Power Victoria's energy future—lead bold reforms, drive emissions cuts, and deliver real benefits to businesses and households!

About the role

The Director, Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) oversees the development of reforms and initiatives ensuring the VEU program (a flagship energy and emissions reduction program) delivers benefits to consumers, both households and businesses, and supports the energy market during the energy transition.

VEU is the largest energy efficiency program in Australia. The role will suit someone with an understanding of energy efficiency policy, programs, technologies and industries. The Director will work in partnership with key industry bodies and businesses to promote the program, and ensure it is continuously adapting to meeting the needs of businesses and households.

The Director guides and oversees work of three teams within the VEU Branch and is responsible for their development. This involves providing direction for delivery of priority policy projects and reforms led by the branch; it prioritises and progresses legislative reform, introduces and adjusts incentives for energy upgrade activities, and instigates communications and outreach to businesses and households. This team works closely with Victoria's largest energy users to position them to improve their energy productivity and energy management.

Delivering the scope of this role involves supporting, leveraging, and influencing related work programs across Solar Victoria, and other areas of DEECA (particularly the Energy Group). The design and implementation of work streams will require strong ongoing collaboration with the Essential Services Commission (ESC). As such, the successful applicant will have strong interpersonal, relationship and negotiation skills, an understanding of markets, and well-developed capabilities in analysis of policy options and experience with regulatory frameworks.

The Director reports to the CEO of Solar Victoria and regularly engages with other senior executives of DEECA and the ESC, and the Office of the Minister for Energy and Resources.

About you:

To be successful in the role, you will have:

• A relevant tertiary degree/qualification in law, economics or commerce, or public policy and administration.
• Understanding of economics and markets, particularly as it relates to energy or energy efficiency, is desirable.
• Commercial understanding of energy.
• Usage, demand side initiatives and innovation and knowledge of the operation of white certificate schemes would be highly desirable.

About the Group

Solar Victoria's purpose is to enable access to affordable, reliable and clean energy for Victorians now and in the future.    

We deliver the Victorian Government's $1.3 billion Solar Homes Program, providing rebates to eligible households for solar panels, hot water systems and batteries, as well as solar for rental properties. In addition, we have complementary programs that support small businesses with solar, individuals and businesses with subsidies for zero emissions vehicles and low-income households to upgrade to energy efficient heating and cooling. Our aim is to deliver solar power to 778,500 Victorian homes over 10-years and to reach one million Victorians through our suite of programs.   

Solar Victoria also delivers the Victorian Energy Upgrades program, the state's largest emissions reduction program, which supports Victoria to achieve its energy transition and emissions reduction goals through improved energy efficiency, demand management, and household and business electrification. This is delivered through policy development, regulatory changes, and program initiatives, and involves collaboration with other jurisdictions on national standards, research, tools, and policy. 

The VEU program works closely with the Essential Services Commission to drive and deliver on Government's priority policy objectives through the provision of more than half a billion dollars' worth of incentives each year – supporting Victorian households and businesses with their energy bills and creating jobs for industry. 

As part of DEECA, Solar Victoria works closely across the department including with the Energy and Environment and Climate Change Groups, along with industry, regulators and community organisations.

For more information, visit: www.solar.vic.gov.au

This is a fixed term part-time (0.6 FTE) position available until 3 February 2026. The work location for this position is Melbourne CBD with hybrid work arrangements available.

To be considered for this position, applicants are encouraged to submit a resume and cover letter (no longer than 2 pages) summarising their skills and relevant experience.

For further information, please refer to the attached position description or call Stan Krpan, Chief Executive Officer, Solar Victoria on 0413 271 239 or email stan.krpan@deeca.vic.gov.au.

Applications close at midnight on Sunday, 12 January 2025.

Other relevant information:

For this particular vacancy, priority consideration applies to Victorian Public Service (VPS) and select employees of the Victorian Public Sector who apply through the Jobs and Skills Exchange (JSE) jobs board platform.

Preferred candidates will be required to undertake pre-employment screening, including a Declaration and Consent form and a National Police Check.

To be eligible for appointment to this role, applicants will possess corresponding work rights for the advertised employment period. Appointment to an ongoing position is only available to an Australian/New Zealand citizen or an Australian Permanent Resident.  

A Diverse, Inclusive and Flexible Workplace

DEECA welcomes applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds and we focus on the essential requirements of the job and being consistent and fair in our treatment of all applicants. We also understand that a balanced life is important to our employees. Talk to us about our flexible options such as working some days from home, starting early or late, working part time, job sharing or accessing paid or unpaid leave.