Company Description
Ko wai mātou | About us
At Contact, we’re on a mission to lead Aotearoa New Zealand’s decarbonisation journey. Our Contact26 strategy is all about creating a better energy future – one that’s powered by renewables, grounded in sustainability, and built on strong partnerships with iwi, communities, and customers. We’re proud to be one of the country’s largest energy retailers and generators, with a deep commitment to kaitiakitanga – guardianship of our environment and resources.
We’re already leading the way in geothermal energy, with expansions of our Te Huka and Te Mihi sites underway. But we’re not stopping there. As we look to the future, we’re stepping up our focus on flexible hydro development – unlocking the potential of hydro storage to support intermittent renewables and strengthen energy security for generations to come.
We are therefore creating a brand-new role – Head of Business Development (Hydro) – to lead the charge on these exciting developments, with a particular focus on the Clutha/Mata-Au rōpū.
Job Description
Kōrero mō te tūranga | About the role
This is a rare and exciting opportunity to shape the future of renewable energy in Aotearoa. Reporting directly to our Chief Renewable Growth Officer, you’ll be at the forefront of identifying, evaluating, and delivering large-scale hydro storage projects that will firm renewables and support our transition to a low-carbon future. We have a pipeline of early-stage projects waiting for someone with drive and expertise to lead them to success.
You’ll bring together strategy, commercial nous, and technical expertise to turn bold ideas into real-world outcomes. From building robust business cases and navigating consenting pathways, to working alongside iwi, communities, and stakeholders, you’ll be the driving force behind some of the most significant renewable infrastructure projects in the motu. This is your chance to leave a legacy – not just for Contact, but for the whole of Aotearoa.
Qualifications
Ko wai koe | About you
You’re a strategic thinker, a natural collaborator, and a proven leader in the energy space. Ideally, you’ll bring 10+ years’ experience in the New Zealand energy sector, with deep knowledge of hydro generation and a strong commercial background. You’ve led complex projects before – from concept to investment decision – and you know how to bring people together to get things done.
But we’re not just looking for a CV. We’re looking for someone who’s curious, courageous, and committed to making a difference. If you’ve got experience working with iwi, especially in the Clutha/Mata-Au region, that’s a big plus. A degree in commerce or engineering is great, but what really matters is your ability to think long-term, navigate complexity, and inspire others. If you’re passionate about renewable energy and ready to lead from the front, we’d love to hear from you.
Although we'd prefer someone based in Central Otago, we're open to applicants from anywhere in Aotearoa who tick the boxes.
Additional Information
There are a bunch of perks to being a permanent Contact kaimahi. Along with great leadership, teammates, development, and growth and progression opportunities, free health insurance cover, better-than-your-average leave, access to Contact Shares, a ‘Good to be Home’ annual payment toward your home set up & wellbeing, a trail-blazing parental leave policy, bi-annual payments towards Contact Energy products, and more!
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.
