Role Summary:
The Cost-Reflective and Bespoke Tariff Senior Associate will lead TQD’s technical analysis, development, review and implementation of cost-reflective tariffs and bespoke charging arrangements. The role combines tariff design, cost-of-service and subsidy analysis, financial modelling, regulatory support and coordination with internal and external stakeholders. The Candidate is expected to provide independent technical challenge and contribute to the continuing development of TQD’s tariff capabilities. The Candidate will also manage TQD’s technical contribution to bespoke charging arrangements for large or strategically significant customers. This includes analyzing upstream charging proposals, translating sector charges into customer-facing structures, modelling allocation and recovery approaches, assessing regulatory, contractual and billing implications, and defining the associated data, settlement, invoicing and reconciliation requirements.
Key Responsibilities:
- Perform tariff design activities related to cost-reflective tariffs for electricity, water and recycled water for all customer classes served by TQD
- Develop, maintain and continuously improve cost-reflective tariff models for electricity, water and recycled water, ensuring that the models remain accurate, transparent, controlled and suitable for tariff-setting and regulatory purposes.
- Critically assess tariff, charging and cost-allocation proposals; identify methodological, regulatory, contractual and implementation risks; and recommend defensible alternatives.
- Coordinate with Load Forecasting Specialist to develop and defend billing determinants
- Perform bill comparison and risk analysis for the end-user tariff regulatory submissions
- Coordinate with relevant sector participants, including EWEC and the relevant transmission and wastewater companies, to obtain and validate the inputs required for cost-reflective tariff development, including TUoS and bulk-supply charges for electricity, water and recycled water.
- Review and quality-assure inputs from upstream studies, including cost-of-service studies and billing-determinant forecasts, assessing their accuracy, completeness and suitability for use in tariff models
- Undertake quantitative and qualitative analysis to improve tariff structures, methodologies and models in line with the tariff roadmap, emerging sector requirements and lessons from implementation
- Develop forecast of the subsidies attributable to different customer groups by comparing cost-reflective tariffs with applicable end-user tariffs
- Assess whether cost-reflective tariffs are expected to recover forecast sector costs, including applicable upstream, transmission, distribution and supply costs; identify potential under- or over-recovery; and recommend appropriate adjustments to tariff structures, assumptions or methodologies.
- Interpret the commercial and operational implications of licenses, regulatory decisions, tariff methodologies, customer agreements and sector charging arrangements, escalating legal interpretation where required.
Skillset:
Advance knowledge in
- Tariff Design knowledge
- Cost of service knowledge
- Proficiency in Excel
- Financial and Tariff Modelling
- Contractual/commercial analysis
Good understanding of the energy and water utility industry
Excellent analytical skills with very high levels of numeracy
Advanced Excel skills, including the ability to develop, review and maintain complex models; analyses and reconcile large datasets; and identify errors or weaknesses in inherited models. Familiarity with Python, R, Power Query or similar analytical tools would be advantageous.
Qualification: Bachelor’s degree level in Economics, Finance, Engineering, Mathematics, Physics or related field
Experience: At least 6 to 7 years’ relevant experience in regulated electricity or water tariffs, utility regulation, cost-of-service analysis, regulatory economics or closely related work.
Candidates from other regulated infrastructure sectors may be considered where they can demonstrate directly transferable experience in cost-reflective tariff development, cost allocation and tariff modelling.
Experience working across more than one part of the electricity or water value chain, including upstream supply, transmission, distribution or customer charging, would be advantageous.
