Job Description

INDEPENDENT ELECTRICITY SYSTEM OPERATOR (IESO)

Requisition ID: 19659
Location: Toronto – Hybrid
Status: Temporary – up to 24 months
Business Unit: Corporate Relations, Stakeholder Engagement & Innovation

Why join us?

You’ve got great skills. And you want to use them in an organization where you know what you do every day matters. We get that.
We also know that ensuring Ontarians have access to affordable and reliable power doesn’t happen by accident. So we give you the tools, flexibility and support you need to achieve your goals, and development opportunities to help you grow. You’ll thrive in a collaborative, team-based environment that values your unique skills and experiences – and recognizes that when you do better, we become even better too.

Who we are

The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) works at the centre of the province’s power system, ensuring Ontarians have access to reliable and cost-effective electricity when and where they need it. We operate the province’s electricity grid 24/7, design, run and oversee the wholesale electricity markets, and plan and prepare to meet Ontario’s electricity needs – now and into the future.

The opportunity

The Advisor, Stakeholder Engagement is responsible to develop and manage strong business relationships with various stakeholders and members of communities across Ontario. This includes municipalities, third party sector organizations, small business consumers and community-supported associations, chambers and boards of trade with an objective to understanding needs and characteristics associated with community energy planning. These relationships are critical to informing the IESO’s regional planning initiatives that expand over 21 regions across the province. This position is also responsible to maximize engagement in the IESO’s regional planning process and other community engagement initiatives.

The Advisor, Stakeholder Engagement will manage the establishment and operation of formal engagement initiatives which may include the formation of Local Advisory Committees to ensure positive relations are built with communities through the regional planning process. This role will also lead and implement regional and community engagement activities to support broader sector outreach initiatives as requested by the Corporate and Regulatory Affairs group. The Advisor will establish positive relationships within the regional planning area, and act as a liaison, with municipalities, community organizations and broader stakeholder groups with regards to regional planning. The Advisor will ensure that the implementation of engagement initiatives positively builds the IESO’s visibility, presence and reputation with communities, municipalities and stakeholders.

What you’ll do

Leadership

– Influence the culture of engagement internally and externally
– Demonstrate by example the values of the IESO and the culture of the Customer, Stakeholder and Community Engagement team
– Participate in relevant associations relating to the assigned sector

Technical

– Develop and implement strategic community and municipal engagement plans, in accordance with IESO engagement process and principles to support regional planning and other IESO projects; consult and collaborate with staff to develop an engagement plan, complete with tools to meet the unique needs of a region and maximize the two-way dialogue on regional planning
– Participate in cross-functional, internal and external working groups to provide input on engagement process for implementation of effective plans with communities and stakeholders
– Establish, manage and lead engagement activities associated with each of the regional planning activities including implementation of tools, materials, webinars, workshops and FAQs
– Complete proper documentation of engagement activities including preparation of the engagement portion of the regional planning reports, and review applicable reports to ensure community views are accurately represented
– Develop web copy as required for regional planning section on the IESO website to ensure accurate and timely information is provided on regional planning
– Liaise with the other IESO teams to ensure outreach and communication efforts are coordinated across business units
– Support the planning and implementation of other community engagement initiatives – i.e. regional forums, community outreach/update meetings
– Coordinate contributions from across the IESO
– Identify key audiences and targeted participants
– Draft materials and agendas
– Prepare speakers
– Facilitate/moderate sessions when needed
– Represent IESO on external committees to positively influence outcomes and ensure communities and stakeholder groups are aware of the IESO’s regional planning and stakeholder engagement activities
– Undertake special projects as required, including management of external resources

Focus on Community Engagement

– Act as single point of contact for municipalities and the communities and representatives that they serve (i.e. consumers, chambers of commerce, boards of trades, etc.)
– Continue to look for ways to improve outreach and to build education capacity among communities to enable effective participation in engagement initiatives
– Build and manage effective relationships with external stakeholders and community representatives
– Develop and manage project specific outreach plans designed to project a favourable corporate image and gain public support for company objectives
– Provide sound advice/guidance/information directly to customers and others on issues related to their relationship with the IESO
– Develop an understanding of the specific customer issues and support their resolution within the IESO
– Collaborate with internal staff and provide analytical support in developing engagement techniques to promote and enhance the overall awareness of electricity planning across the province
– Other duties or responsibilities as may be assigned.

What you need to succeed

Required

– The education required to complete the responsibilities associated with the position is typically obtained through 4 years of university training
– Demonstrated experience in successfully developing, managing and executing stakeholder engagement plans and programs
– Superior communications skills – written oral and presentation, with strong diplomatic skills and the ability interact with all levels of the organization and with stakeholders
– Proven contract and vendor management experience for projects related to stakeholder, public and community relations and communication support
– Demonstrated ability to analyze issue, consolidate feedback, develop hypotheses and/or strategic responses, consistent with corporate objectives
– A positive, energetic individual with the demonstrated ability to lead activities, with and without direct positional authority
– Demonstrated ability to problem solve and to manage groups with divergent views
– Demonstrated research and writing skills
– Detail oriented; attention to accuracy
– Ability to build relationships; excellent interpersonal skills
– Strong leadership skills coupled with a passion for stakeholder outreach and public affairs
– Ability to respond to fast paced environment, where priorities can shift quickly
– General understanding of the IESO’s structure and functional areas
– Experience in dealing with customers (internal and external to the IESO) in a professional and service focused environment. Experience to effectively deal with complex inquiries as well as escalated and sensitive situations
– Excellent project management skills; ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines
– Exceptional organizational skills and time management skills
– Influence and negotiation skills; ability to persuade or influence others to adopt or accept a point of view or take a course of action
– Self-motivated; ability to work both independently with minimal supervision and as a team player and/or team leader
– Computer literacy in MS Office suite

The minimum level of experience for the incumbent to perform at a satisfactory level of proficiency is 6-8 years including the period of adjustment on the job itself

Assets
– Knowledge of energy issues and the energy sector

What’s in it for you

– A comprehensive total rewards program, including best-in-class benefits and a flexible workplace
– A challenging, fast-paced and collaborative team environment, where your perspectives and experiences matter
– Leaders who support your growth and success through regular feedback and coaching
– The opportunity to work with some of the brightest minds in the industry

Deadline: April 5, 2024

For future reference, please ensure to save a copy of the job description as it will no longer be available once the posting closes.

At the IESO, we know that achieving great results depends on embracing diversity by attracting, developing and retaining people from a wide variety of backgrounds. We do this by ensuring our recruitment and advancement policies are fair and equitable, and by creating an accessible and inclusive environment – one that values every team member’s unique skills and experiences and ensures they have the support they need to achieve their potential. If you require accommodation during the recruitment process, please let us know.

We thank you for your interest in a career at the IESO, but we will only contact those candidates selected for an interview.

Note: The successful candidate must be eligible to work in Canada and will be subject to a background check.

The IESO offers a hybrid work model program to most of our employees, based on business needs. Individuals participating in the program can work an average of three days per week remotely within Ontario. It also offers three flex weeks when individuals can work remotely within Ontario . When working in the office, you will be located at our Toronto location.

Join our talent community

Sign up for our talent community at careers.ieso.ca: stay in touch, find out about new opportunities – and discover how you can make a difference.

Visit our website at ieso.ca to discover how we use our expertise and commitment to deliver reliable and affordable electricity to Ontario’s businesses and communities, and how we’re innovating to secure a stronger energy future for all Ontarians. Visit Careers at IESO and be sure to follow us on LinkedIn.

Required languages: English

Education level: Bachelors Degree or equivalent combination of education and experience

Required skills: Community Engagement

Additional skills / Assets: Energy sector experience or knowledge

Closest intersection: York St and Adelaide St W