Operational Practices Lead - Aurora Energy

Operational Practices Lead

Dunedin (strongly preferred)

• We’re hiring following an internal promotion

• Influence how work gets done across the network

• Step out of reactive operations into a high-impact role

Aurora Energy is one of New Zealand’s largest electricity networks, delivering safe, reliable, and sustainable electricity to over 200,000 residents across Ōtepoti Dunedin, Central Otago/Wānaka, and Tāhuna Queenstown. Our purpose is enabling the energy future of our communities.

Due to a recent realignment within the Operational Performance and Safety team, this role has been thoughtfully reshaped to build on the solid momentum and groundwork laid over the past 12 months, offering the opportunity to step into something already in motion and take it further.

As Operational Practices Lead, you’ll play a key role in lifting how the network operates, shaping operational practices, improving processes, and influencing how work is planned and delivered. You’ll sit at the intersection of operations, engineering, safety, and service delivery, ensuring what’s designed works in the real world.

You’ll bring people on the journey, working alongside control room operators, field teams, engineers, and service providers to embed practical, lasting improvements.

This is not a traditional engineering or network standards role.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Lead development and improvement of operational standards and practices

• Strengthen works management, network access, and operational processes

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance safety and performance

• Engage with stakeholders across:

  • Network Operations (The NOC)

  • Field teams & Service Providers

  • Engineering, Planning, H&S, Risk & Compliance

• Translate operational needs into clear, high-quality documentation

• Support training, competency development, and knowledge sharing

• Act as a trusted advisor on operational practices and best practice

You’re not just technically capable, you know how to work with people to make change stick.

You might come from:

• Field operations or network delivery

• Control room / system operations

• Operational engineering or performance roles

…and have developed a passion for improving how things are done.

You’ll Bring

• Experience in an electricity distribution or utilities environment

• A tertiary qualification or relevant experience producing technical papers and operating standards critical to network operations

• Strong understanding of network operations and work practices

• Proven ability to influence and engage across diverse teams

• Excellent written communication skills (critical)

• A practical mindset—balancing best practice with real-world application

• A proactive, solutions-focused approach to continuous improvement

This is a rare opportunity to shape how a network operates day-to-day, driving meaningful improvements in safety, efficiency, and performance. It offers a move away from reactive, high-hour environments into a more strategic, balanced role with real visibility and influence.

Why Aurora?

• Influence long-term network investment decisions

• Work on complex, high-value infrastructure assets

• Join a team focused on continuous improvement and innovation

• Make a real impact on reliability and safety of electricity supply for local communities

Benefits & Lifestyle

• Competitive total remuneration package

• Flexible, supportive, safety-first culture

• Genuine work-life balance and predictable hours

• Based in Dunedin—coastline, character, and a family-friendly lifestyle

If you’re motivated by purpose-driven work and want to play a key role in shaping how a network operates, we’d love to hear from you.