Director - Economic Regulation and Pricing

• Lead the next phase of economic regulation in the NT
• Apply deep expertise in pricing, modelling and regulatory frameworks
• Shape a growing, multi-sector regulator from Darwin

The Utilities Commission of the Northern Territory is a statutory authority established under the Utilities Commission Act 2000 and is the independent economic regulator for the Northern Territory. The Commission has responsibility across regulated industries, including electricity, ports, water and sewerage, and is entering an important period of growth and development.

The object of the Utilities Commission Act 2000 is to establish an economic regulatory framework that promotes and safeguards competition and fair and efficient market conduct. The Commission’s primary purpose is to protect the long-term interests of Territory consumers of services provided by regulated industries, particularly in relation to price, reliability and quality. Its vision is to benefit Territorians through effective regulation, well-informed and transparent decision-making and robust, independent advice.

Following a review of its structure, the Commission is seeking a Director Economic Regulation and Pricing to lead its economic regulation function and contribute to the Commission’s next chapter. Working as part of the senior leadership team, the Director will help develop proportionate, fit-for-purpose regulatory frameworks for the Territory and support the effective regulation of essential services.

This is a senior, full-time leadership role based in Darwin. The role is to:

• lead the Commission’s economic regulation and pricing stream, including regulatory frameworks, pricing approaches and economic assessments
• lead major reviews and determinations across electricity, water, sewerage, ports and the emerging ship lift facility, including price-setting, approved revenue, access and price monitoring
• lead and develop two direct reports, sharing knowledge and building capability within a small specialist team
• provide clear, evidence-based advice to the Director and the Commission, and engage with regulated entities, government, industry, other regulators and senior stakeholders
• contribute across the Commission’s broader work, including licensing, compliance, reporting and codes of practice, as priorities require

This is an active and hands-on leadership role. The Director will be expected to understand and interrogate complex economic and financial models, identify key regulatory considerations, and translate technical analysis into proportionate, practical advice. The role will help shape emerging regulatory frameworks in water and sewerage, strengthen price-setting functions in electricity, and lead price monitoring and access work across the Port of Darwin and the emerging ship lift facility. It will also involve direct engagement with the Commission, regulated businesses and other senior stakeholders.

To be considered for this role, you will bring substantial experience in economic regulation, pricing, regulatory modelling, regulated utilities, economics, consulting or a related field. Your experience will be practical and applied, with the judgement to assess revenue requirements, operating and capital expenditure, pricing approaches and the conduct of monopoly service providers.

Your experience may have been gained within a regulator, a regulated utility or infrastructure business, a network or market operator, a government agency or a specialist consultancy. Experience across both regulatory and regulated environments would be highly desirable, as would exposure to electricity, water, ports or comparable infrastructure sectors. You will be comfortable working with detailed models and data while also understanding the broader strategic, legal and public-interest context.

You will bring sound judgement, intellectual curiosity and the ability to develop proportionate, fit-for-purpose approaches for the Territory. A collaborative and personable leadership style is essential, along with the ability to share knowledge, develop staff and work flexibly across a small team. Candidates must be willing to be based in Darwin and able to contribute to a small, hands-on office.

To view the Success Profile for this opportunity, please copy and paste the following link into your browser: https://tinyurl.com/3ce4ddpk

To apply, please click ‘apply now’ and upload your CV and Cover Letter. For any questions not outlined in the PD and for a confidential discussion, please contact Ashleigh Stewart at 0408 856 689 or Emma Wallace at 0432 060 301.

Davidson acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we work and live. We are also committed to equal opportunity and strive to promote diversity, inclusion, belonging, flexibility, and accessibility in all that we do.

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Applications close on Sunday, 15 November 2026.