Head of Strategy & Transformation

Company Description

At Te Mata Hiko (Contact Energy), we believe home is the most important place in the world. It’s all part of our vision to leave Aotearoa better than we found it. We’re a power, mobile and broadband company, but we’re so much more than that. We are transforming the ways we mahi, and how Aotearoa is powered, leading the charge on renewable energy and digitising customer journeys in ways not yet seen here. A team of 1000+ from all walks of life who love what we do, look out for each other, and learn from one another every day, we’re stoked to be guided by our tikanga: we touch lives to make life better.

Contact’s strategy is to be a leader in the decarbonisation of Aotearoa New Zealand and to play our part in the electrification transition. Technology plays a critical role in this as we respond to change and pursue new opportunities, growth and investment. The space is rapidly changing and transforming, and so are we – after functioning as separate business units for years, we recently merged our Digital and ICT functions to be one as Technology Innovation. Tighe Wall, our Chief Digital Officer since 2020, has taken up the new mantle of Chief Technology Officer and is excited to lead Contact through the next wave of tech transformation and innovation. We’ve created 7 new leadership roles to work alongside the business in creating innovative, user-friendly solutions that make a positive and measurable impact, including this one as Head of Strategy & Transformation.

Job Description

You’ll play a pivotal part in driving Contact’s technology and transformation initiatives to align with our goal of leading New Zealand’s decarbonisation efforts. You’ll develop and execute a unified Technology Strategy for Contact (including components of the Contact31 strategy which will set the North Star for us as an Organisation over the next 5 years), maintain a transformation roadmap and provide strategic thought leadership to the business, technology team members, and broader stakeholders. This role also involves managing strategic vendor relationships (fully Microsoft affiliated) and practises and overseeing/improving technology governance frameworks.

Qualifications

We’re on the lookout for a curious leader with the capability to drive transformation initiatives, who can pull out and lean on their impressive project management skills as and when needed. You’ll have a knack for seeing trends coming, can absorb that information and lead Contact’s Technology strategy based on fresh perspective and innovation. (Seeking all trend focussed futurists who play well in a team.) People skills, both leadership and interpersonal are a must, as you’ll be collaborating cross-functionally. You’ll need a data-driven approach to decision-making, able to juggle multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. Familiarity with methodologies like Lean, Six Sigma, or Agile and experience with change management principles would be a bonus. 

Experience-wise, we’re seeking someone with significant experience who is comfortable working in the Strategic and Transformative space, who knows their way around advanced tech. Your history of crafting and executing technology and innovative strategies will be key. Our hope is that you will have had Opex/Capex budgets of around the ballpark of $60-70 million annually to manage effectively.

While experience in the energy industry is a plus, we’re more interested in talented individuals who bring fresh perspectives and innovative solutions.

We hope this role will evolve with our strategic goals, potentially taking on more responsibilities in strategy and transformation as we grow. You will be a crucial part of the business, driving our technology and transformation initiatives, supporting decision-making, and contributing to the overall strategy and goals of Contact moving forward.

Additional Information

Contact is not a place you’ll stagnate. We are growing and offer superb learning and development opportunities along with trailblazing policies like Growing Your Whānau, and perks like discounts on Contact Energy products, access to own Contact shares, higher than your standard employer Kiwisaver Contribution, better than your average leave entitlements, free Southern Cross Health Insurance, Good to be Home annual payment and a bunch of corporate discounts! 

He mea nui ngā paki kōrero ki a mātou i Contact, nā reira, mēnā kei a koe tētehi e hāngai pea ana ki tā mātou e kimi nei i tēnei tūranga kei raro iho nei–kei te hiahia mātou kia whakapā mai ai koe! 

We are big on stories here at Contact, so if you have one that you think might align with what we are looking for – we would love to hear from you! 

Applications close on Friday 28th March but we’re considering applications as they come in so hop to it and apply if you’re keen. 

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.

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