Senior Manager, Rule Enforcement

INDEPENDENT ELECTRICITY SYSTEM OPERATOR (IESO)

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 Senior Manager, Rule Enforcement oversees the MACD units responsible for fostering compliance with the Ontario electricity market rules and North American reliability standards, directly impacting regulatory compliance and operational reliability of the Ontario grid. Reporting to the Director of Rule Compliance and Market Surveillance, this position manages all operational processes related to unit functions, including:

• Investigations and monitoring of market conduct, including possible significant breaches of the General Conduct and Information Rules, as well as breaches of all other market rules;
• Investigations of possible breaches of North American reliability standards, including events which have caused actual or potential impact on the electric grid, such as blackouts or load loss; and
• Execution of various audits, investigations and reviews of market conduct and settlement outcomes for the purpose of enforcement of payment recovery provisions.

The Senior Manager will have the opportunity to oversee the development, maintenance, documentation and adherence to an operational framework to govern these processes effectively on an on-going basis, particularly during the market renewal transition. The ideal candidate will have extensive knowledge of power systems and electricity markets, as well as demonstrated experience in leadership, change management, and the ability to foster collaboration and drive process improvements in a dynamic regulatory environment.  

What you'll do

Enforcement Disputes

• In coordination with the VP and Directors of MACD, as required, manage and direct execution of procedures, steps and decisions in the IESO’s dispute resolution process, as it pertains to disputes arising specifically from MACD enforcement determinations, orders or executed payment recoveries. This includes managing and potentially directly participating in respect of good faith negotiations, mediation, arbitration and/or appeal hearings before the Ontario Energy Board or the provincial courts.

Market Rule Compliance Investigations

• Directs and manages teams, contractors or staff in the performance of significant investigations of possible breaches of the General Conduct Rule, which includes major market manipulation, exploitation, deceptive and anti-competitive market conduct, including information-gathering steps allowed for under the applicable legislation and/or market rules and the making of recommendations as to breaches of these market rules.
• Directs and manages teams, contractors or staff in the performance of investigations of possible breaches of the more than 10,000 other market rules which market participants and the IESO must comply with, including information-gathering steps allowed for under the applicable legislation and/or market rules and the making of recommendations as to breaches of these market rules.
• Directs and manages teams, contractors or staff in the performance of information gathering and analysis which support the recommendation of sanctions for determined breaches of market rules, including financial penalties of as high as $1 million per occurrence.
• In respect of these functions, directs and manages:
  • The preparation and issuance of formal Notices of Alleged Breach to market participants and the IESO, as applicable, meeting all requirements of this notice obligation under the market rules.
  • Evidence gathering, analysis and maintenance.
  • Completion of investigation reports, containing summaries of evidence, breach and sanction assessments.
  • Processes affording investigation targets the opportunity to present views and representations to the VP of MACD.
  • Procurement of expert opinion, where applicable.
  • Identification and preparation of witnesses for potential litigation purposes, acquisition and evaluation of mitigation plans in cases of ongoing or potentially recurring breaches.
• Liaises, where applicable, with other government agencies, IESO business units and Legal Services pursuant to various MOUs and protocols.
• Approves findings and recommendations to support VP of MACD's consideration of enforcement rulings, determinations and orders.
• Ensures the MACD business unit's adherence with all market rules and administrative law principles governing such investigations of breaches of the rules to provide assurance in respect of IESO and MACD reputational and litigation risk in the event of downstream dispute and litigation of MACD enforcement rulings.

Compliance Monitoring and Coordination

• Directs and manages the effective coordination of monitoring or other detection methods with other business units of the IESO who are also engaged in activities which involve gathering of market or participant information and/or who also make use of this monitoring for their business purposes.

Reliability Standards Compliance Investigations

• In respect of the IESO and Ontario market participants' obligation to comply with the over 1,000 North American Reliability Standards, including NERC and NPCC standards and criteria, ("reliability standards") perform all of the same job functions and holds the same accountabilities as above in respect of investigations and monitoring processes.
• Directs and manages MACD's processes in accordance with any international  or regulatory obligations or understandings with these or other authorities, at a minimum including cooperation agreements with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ("FERC"), the North American Electric Reliability Corporation ("NERC"), the Northeast Power Coordinating Council ("NPCC"), the Ontario Energy Board ("the OEB"), the Canada Energy Regulaor ("CER") and other provincial reliability enforcement entities (I,e, "MESG").
• Directs and manages investigations of the IESO's compliance with reliability standards pursuant to findings of audits of the IESO, reformed b NPCC and NERC, in accordance with internal and external understandings and agreements.

Audits and Payment Recoveries

• Directs and manages teams, contractors or staff in the execution of delegated authorities of the IESO pursuant to the market rules, including the execution of audits or other review processes, which may lead to clawbacks and recoveries of settlement amounts.
• These authorities, at a minimum, include the execution of provisions of the market rules related to Generation Cost Guarantees, Local Market Power, a variety of Congestion Management Settlement Credit circumstances, Intertie Transaction Failures, Transmission Rights Payments, and Operating Reserve payments, and the making of recommendations as to clawbacks or recoveries of related settlement amounts and/or, as delegated, make determinations in relation to such recoveries or clawbacks.
• In coordination with the MACD’s Directors and VP, as required, directs and manages execution of procedures and steps in the IESO's dispute resolution process, as it pertains to disputes arising from recoveries, clawbacks, or other such matters arising from these IESO authorities.

Partnerships and Framework

• Leads and/or contributes to development and maintenance of international, federal and provincial partnerships related to the enforcement of Ontario market rules and North American reliability standards.
• Directs and manages the development, documentation, maintenance of and adherence to a framework governing all of the above processes, including policies, handbooks, guides, procedures, processes, templates, tools and manuals, as required.

Market Leadership

• Provide advice to the government, regulator, and/or other stakeholders on marketplace environmental considerations.
• Directs and manages the development and execution of plans and works with stakeholders and government to develop greater clarity and effectiveness concerning market and compliance issues.

Business Unit Leadership 

• Develop own business group's overall direction to achieve approved programs and targeted results through delivery on the managerial accountabilities established for the IESO.
  • Create for the business group change strategies that support strategic business initiatives.
  • Influence creative and responsive business unit strategies and direction to permit an integrated framework for divisional strategies.
  • Develop and manage appropriate organizational system for planning, implementing and evaluating results that support the business.
  • Maintain effective stakeholder relationships and meet or exceed their expectations.
  • Manage performance to maximize individual and group effectiveness and remedy performance deficiencies (e.g. via personal effectiveness appraisals, merit pay, removal from role, etc.).
  • Create the right environment for continuous learning and change and provide effective leadership to achieve desired end results within an evolving business context.
  • Establish the nature of horizontal roles and responsibilities to align efforts among divisions and departments.
  • Provide a work environment and facilities where health and safety incidents are minimized.
  • Through resource planning and management, translate business group's goals into appropriately detailed divisional work plans and establish a clear, corresponding understanding of associated accountabilities and task assignments.
  • Develop and maintain the required mix of skills/expertise through appropriate mechanisms to grow the talent pool that satisfies the requirements of both the business unit and its staff.
  • This involves the acquisition and management of a diverse group of professionals, such as investigators, engineers, energy traders, accountants, auditors, data analysts, power systems professionals and various electricity generation and industrial manufacturing technical professionals.
  • Manage performance to maximize individual and group effectiveness and remedy performance deficiencies.
  • Provide a work environment that supports and values diversity and psychological safety.
  • Ensure every reasonable precaution is taken for the protection of subordinates, the environment and corporate assets (including information).
     

What you need to succeed

• Successful completion of a university degree in administration, business, finance, commerce, economics or a related discipline.  
• Current knowledge of industry norms and best practices in business administration, employee engagement and project management through continuing education is an asset.
• 10 years of progressively senior responsibilities in a substantial subset of the areas of rules and standards, compliance, investigations, enforcement, negotiations, markets and reliability.
• Developed leadership, collaboration, influence, persuasion and negotiation skills along with experience in influencing individuals including those at the senior to executive management levels to achieve desired behaviors and outcomes.
• Strong understanding of the Ontario electricity market and sector, including but not limited to its market rules and requirements, including reliability standards, strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of economic theory, electricity market design, power systems, investigative techniques, competition and administrative law, strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience leading and supervising a team in a managerial capacity to achieve strategic objectives.  
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience with business administration principles and processes to develop strategic business assessments, identify and oversee performance measures, and adopt tools and methodologies that drive efficiency, consistency and risk mitigation.
• Demonstrated experience identifying, managing and leveraging emerging issues, opportunities and related risks.  
• Demonstrated experience overseeing a project from the concept stage through the implementation stage, whether successful or unsuccessful, as well as taking over projects already initiated and carrying out established plans.  
• Demonstrated experience working and decision-making in a dynamic team environment with competing perspectives.
• Confident leader and communicator who delivers clear and engaging presentations, writes in concise plain language style, and conveys information in a manner appropriate to the audience.
• Knowledge or experience with North American electricity markets or with a regulatory compliance and enforcement body is an asset.  
   

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: (January 27.2025) 

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, or Oakville location.

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