SUMMARY

This is an unique opportunity to drive an exciting technology deployment pilot to showcase an all-electric future in a community in NSW’s Illawarra region. The Pilot Operations Manager will be the pivotal role leading the project.

You will have responsibility for overseeing the operations of the pilot, including managing project timelines and budget, key stakeholders, research design and funding obligations. The position begins as a 3 month contract until delivery of the commencement phase objectives at which point the position will be extended for a further 2 - 2 ½ years.

ABOUT THE PILOT

Rewiring Australia has put electrification on the national agenda as the fastest way to accelerate emissions reduction in Australia. For households this means replacing gas appliances with efficient electric appliances, maximising rooftop solar and supporting storage and EVs that provide energy to the grid.

This deployment project will electrify 500 homes within a single distribution network area. This concentrated location will test the model and reveal important technical and social barriers. The pilot will further identify key economic and regulatory barriers and opportunities that will help us understand how to advance electrification across the nation.

Rewiring Australia created this electrification deployment concept in order to accelerate climate action. We have partnered with an energy solutions company and a network company to undertake a world-first community electrification pilot.

Rewiring Australia will be responsible primarily for the design and execution of the research outcomes as well as the recruitment and engagement of 500 participants. The initial testing stages of the project are predicted to start in Q3 2024 with full rollout in 2025 and 2026 including monitoring and research.

ABOUT REWIRING AUSTRALIA

Rewiring Australia is a dynamic, growing non-profit organisation. We are the Australian part of a growing international network of climate organisations pushing for rapid emission reduction through electrification. We have shifted the climate and energy debate towards urgent, optimistic action that reduces energy bills for consumers and has the potential to deliver emissions reduction towards a 1.5 degree carbon budget. Most Rewiring Australia staff work remotely but this position will be located with local staff in the 2515 postcode area.

REPORTING & RELATIONSHIPS

• Report directly to Rewiring Australia’s Managing Director
• Work closely with the existing Rewiring Australia staff focused on the Pilot in the community
• Manage three roles within a new pilot team: the Pilot Communications Manager, Pilot Deployment and Research Manager and Pilot Engagement Support Officer
• Work closely with Rewiring Australia’s pilot partners
• Work with Rewiring Australia’s other staff as needed

REMUNERATION, BENEFITS AND TERMS

• $115-125,000 annual salary plus standard superannuation entitlements
• Full-time, 3 month contract with extension to a 2 - 2 ½ year contract (contingent on reaching milestone)
• 38 hours per week with some out of hours work required
• Standard leave entitlements
• Working from Thirroul office (some remote working acceptable)

RESPONSIBILITIES

Initial 3 months:

Establish and lead the operations of the pilot project, including project planning and risk management and initial engagement with stakeholders, detailed in an operations plan. This will include:

• Establish project management and reporting processes
• Design and establish the processes and data collection for the research outcomes for the pilot (which will be executed by the Deployment and Research Manager during the pilot)
• Design of the project participation and subsidy model, in collaboration with project partner
• Planning the rollout of each of the pilot phases, to ensure the project can be delivered on time, within scope and budget
• Collaborate closely with the Pilot Communications Manager on Pilot launch and awareness activities
• Liaise with key stakeholders for operations plan, especially pilot partners, as well as local installers
• Help recruit roles for a new pilot team including a Pilot Deployment and Research Manager and Pilot Engagement Support Officer

Subsequent 2 - 2 ½ years:

• Manage and execute the operations/project plan for Rewiring Australia’s funding requirements to deliver a successful pilot.
• Liaise with key stakeholders for operations plan, especially pilot partners Brighte and Endeavour Energy, as well Rewiring Australia staff and external organisations.
• Support the Pilot Communications Manager who will be responsible for the development and implementation of a communications and engagement strategy to market to and recruit 500 households in the pilot.
• Support the Pilot Deployment and Research Manager who will be responsible for ensuring installation data is collected, meets research objectives and field support is provided.
• Support the Engagement and Support officer who will be responsible for helping deliver engagement activities and as point of contact for customer enquiries.
• With input from the Deployment and Research Manager, write research reports for funders and external stakeholders at each stage of the pilot.
• Manage and provide regular reports on the pilot budget, risks, insurance, funding and legal requirements.

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

In this role you’ll face a huge diversity of tasks leading a real world electrification of a concentrated community. The right person will bring leadership and management experience and the ability to work strategically and commercially to manage risks and stakeholders, but also be happy to roll up their sleeves and get things done themselves, engage with community members, and attract participants and partners to the project.

This role does not have a formal qualifications requirement, but it is a senior position and the opportunity to lead a world-first project that will have significant public attention and policy influence. The ideal person will have a mix of:

• Demonstrated extensive experience in managing and executing operations or projects
• Demonstrated interest and experience in energy systems technology, household electrification, building retrofits and/or climate change
• Demonstrated experience managing the design and delivery of high-quality research outputs with high level analytical skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to manage internal and external stakeholder relationships, and produce written reports
• Excellent organisational, time management and problem-solving skills
• An understanding of climate and energy policy and industry

To find out more about us, please see our website here: rewiringaustralia.org.