At ARENA, we are committed to providing an inclusive culture so our employees can bring their whole selves to work and have a sense of belonging. You don't need to be an expert in renewable energy or energy markets, but a keen interest in advancing an ambitious energy and climate agenda will be helpful.

In addition to the above:

• We have Flexible working arrangements
• You will have front row tickets to leading edge technology in the sector
• Work in an impactful and evolving environment
• Be part of a team that collaborates and makes a difference
• Invest in your career and your future

We encourage applications from diverse backgrounds and experiences. We strongly believe that diversity of experience, perspectives, and background will lead to a better environment for our workers and better outcomes for Australia.

At ARENA, your ideas are welcomed, and your expertise is respected. If you want to work somewhere you can make a difference, grow your skills, and be part of a supportive, forward-thinking team, ARENA is the place for you.

Please note that applications will be reviewed in mid-January 2026.