Ryan Nicholson is a Customer Delivery Manager at Powermetric, a smart metering technology company, which is part of Shell Energy. He started his career as an electrician with a particular interest in metering, and has worked his way through the industry in a variety of roles. He takes pride in his team’s strength and diversity and strives to support the growth and success of the business and its people.
I started my career as an electrician with Energex, where I worked for seven years on the energy supply side of the industry. I also gained experience in metering, which became my area of interest. I moved to Emerald in Central Queensland and took on some management roles, such as Depot Manager and Workgroup Leader. After returning to Brisbane, I re-joined the metering space and soon progressed to my current role as Customer Delivery Manager. In this role, I lead a team of two account managers and two metering services specialists. I oversee the customer facing and service delivery functions of the business, from engaging with customers and intermediaries through to installation of meters, I also have the responsibility of being the Metering Coordinator Manager, which means I ensure the compliance of our metering with market regulations. I have a dual focus on customer satisfaction and regulatory compliance.
Powermetric has a fantastic culture. It’s very different from previous companies I have worked for, which struggled to find a balance between shareholder value and valuing their people. Here, everyone is friendly and supportive. We work well together and have fun outside of work too. I feel like I belong here, and I appreciate the collaboration and respect among the teams. It’s been a great experience so far and I have no regrets about making the switch.
For my direct team, I want to create a balance between performance and enjoyment. I want them to be passionate, proud, and productive in their work, but also to have fun and be happy. I want them to feel valued and empowered by me as their leader. For the broader team, I want them to feel included and safe in the workplace. I want them to be comfortable working across teams and sharing their ideas and feedback. I have ambitions to help the business grow and achieve its goals, while also helping people grow and develop their skills.
One of the achievements I’m proud of is building a strong team. I’m proud we were able to find and hire the right people who fit well together and complement each other’s strengths. I’m proud of creating a team that is collaborative, cohesive, and capable.
I think we have a very good approach to flexible working. It allows me to balance my work and personal life better. Having three young kids, it’s important for me to be able to work from home when needed or adjust my hours according to their schedule. It also helps me reduce stress and improve my productivity. I’m grateful for the trust and flexibility that I am offered as an employee, and how it allows me to be more present in my children’s lives.