Operational Readiness and Assurance Specialist

Company Description

Whakatakoto te tūāpapa, Laying the foundation

At Contact Energy, we’re shaping the future of energy in Aotearoa by growing a portfolio of renewable generation that will power our communities for generations to come. Our Renewable Growth business unit is at the heart of this journey, delivering new assets and ensuring they transition into safe, efficient and sustainable operations from day one, with the right systems, processes and people in place.

This is where things get interesting. Our Renewable Growth team connects project delivery with long term operational success, working across projects, commissioning and operational teams to make sure new assets are not only delivered, but truly set up to perform. It is a space where smart thinking, strong relationships and great planning come together to make a real impact.

Te āhua o te tūranga I The nature of the role

As our Operational Readiness and Assurance Specialist, you will play a key role in turning project delivery into operational success. You will lead operational readiness planning across key project milestones, working closely with delivery and operations teams to ensure a smooth, confident transition from construction and commissioning through to business as usual.

Initally based at our BESS site in Glenbrook, your days will be varied and meaningful. You will help bring everything together, from systems integration and documentation to training and readiness reporting, making sure nothing is missed along the way. You will spot risks early, bring the right people together, and help create a seamless pathway from project execution to operational performance. This is a role where you can genuinely influence outcomes and see the impact of your work come to life.

Qualifications

Ko wai koe | About you

You will likely bring experience from operations, maintenance, production or a similar technical environment, along with a strong understanding of how assets move from delivery into operations. You know how to connect the dots across people, process, systems and documentation, and you are confident working with a range of stakeholders to get things done.

Our must-haves include a relevant technical qualification or equivalent experience, proven operational or maintenance experience, strong stakeholder engagement skills, and the ability to communicate clearly with both technical and non-technical audiences. A genuine commitment to health, safety and environmental standards is also essential.

Nice to have, but not essential, are experience in EPC or design-build environments, knowledge of asset management best practice, and familiarity with the NZ Electricity Market and Energy Safety Rules.

Just as important is who you are. You are organised, proactive and adaptable, comfortable navigating complexity and working across multiple sites. You build strong relationships, take ownership, and approach challenges with curiosity and sound judgement. If you do not tick every box but can see yourself adding value here, ka pai, we would still love to hear from you.

Additional Information

At Contact, it really is good to be home. We support our people with wellbeing benefits that make a genuine difference, including flexible working where possible, strong health and wellbeing support, and access to confidential professional therapy for you and your whānau. You’ll also have access to free flu vaccinations, skin checks, onsite health support and learning through Contact University.

On top of a competitive salary, we offer KiwiSaver contributions, wellbeing payments to support your home setup, help with energy and broadband costs if you’re a Contact customer, plus access to discounts and free financial advice. We’re also proud to give back through community leave and partnerships across Aotearoa, creating a workplace where people feel supported, connected and able to do their best work

Applications close 5pm Friday the 19th of June

Here at Contact Energy (Te Mata Hiko), we know our strength lies in developing a sense of belonging - one that helps us attract and retain people with a broad range of perspectives and experiences.

We’re committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to bring their whole selves to work. Our goal is to reflect the diversity of our customers and communities to help build a better Aotearoa New Zealand.

We have a rich community of talented people that we support to thrive at Contact.

Our inclusive hiring process is designed to embrace the diversity of Aotearoa New Zealand, ensuring a wide range of perspectives are included in our decision-making and helping reduce bias along the way.

The wellbeing of our kaimahi is super important to us.

We use employee insights to offer a range of initiatives and resources to support physical, mental, financial and emotional wellbeing – including flexible working arrangements, employee network groups and a market-leading parental leave policy.

At Te Mata Hiko, we want everyone to thrive. We welcome applicants far and wide - of every age, stage, background, and pride. Join us and be part of a team that values your passion and attitude just as much as your experience and skills.

Please note, only candidates with the right to live and work in New Zealand will be considered for this role.

Research shows that while men apply to jobs where they meet 60% of the criteria, women and those in underrepresented groups tend to only apply if they tick every box. We're not about box ticking, so if you think you have what it takes but don't meet everything stated above, please still get in touch. We'd love to kōrero.

Te Mata Hiko (Contact Energy) does not accept any CVs received from recruitment agencies where a formal engagement has not been confirmed and agreed to with our Talent team. In the event that unsolicited CVs are submitted by recruitment agencies, Te Mata Hiko (Contact Energy) reserves the right to contact these candidates directly and consider them for current/future vacancies without any financial obligation to the recruitment agency in question. This will also apply to any CVs sent directly to line managers.