Interim Head of Regulatory, CopperString

Korn Ferry has partnered with our client on their search for Interim Head of Regulatory, CopperString

Interim Head of Regulatory

CopperString Project

Location: Queensland, preferably Townsville or Brisbane, with frequent travel across North and North West Queensland

Company overview

The CopperString Project is one of Australia's most significant energy infrastructure undertakings, a large-scale transmission network that will connect North and North West Queensland to the national electricity market.

QIC has established a dedicated company to deliver the CopperString Project, and is now building the team, capability and governance to take a nationally important “mega project” through its next phases of development and delivery. This is a rare opportunity to shape and lead an enterprise of genuine scale and regional impact from the ground up.

About the role

As Interim Head of Regulatory, you will own the regulatory framework, economic-regulation strategy, compliance and revenue-determination pathway, the framework on which the project's network access, data and revenue depend.

Reporting during the interim phase to the Board (and transitioning to the CEO on appointment), you will lead the regulatory strategy and provide the expertise and assurance that underpins the project's Transmission Network Service Provider (TNSP) readiness, working in close partnership with the TNSP Readiness Lead who leads operational readiness and customer/connection delivery.

About you

You are a senior regulatory or economic-regulation leader with experience in energy, transmission, utilities or regulated infrastructure, and a deep understanding of the National Electricity Rules, TNSP frameworks and AER revenue determination.

You bring proven engagement with regulators, market bodies and government, and experience establishing or strengthening regulatory functions in start-up, transitional or greenfield environments. You partner effectively across delivery and readiness functions and operate confidently in a high-scrutiny, government-adjacent setting.

Key accountabilities & requirements

• Regulatory strategy: lead the pathway to a regulated revenue framework, including the requirements that underpin TNSP status.
• Revenue determination: lead preparation for revenue determination, including submissions and building-block analysis, with the CFO.
• Compliance: establish and maintain compliance with the National Electricity Rules and broader obligations.
• TNSP readiness partnership: provide the regulatory expertise underpinning the TNSP Readiness workstream, in partnership with the TNSP Readiness Lead.
• Regulator & government engagement: manage relationships with the AER, AEMO, Treasury and government.
• Regulatory risk: identify, escalate and manage regulatory risks within the Board's risk appetite.

Capabilities

• Regulatory strategy and expertise — commands the NER, TNSP and revenue-determination landscape.
• Stakeholder engagement — builds credible relationships with regulators, market bodies and government.
• Partnership and integration — works hand-in-glove with delivery, readiness and finance functions.
• Establishment mindset — stands up a compliant, well-positioned regulatory function.

Qualifications

Essential

• Tertiary qualifications in Economics, Law, Engineering, Finance or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated senior regulatory or economic-regulation leadership in energy or regulated infrastructure.

Desirable

• Post-graduate qualifications in a relevant field.
• Experience with new-entrant TNSP or major regulated-revenue processes.

Location

Townsville preferred, with Brisbane considered as an alternative, and regular travel across North and North West Queensland. A visible regional presence is expected, reflecting the CopperString Project's footprint and the importance of local stakeholder, community, Traditional Owner and landholder relationships.