We are unique
Essential Energy is an organisation that values your voice, empowers your autonomy, recognises the strength in diversity, and prioritises your well‑being while offering attractive remuneration and benefits. Take pride in having a meaningful impact on regional, rural and remote communities while playing a pivotal role in delivering the energy infrastructure of the future.
About the role
As Project Controls Manager, you will lead the Project Controls portfolio within the Renewable Distribution Program (RDP).The RDP is a newly established branch within the organisation whose role is to develop and deliver expansions and upgrades of Essential Energy’s sub-transmission network in order to accelerate the connection of grid-scale wind, solar and battery storage.This new branch aims to play a key role in the renewable energy transition in NSW.
The role will provide strategic leadership and oversight of Project Controls capability (cost, schedule, risk, change and document mgt, and reporting), ensuring disciplined, effective and efficient planning and delivery across complex and large‑scale project portfolios. This role leads the Project Controls function to support major packages and scopes of work, enabling intended outcomes across the full project lifecycle.
You will be responsible for establishing, standardising and continuously improving project controls processes, systems and governance frameworks, while delivering high‑quality insights to support informed decision‑making at Executive and Board levels.You will also be responsible for ensuring a high degree of collaboration with other parts of the business that cover project controls or PMO functions for their respective branches, to ensure knowledge sharing, best practice implementation and staff development opportunities.
Reporting to the General Manager Renewable Distribution Program, this role is critical to building organisational capability and ensuring consistent, best‑practice project delivery across Essential Energy.
This is a permanent opportunity and can be based anywhere within Essential Energy’s operational footprint.
Key responsibilities include:
- Lead and manage the Project Controls function, providing strategic leadership, coaching, and capability development
- Establish and maintain a comprehensive project controls capability across project development, pre‑construction, and construction phases
- Lead the standardisation of best‑practice project controls processes and frameworks in collaboration with PMO groups that drive efficiency, value for money, and quality outcomes
- Embed gateway and lifecycle transition processes to support effective project delivery
- Provide strategic insights, analysis, and advice to support timely decision‑making across all project lifecycle stages
- Lead governance, monitoring, and reporting practices, including preparation of Executive and Board‑level reports
- Oversee master scheduling and resource demand forecasting services
- Manage external service providers supporting project controls and advisory needs
- Contribute to organisational transformation initiatives and continuous improvement across project delivery
About You
You are a highly experienced leader with deep expertise in project controls, complex project delivery, and governance within asset‑intensive or construction environments. You operate comfortably at both strategic and detailed levels, with a proven ability to influence outcomes in complex stakeholder environments.
You will bring:
- Significant experience leading project controls functions or working in large construction or infrastructure programs
- Strong experience with project and program management methodologies, tools, and systems
- Proven capability preparing and presenting reports and insights to Executive and Board audiences
- Excellent stakeholder engagement and influencing skills across non‑reporting relationships
- Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and decision‑support capability
- Demonstrated experience leading transformation and change initiatives
- Sound understanding of risk management and safety principles in high‑risk environments
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor Degree in Engineering, Project Management, Business, or demonstrated capability through relevant experience and/or qualifications
Desirable:
- Postgraduate qualification in governance, risk management, safety, engineering, management and/or economics
- Project Management certification (e.g. PMP, PRINCE2)
Essential Energy provides employees with a broad range of employee benefits through our corporate partnerships with organisations such as Qantas, Optus, NIB and Mildura Health Fund. You will also gain access to our Health and Wellbeing programs including fitness passport. Visit our employee benefits page for more information.
We are proud to be recognised as a WORK180 Endorsed Employer for All Women.
An energy network doesn’t just keep the lights on… it’s a living network that needs to adapt to new and emerging energy generation technologies while still meeting the energy needs of customers.
It requires innovation, commitment, and collaboration to bring people together to solve the energy delivery challenges of the modern world.
Your potential will be realised, and you’ll feel a real sense of purpose and satisfaction knowing you have a pivot role to play in delivering the energy of the future to the people who need it today.
For further information please contact David Coker – General Manager Renewable Distribution Program on 0404 024 556.
Applications close on Monday 26 January 2026 at 11:55pm.
Passionate people. Global thinking. Regional heart.
Building a better energy future.
Essential Energy is committed to building a culturally diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourages applicants to apply regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.
As an organisation, our aim is to champion inclusivity in the workplace and celebrate the difference in all our employees.
At Essential Energy, we are committed to supporting adjustments throughout the recruitment and selection process, as well as during employment. We actively support and encourage people with disability to apply to Essential Energy (including alternate formats of application forms or alternate ways for accessibility). To discuss adjustment requirements, please contact careers@essentialenergy.com.au or call us on 1800 255 777.
