Chief Advisor - Competition

About us

The Electricity Authority Te Mana Hiko is an independent Crown entity that regulates the electricity market. We are a kaitiaki of electricity, and our purpose is to enhance New Zealanders’ lives, prosperity, and environment through electricity. We are focused on achieving an electricity system that is secure, resilient, and affordable, and provides more choices for consumers. Competition is critical to making this happen.

The electricity industry is at a pivotal moment, with the journey towards renewable energy sources and innovation reshaping how we operate. To meet these challenges and opportunities, we’re evolving as an organisation – growing our capabilities, expanding our reach, and building a team ready to create a brighter, more sustainable future for Aotearoa. Our focus is on making a difference through bold thinking, collaboration, and delivering value for the communities we serve.

About the role

We’re looking for a Chief Advisor – Competition to join our Wholesale and Supply group. There are long-running questions about the competitiveness of the electricity market. Your work will be central to understanding these issues and developing potential solutions within the limits of the Authority’s functions and objectives.

In particular, you’ll be responsible for scoping and leading policy work on competition issues for the Authority. This includes providing programme, policy and analytical leadership of the Electricity Authority’s work in the Energy Competition Task Force, a joint project with the Commerce Commission. You'll also bring an expert view on competition issues across the sector to all relevant Authority projects.

This is a new Tier 3 role, reporting to the General Manager, Wholesale and Supply. You’ll operate across the organisation to deliver on policy projects, working collaboratively with the other highly capable people that the Authority employs. The Authority is now reaching a scale where a senior role dedicated to competition matters makes sense, working with the people we already have who have advancing competition as a part of their work. If you're not quite at this senior level but bring strong foundations and the motivation to grow, we’d still like to hear from you.

Our ideal candidate

You’ll have experience in applied competition or anti-trust policy or law, preferably in New Zealand or Australia. You’ll be a strong communicator who can analyse, integrate and explain economic, financial, legal and regulatory matters clearly in writing and in conversation. You’ll be someone who can build and maintain positive and trusting relationships, even when views differ.

You’ll need to be highly-delivery focused and adaptable; the Authority is an action-oriented place.

Knowledge of the New Zealand electricity sector would be helpful. So will curiosity, sound judgement and commitment to learning. It would help if you had an enthusiasm for numbers; the electricity system generates a lot of data.

This role is Auckland or Wellington based. The Authority’s main office is in Wellington.

Why work with us?

Electricity plays a critical role in the quality of our lives and businesses. As an electricity kaitiaki our work is diverse, intellectually challenging and contributes directly to our communities, economy, environment, and the nation as a whole. We are a small but high-impact organisation where talented individuals can make a real difference. We foster an open, collaborative environment that encourages quality, innovation, ongoing learning, and knowledge sharing.

We support a healthy work-life balance and offer a range of benefits to support our teams:

• Competitive remuneration range, from $ 178,244.80 to $222,806 (plus 3% net KiwiSaver contribution).
• Flexible working options 
• Health, wellbeing, and social initiatives, including allowances, Habit Health+ EAP services for you and your whānau, and regular team events

Are you interested?

If you're ready for a challenge and want to help shape the future of electricity in New Zealand, click "apply now" and complete the online application form including a cover letter. 

For further details about the role, you can find the position description below by clicking on the position description button. Alternatively, if you have any questions or would like to discuss the role further, please contact MyHR@ea.govt.nz or the Hiring Manager hayden.glass@ea.govt.nz 

To apply for this role, you must have a legal right to work in New Zealand at the time of submitting your application.

Applications close Sunday 25 May 2025 – but we may start considering applications as they are received, so don’t wait!