Project Pre-Construction Director

We are unique

Essential Energy is an organisation that values your voice empowers your autonomy recognises the strength in diversity and prioritises your wellbeing 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

Were seeking an experienced and strategic Project PreConstruction Director to provide leadership and oversight across the preconstruction phase of Essential Energys 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 Energys 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 pre-construction lifecycle phase is the middle of three within the RDP branch sitting between project development and project delivery.

Reporting to the General Manager Renewable Distribution Program this role is accountable for the successful planning preparation and governance of largescale and complex infrastructure projects from feasibility through to construction readiness. Youll drive projects forward from the point where they have a proven business case to being ready to commence construction and ensure strong alignment to Essential Energys strategic objectives while embedding best practice across safety commercial outcomes project management and stakeholder engagement.

This is a temporary opportunity for two and a half years and can be based anywhere withinEssential Energys operational footprint.

Key responsibilities include:

• Provide strategic leadership and direction for the preconstruction phase of complex sub-transmission projects

• Lead develop and mentor highperforming internal and external project teams to build organisational capability

• Oversee planning design stakeholder consultation property acquisition approvals procurement and construction readiness activities

• Coordinate closely with peers in upstream (Project Development Director) and downstream (Project Delivery Director) lifecycle phases; other leads in RDP; and with teams more broadly across the organisation

• Ensure seamless handover to delivery teams by meeting all scope cost schedule and risk requirements

• Champion safety sustainability and customercentricity across all preconstruction activities

• Oversee governance change control and reporting obligations to senior leadership Executive and Board

• Manage contractor and supplier relationships in line with agreed commercial and sourcing strategies

• Ensure consistent application of systems processes and best practice and drive adoption of new technologies and methodologies

• Build strong internal and external relationships to support positive customer community and commercial outcomes

About You

Youre a senior leader with extensive experience delivering complex infrastructure or energy projects in highrisk assetintensive environments. You bring a strong commercial mindset a collaborative leadership style and a proven ability to navigate complexity while delivering results.

You will bring:

• Significant leadership experience managing large teams budgets and resources

• Proven experience leading preconstruction planning for complex largescale projects

• Strong contract and commercial negotiation expertise

• Exceptional stakeholder engagement and influence skills across diverse internal and external audiences

• A strong understanding of safety risk management and regulatory frameworks

Required Qualifications

• A Bachelor degree in Engineering Project Management Business or equivalent demonstrated experience.

Why Essential Energy

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 doesnt just keep the lights on its 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 youll 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 Programon 0

Applications close onMonday 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 contactor call us on.