General Manager, Impact Team

• Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA)
• Lead a portfolio of large-scale, first-of-a-kind capital projects
• Sydney (preferred). Remuneration negotiable

ARENA is a Corporate Commonwealth entity, established to improve the competitiveness and increase the supply of renewable energy in Australia. Accountable through its Board and Chief Executive Officer to the Minister for Climate Change and Energy and the Minister for Finance, ARENA invests public funds in innovative technologies that support the Government's emissions reduction goals of 43% by 2030 and net zero by 2050. With over $5 billion invested across more than 800 projects, and significant additional funding over the past three budget cycles, ARENA is trusted by the Government to deliver many of its most impactful emissions reduction programs.

Reporting to the Chief Investment Officer, the General Manager leads one of six Impact Teams within the Investment and Portfolio Group, with full accountability for strategy, portfolio performance and delivery outcomes. The portfolio comprises large-scale, first-of-a-kind industrial infrastructure investments, defined by their scale and complexity.

Central to the role is accountability for the delivery and performance of each project after final investment decision, through construction, commissioning and early operations. This includes identifying emerging risks early and working with proponents, co-funders and lenders to address them. The General Manager also leads the investment process, endorsing recommendations to the Chief Investment Officer, Chief Executive Officer and Board.
ARENA has strong capability in program design and investment appraisal and management. This appointment strengthens its capability in the delivery of large-scale projects, ensuring they are well scoped, appropriately designed, delivered on time and on budget, and operated efficiently.

The General Manager will lead an established, multidisciplinary team, engage directly with the Board, government, industry and research leaders, and help shape how Australia deploys public capital into the clean energy transition at industrial scale.

You will have worked through the realities of delivery on large-scale capital projects in energy or industrial infrastructure, from final investment decision through construction, commissioning and ramp-up. Your experience delivering large-scale projects mean you understand the challenges that commonly arise. You recognise emerging issues early and know how to bring a project back on track. You also understand the earlier stages of the investment process, including feasibility, financing, contracting and appraisal.

Applicants must be Australian citizens.

This is a rare opportunity to apply hands-on delivery experience at national scale, with real authority to help ensure that Australia's major clean energy projects are delivered.

How to apply
To apply: Please provide a cover letter highlighting your suitability for the role and a resume by the due date. For more information, please contact Andrew McEncroe at publicsector@derwentsearch.com.au or call 0416 018 860 quoting reference number: 35001.

Applications close: Sunday, 1 November 2026.