Operations Manager - Power Generation

Operations Manager - Power Generation Location: Darwin
Package: Executive Contract Officer
Term: Full time, Fixed Term – 4 years
Applications close: 4 March 2026

Lead the safe, reliable and efficient operation of a major NT power utility’s Northern Region generation assets, including the Darwin-Katherine Power System (Channel Island, Weddell and Katherine), through a 24/7 Remote Operations Centre (ROC). This is a senior leadership role with whole of system impact, combining operational excellence, HSE leadership, asset performance, and stakeholder engagement.

Why this role

• Impact at scale: Own the operations performance of critical generation assets that keep the NT powered.
• Lead a high performing team: Provide direction to ROC Operators, Production coordination and 24/7 shift teams.
• Executive package & stability: ECEO1 package on a 4 year fixed term, based in Darwin.

About The Role

• Ensure safe, reliable generation and dispatch across the Darwin–Katherine Power System (Channel Island, Weddell, Katherine).
• Champion a strong HSE culture, meeting safety and environmental KPIs aligned to Safety & Environmental Management Plans.
• Model organisational values and Code of Conduct to drive a constructive culture.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders to support system performance.
• Safeguard critical plant reliability under emergency conditions with tested procedures and 24/7 readiness.
• Oversee Permit to Work systems, training/competency, incident investigations and corrective actions.
• Lead plant failure reporting & RCA, driving defect elimination and continuous improvement.
• Influence outage planning, resourcing and fuel management to minimise cost and maximise reliability.
• Provide effective leadership to a 24/7, shift-based operations team, including performance management and fatigue aware rostering

What you’ll bring (Essential)

• Proven leadership of power generation operations via a Remote Operations Centre or equivalent, with strategic decision making in complex, high pressure environments.
• Advanced people leadership and resource management skills; skilled in collaboration, negotiation and conflict resolution.
• Deep knowledge of open and combined cycle gas fired power stations, heavy rotating equipment (gas turbines, compressors, electric motors, turbo generators) and steam raising plant.
• Comprehensive generation experience with relevant qualifications/competency across gas turbines, reciprocating engines and associated plant (or equivalent skills/experience).
• Expert HSE knowledge with significant experience in safety management, environmental management and IR; a visible commitment to safe work behaviors.
• Demonstrated capability running 24/7/365 operations, coordinating production/operations/maintenance, risk management, decision making and shift roster development.

Desirable

• Qualifications in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering.
• Experience with isolated grid networks.
• Familiarity with computer-based work scheduling/management systems.

Team & interfaces

• Direct reports: approx. 25 direct; additional indirect reports.
• Key internal stakeholders: Operations & Maintenance leadership, Principal/Asset Engineers, Outage & Project Managers, HR/L&D, HSE.
• Key external stakeholders: System Control, Networks and Gas teams.

Compliance

• National police check (relevant history assessed against the role).
• Pre-employment medical (employment conditional on outcome).