Grid Connection Manager - Early-Stage Solar and BESS

• Pivotal Role in Renewable Energy Transition in Australia
• Diverse and Dynamic Work Environment
• Contribution to a Greener Future

The Company

Our client, a widely recognised multinational conglomerate with renewable energy operations in the US, Canada, Asia and Europe, has engaged Robert Half Executive Search to identify a highly skilled and experienced Grid Connection Manager/Engineer. The successful candidate will lead and manage the Grid Connection process of multiple large-scale Solar, Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), and Hybrid from early-stage development to commissioning. This remote position will be expected to travel to projects in NSW, QLD and VIC, including the Head Office in Sydney when required.

The Role

Reporting to the Managing Director, this role will be pivotal in ensuring the successful integration of the organisation's Solar and BESS projects into the grid infrastructure. Working closely with the development team, the Grid Connection Manager will provide specialist knowledge and a deep understanding of all aspects of Grid connection works. This role will be responsible for the early-stage Grid Connection process, including locating appropriate sites, managing zoning and connection approval procedures, and negotiating transactional agreements with external service providers.

The Grid Connection Manager will be instrumental in streamlining the development process, ensuring a smooth transition from the initial connection inquiry stage to R2 testing and model validation.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide subject matter expertise on Grid Connection deliverables to the development team on potential Solar, BESS, or Hybrid project opportunities.
• Oversee and facilitate the due diligence process & pre-feasibility assessments regarding Grid Connection actions and deliverables.
• Assist the development team in identifying potential solar & BESS energy project opportunities and the viability of the generation connection process during site assessments and technical analysis of the risks, costs, and modelling involved with potential projects.
• Manage consultants to perform Grid Connection studies on Solar, Solar+BESS, and standalone BESS projects from initial completion of the connection inquiry to preparation of connection package, R0, R1, and R2 commissioning stages of the whole Grid Connection.
• Oversee & secure the Connection Agreements with AEMO/NSPs and cost-effective commercial contracts for Samsung C&T REA investment and sales projects as required.
• Facilitate stakeholder engagement with AEMO for generator registration in the NEM and collaborate with NSPs to navigate the Grid Connection process, ensuring compliance and transparent communication.
• Cultivate positive relationships with AEMO and NSPs, ensuring a streamlined process for current and future projects.
• Coordinate resource allocation to meet project needs while considering the organisation's overall resource availability, including time and budget, and priorities.

Your Profile

The preferred candidate should possess a minimum of 5 years experience in renewable energy, with at least 3 years dedicated to delivering Grid Connection services, particularly in large-scale Solar and/or BESS storage projects. Ideally, this experience would be within a multinational corporation. A bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or related field with coursework specialising in power grid studies, including topics such as load flows, voltage stability and grid integration. Familiarity with power system software packages, including Powerfactory, PSS/E, PASCAD, PVSyst, and AutoCAD is preferred.

The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of obtaining Grid Connection approvals connecting systems over 30MW + within NEM (WEM experience is a plus) in Australia. A strong understanding of the legal and compliance standards within the National Electricity Market (NEM) is crucial for this role.

Apply Today

Please send your resume by clicking on the apply button. Your application will be assessed within 3-5 working days. Please note only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Learn more about our recruitment services: https://www.roberthalf.com.au/contact-us

PLEASE NOTE THAT ONLY APPLICANTS WITH FULL WORKING RIGHTS IN AUSTRALIA WILL BE CONSIDERED