Senior Managers - System Integration

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.

Overview

The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) works at the heart of Ontario’s power system to ensure that there is enough electricity to keep the lights on, today and into the future. We operate the power system in real time, oversee Ontario’s electricity markets, deliver energy efficiency and plan for Ontario’s future energy needs. In today’s fast-changing energy landscape, ensuring Ontario’s businesses and communities have access to reliable and affordable power is becoming more complex – and more exciting. That’s why now, more than ever, we need value-driven and agile professionals to provide diverse perspectives, embrace innovation, and thrive in a collaborative environment built on shared values and a powerful purpose.

We are seeking bright, talented and strategic people leaders who are eager to apply their leadership to support our technical and engineering teams with the transformation of the Ontario electricity sector while ensuring a reliable and cost effective power grid in the role of a Senior Manager within our System Integration division. A successful candidate is an effective team player, collaborator, critical thinker, demonstrates agility, strong communicator and has an good grasp of power system operations and electricity markets fundamentals.

The Opportunities

There are four available Senior Manager roles (Connection Assessments, Power System Limits, System Models and Operations Readiness) whose teams conduct the integration of new or modified equipment into our reliability and market systems, undertake engineering studies and analysis by application of specialized technology in the field of power systems to support real-time operations, operations planning, reliable integration of system changes and system planning activities for the Ontario power grid; Provides analytical and technical support for the development of operating and planning policies, operating agreements, equipment specifications, operational and outage plans and system investments; Conducts model development, studies and analysis. 

A summary of accountabilities for the teams is as follows:

Operations Readiness:

• Lead the evolution of the IESO’s reliability tools by enhancing the models, applications, and tools used in real-time operations to operate the grid and markets and other IESO teams to complete planning and reliability assessments.
• Working with external customers (we call them Market Participants), coordinate the integration of new or modified system changes across the IESO.

System Models:

• Validate that all grid equipment meets the expectations set in System Impact Assessments and the IESO Market Rules, as well as meeting the requirements of applicable reliability standards. 
• Provide timely and accurate network models, combined models, and off-line models that meet requirements for reliable operation and customer satisfaction.

Power System Limits:

• Conduct studies assessing the operability of Ontario power system.
• Calculate base operating security limits and produces System Control Orders (operating instructions) as equipment is added to or removed from the IESO-controlled grid, which are utilized from the planning to real-time periods.

Connection Assessments:

• Directs the development of connection requirements and recommendations that are critical to the Ontario power sector impacting overall power system and customer reliability, capital investments, infrastructure development and resource acquisition;
• Ensures that all new or upgraded facilities planning to connect to the IESO-controlled grid are compliant with NERC standards and NPCC criteria, and meet all of the IESO Market Rules via system impact studies;

In general, all teams play a critical role in maintaining a reliable and operable power system.  The Senior Manager is a leader in in collaborating, influencing and coordinating with external entities such as the North American Electric Reliability Corporation, Ontario Energy Board, Ontario Ministry of Energy and other reliability authorities across North America.  The Senior Manager is also responsible for the development of the team to ensure future leadership and technical knowledge.

What you need to succeed

Education:

• Requires knowledge of electrical theory, power system analysis and control and computer science to develop and implement short term plans for the development of detailed and accurate power system models and to validate that the operation of equipment connected to the IESO-controlled grid are consistent with connection assessments, and are compliant with the Market Rules and reliability standards to assure the secure operation of the electrical system and the efficient operation of the market. 
• Requires academic training in business administration, commerce or engineering to understand and apply technical/economic legislative parameters governing energy industry and IESO-administered markets, to plan, organize, manage and evaluate processes covering market participant authorization and facilities registration, and to develop options to address business process issues within market participant structured teams or within business units of the IESO
• This knowledge is considered to be normally acquired either through the successful completion of 4 years’ university education or the equivalent.

Experience:

• Requires experience in the electricity industry to become familiar with the general system operations
• Requires broad sector experience to acquire sound insight and understanding of all facets of the power system. 
• Requires knowledge of the IESO roles, the Ontario electricity market, regulatory affairs and IESO market rules in order to manage processes to facilitate the reliable and efficient connection of generation, transmission and load and reliable operation of the resulting system. 
• Requires further on the job experience to become familiar with methods and practices associated with the work functions
• A period of over 10 years, up to and including 12 years is considered necessary to gain this experience

What the IESO offers:

• Work with the top people leaders and engineers in the industry and be part of a team that supports your continuous growth and development;
• Engage with power system experts across the electricity industry;
• A comprehensive leadership program;
• A strong sense of accomplishment as your work not only shapes the current operation of the Ontario power grid, but sets the standard for future changes;
• Competitive salary and opportunities for promotion;
• Education assistance for programs and courses to develop and enrich staff;
• Flexible working arrangements;
• Great work-life balance with 35-hour work-weeks; and
• Extra-curricular activities both on and off-site, that provide opportunities to build relationships and contribute to a positive working environment.

Core Competencies:

Competency Focus #1: Shape our Future

• Anticipate the future and demonstrate thought leadership
• Build organizational capability by aligning resources to strategic priorities
• Drive change and continuous improvement to support business transformation

Competency Focus #2: Energize our People

• Communicate with authenticity and clarity to inspire a shared purpose
• Develop, empower and motivate people to achieve high performance
• Model core values and invest in continuous learning

Competency Focus #3: Deliver our Mandate

• Demonstrate agility to adapt to evolving market and customer needs
• Exercise savvy risk taking and make informed decisions
• Leverage and bridge diverse perspectives to facilitate collaboration

Values we live by:

• Expertise with Humility
• Commitment & Accountability
• Genuine Caring
• Purposeful Engagement
• Openness to Change
• Collaboration & Teamwork

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
   

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

Please specify which team or teams are applicable in your application.

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. Individuals participating in the program can work an average of three days per week remotely within Ontario.  When working in the office, you will be located at our Mississauga location.

Join our talent community

Sign up for talent community; stay in touch, find out about new opportunities – and discover how you can make a difference. 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.

Find out why we were selected as Greater Toronto’s Top 2023 Employers, and what we offer.