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
Due to continued growth, we're looking for a Network Planning Distribution Lead reporting to our Network Development Manager to help shape the future of our network and planning capability. It's a fantastic opportunity for an experienced planning engineer ready to take the next step into leadership, influencing technical decisions, guiding future investment, and helping develop capability across the team.
Working across our 11kV and low voltage network, you'll identify emerging challenges, assess future needs, and turn complex technical information into practical planning and investment decisions. You'll collaborate with stakeholders across the business, helping shape the pipeline of work that supports a safe, reliable, and resilient network.
This role will suit someone who enjoys seeing the bigger picture and leading through influence. Alongside your technical expertise, you'll bring strong communication skills, a collaborative approach, and the ability to bring others on the journey.
Lead short and medium-term planning for our 11kV and low voltage network
Identify network constraints, risks, growth drivers, and future investment needs
Guide the development and assessment of network and non-network solutions
Support business cases and investment recommendations that balance risk, reliability, resilience, customer outcomes, and whole-of-life cost
Influence planning priorities and help align future investment pathways across the business
Work closely with stakeholders, customers, consultants and industry partners to develop practical solutions
Provide technical leadership, coaching, and guidance that helps grow capability across the planning team
About you
You might already be leading projects, mentoring colleagues, or providing technical guidance and looking for your first leadership opportunity in the future.
You'll bring:
A Level 7 Electrical Engineering qualification or equivalent experience
Experience within electricity distribution or transmission planning environments
Strong asset management and network planning capability
Experience developing options, business cases, and investment recommendations
The ability to translate complex technical information into clear and practical insights
Strong relationship-building and stakeholder engagement skills
A collaborative approach and a genuine desire to help others succeed
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
Three days of “My Days” leave
A broad range of workplace benefits from a wellbeing allowance to access to our holiday house in Hanmer!