The company
Passionate, curious, and innovative are a few words that describe our people. We are powering the future, connecting communities, and igniting innovation. Orion owns and operates the electricity distribution network that provides power to central Canterbury. As the third largest electricity distribution network in New Zealand, we cover remote rural areas, regional towns, and the city of Christchurch.
We are an essential service and take our responsibilities seriously. We are community owned and working here means a career with meaning and purpose that makes a difference in your very own neighbourhood.
The role
The way electricity is generated, used and stored in Aotearoa is changing and demand-side flexibility has an important role to play. As our Flexibility and Markets Development Lead you'll build on the work already underway developing market and commercial solutions that encourage flexibility and help us make smarter use of our network.
This is a rapidly evolving area, so we're not expecting someone who already has every answer. We're looking for curiosity, fresh thinking and a genuine passion for turning ideas into practical solutions. You'll explore and pilot new approaches, strengthen relationships across the energy sector and influence how flexibility supports our network and New Zealand's energy future. If that prospect excites you, we'd love to hear from you.
Build on our flexibility programme, identifying opportunities that create value for customers, our network and the wider electricity system
Develop and integrate market and commercial solutions, including pricing approaches, flexibility services and flexible connections
Turn promising ideas into practical solutions that can be piloted, assessed and scaled
Combine customer insight and understanding of business models to reduce barriers to participation
Collaborate across the business to understand network needs, assess value and shape effective, customer-focused solutions
Apply insights from local and global development, representing Orion in industry and regulatory forums to help influence future market settings
Lead innovation projects from concept to delivery, managing scope, budgets, risks, reporting and outcomes
About you
You'll be comfortable navigating a fast-moving sector, bringing people together and challenging conventional thinking when there's a better way forward.
A relevant tertiary qualification, ideally in engineering, economics or a related field
A genuine interest in innovative, customer-focused energy solutions
An understanding of New Zealand's electricity sector, markets and demand-side flexibility, with transferable sector experience welcomed
Naturally curious and quick to understand emerging concepts, business models and industry developments
Skilled at translating local and global insights into practical solutions for the business
Comfortable working across teams, constructively challenging ideas and building support for change
A clear, adaptable communicator who can engage and influence a range of audiences
What they offer
You'll find at Orion, you can come as you are and just be you. You will be joining a workplace that values who you are, the work you do, and the way you think.
Importantly, we offer:
Flexible working arrangements, and flexible locations with our head office in Burnside and satellite offices in Rolleston and Ferrymead
Five extra days of leave a year - three days of “My Days” leave and two “Orion Days” between Christmas and New Year
A broad range of workplace benefits from a wellbeing allowance to access to our holiday house in Hanmer!