Senior Regulatory Economist / Advisor

• Champion regulatory settings and their execution
• Develop and communicate principles and positioning
• Lead regulatory economic thought leadership

Contribute to development and refinement of Transpower's interpretation and understanding of its regulatory obligations, risks, opportunities, and incentives.

As owner and operator of the National Grid, our transmission network consists of 170 substations, 25,000 transmission towers and more than 11,000 kilometres of lines across public and privately held land - transporting bulk electricity (up to 220,000 volts) from where it is generated to cities, towns, and some major industrial users.

As System Operator we operate the wholesale electricity market. As part of our role, we ensure supply (provided by generators) matches demand (by electricity users). We are also responsible for ensuring New Zealand's electricity system is reliable, competitive, and innovative and we play an integral role in the planning of New Zealand's electricity future.

The energy industry is changing rapidly to support decarbonisation, and Transpower plays a key role to enable this change whilst remaining a fit for future organisation.

About the team

The Regulatory Affairs team provide services which enables Transpower both strategically and as a service to understand, meet, and shape its regulatory obligations, as well as to strengthen, and maintain relationships with key industry regulators, (Commerce Commission and Electricity Authority), as well as wider parts of the Government, to deliver effective advocacy and provides for central regulatory affairs oversight across the business.

About the opportunity

You will undertake varied and interesting work, which is extremely important. As Senior Regulatory Economist / Advisor you will play a key role providing intellectual leadership on regulatory matters, both within the Regulatory Affairs Team and throughout Transpower.

With responsibility for the provision of regulatory economic thought leadership to ensure Transpower delivers on strategic priorities and ongoing core work in an efficient way, you will engage with a wide range of stakeholders including electricity systems planning engineers, operations staff, wholesale market services specialists, cost estimators, financial analysts, strategy advisors, and a variety of senior managers, Executives and Directors, the Electricity Authority and Commerce Commission, auditors and a range of Consultants.

Contributing to the development and refinement of Transpower's regulatory settings and strategy, this role will see you operating at an enterprise level, supporting the understanding of regulatory settings and their application throughout the business, working across a range of core areas including:

• providing internal training and advice to foster a better understanding of the business, and of key aspects of Transpower's economic regulation and incentive settings.
• leading the production of our revenue forecasts for internal and external stakeholders.
• ensuring Transpower meets its regulatory reporting obligations, including preparing and peer reviewing parts of the annual regulatory disclosures.
• helping interpret and understand regulatory obligations, risks, opportunities, and incentives.

To read more about our regulatory setting https://www.transpower.co.nz/our-work/industry/regulation and our strategic context (Whakamana i Te Mauri Hiko - Empowering our Energy Future) and Transpower's strategic priorities (Transmission Tomorrow) https://www.transpower.co.nz/about-us/our-strategy

So, what will you bring?

With proven experience and ability to clearly and confidently articulate complex subject matter in an engaging manner that creates clarity and builds trust and confidence, you will have provided high-quality regulatory economic advice to Executive level, within a comparable regulated organisation.

You will be known as a trusted advisor through your ability to provide valued intellectual leadership on regulatory matters.

Supported by an underlying relevant tertiary qualification (commerce, economics, law, policy, finance) and an understanding of key micro economic and accounting principles, to be shortlisted, your CV and cover letter will clearly convey:

• 5+ years relevant regulatory work experience.
• excel modelling expertise - ideally financial, discounted cash flow and/or cost benefit modelling.
• advanced applied knowledge of regulatory thinking, industrial design, contract incentives, or similar experience.
• experience operating strategically, and cognisant of detailed rules and policy setting
• a strong desire to learn and engage autonomously with complex regulatory topics and legal determinations.
• willingness to accept and demonstrate ownership of work outputs such as economic models or regulatory disclosures.

Whilst not essential the following will be viewed favourably:

• Experience with audited business processes.

Join us at Transpower

Aotearoa is powered by the people who work here. Every home, every marae, every electric vehicle, every hospital relies on the electricity we manage and deliver. This is your opportunity to join us on a mission that affects all New Zealanders, every day and long into the future.

With over 28 nationalities, our people provide diverse perspectives, knowledge, and deep and varied experience which they love to share. Our environment is modern and family friendly with the option to work from home two days per week. Wellbeing is supported with great employee health and wellness benefits - check them out here https://www.transpower.co.nz/careers/working-transpower

Next steps

Please review the position description via our Careers site https://careers.transpower.co.nz/search and apply without delay! While this role will ideally be based in Wellington due to the collaboration required, other Transpower locations may be considered for exceptional candidates.

Please note full existing entitlement to work in Aotearoa New Zealand is required, and preference will be given to candidates already in country.

Role closes Monday February 17th, 2025; however, applications will be reviewed as they are received, and you may be contacted prior to the close date to explore your application further or to arrange an initial exploratory conversation.