Senior Planner

Date October 27, 2025

Location Toronto, ON

Requisition ID 20629

Status Regular

Business Unit Power System Development

Why join us?

The IESO is committed to ensuring Ontario’s electricity system meets the province’s needs today and into the future. We are charged with purpose, delivering reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity for homes, businesses, and communities across the province. We are energized to grow, embracing opportunities to shape the future of a dynamic and evolving energy sector while advancing our careers. We are powered by teamwork, supported by diverse and passionate colleagues who foster respect, celebrate successes, and thrive on shared achievements. At the IESO, it’s not just what we do—it’s who we are! 

Who we are

Our central role includes managing the provincial power grid in real-time, overseeing and evolving Ontario’s electricity market, engaging with government, municipalities and Indigenous communities, and planning for Ontario’s future electricity needs. Our employees play a key role in driving grid innovation, protecting the system from threats, advancing the province’s energy conservation programs, and forecasting and procuring the electricity resources we’ll need in the decades to come.  

This role is a part of the Power System Development Business Unit and is unionized.

What makes this role exciting

The energy sector is rapidly evolving, offering exciting new opportunities for those who want to make a difference.

What makes this role exciting is the opportunity to shape the future of Ontario’s power system. As a Senior Planner, you’ll lead the development of integrated plans that directly influence system reliability. You’ll be at the forefront of energy planning—designing analytical models, driving research, and engaging with stakeholders across regulatory, procurement, and policy landscapes. This role offers a unique blend of strategic influence and technical leadership, allowing you to make meaningful contributions in shaping the future of the electricity system. If you're passionate about energy innovation and want to help guide critical decisions at the IESO, this is a dynamic and rewarding position.

What you’ll do
You'll make a meaningful impact by contributing to the IESO team and supporting the electricity needs of the province.  In this role, you will:

• Lead to conceptualise, initiate and perform various aspects of power system plan development, preparation, and implementation specifically related to resource planning. This includes evaluating system reliability needs, developing and evaluating options, making recommendations, and establishing a rationale for a preferred solution.

• Lead and coordinate complex power system and risk studies or assessments as part of the integrated power system planning process.

• Transform system needs into a set of acquisition targets and processes and to advise on policy decisions that apply the principles related to reliability, operability, and environmental requirements.
• Manage and deliver on reports and submissions for compliance with market rules, and standards rule of procedure (e.g. NERC assessments, NPCC assessments, Reliability Outlook, and other special studies)
• Project manage the development of plans and planning products including documenting objectives, outcomes, deliverables, milestones, and setting the schedule/timelines.

• Evaluate or use of complex analytical data in order to assess and understand the behaviour and performance of the power system in the Ontario context.
• Studies and assessments may span a wide range and be ad hoc in nature, require initiative in research, synthesis of a wide range of information in summarizing, requiring strategic thinking and flexibility in delivery for relevance to planning in Ontario.
• Anticipate relevant strategic issues and risk mitigation for management

• Responsible for developing, maintaining and enhancing processes, procedures, tools and assumptions, including process documentation, quality assurance and quality control.
• Conduct research on technologies, planning methods and practices, bringing relevant external trends and practices to benefit Ontario’s planning.

• Act as team leader, taking accountability for the execution of entire or portions of studies contributing to the development of integrated plans. Responsible to work with other business units in the IESO and externally to integrate information and insights to advance planning analysis.

• Serve as the spokesperson as appropriate when participating in stakeholder meetings, including officials from other jurisdictions, private sector companies, community engagements, public forums and consultations with government on proposed solutions and planning issues.
• Lead in the preparation of broader technical and policy based reports, presentations, memos and submissions related to planning (i.e., projects, recent developments) for stakeholder reviews, Board of Directors’ information, Ministry of Energy, regulatory proceedings, or other purposes.

• Represent the IESO effectively in relevant committees, task forces and working groups; influence discussions and share insights back with the team.

• Support the IESO participation in external industry regulatory forums, both in Canada and the U.S (e.g. joint studies, standards, planning, and regulatory proceedings).
• Keep abreast of electricity industry developments, government, energy, environment, and economic policy and regulatory changes.  Recommend participation approach, and propose strategies to address matters that are relevant to the Resource and Plan Assessments department
• Mentor, advise and guide junior and less experienced staff. Set and manage quality control and review of work and products of junior planning staff.
• Other duties or responsibilities may be assigned.

In a typical day there will be a mix of strategic planning, collaboration, and execution. Your time may be spent on leading and/or supporting initiatives, contributing to cross-functional discussions, and making decisions that drive progress on key projects. There’s a strong emphasis on proactive communication, strategic thinking, and aligning efforts across the organization.

Recently, this position was part of the development of the IESO’s Annual Planning Outlook, Reliability Outlook and involved in a number of other planning products.

Role Requirements
Our team consists of experts from diverse backgrounds, each bringing their unique perspectives and skills. 
To succeed in this role, you’ll need: 

• • A university degree in Engineering, Science, Mathematics, Economics, Planning or other relevant discipline is required.
  • 8-10 years of experience in a power system planning, energy policy, operations or analytical studies related to integrated planning is typically required.

The following skills/experience/knowledge are preferred for success in this role:

• Strong quantitative, statistical, program solving and learning agility
• Skilled in written, verbal communication and presentation skills to prepare and present complex information and analysis, briefings, and reports to small and large groups
• Self-initiative, creativity, passion for problem solving and comfort with ambiguity and complexity
• Overall interest and knowledge of the policy and market environment as it relates to Ontario’s electricity sector
• High level of understanding of reliability criteria, their application and relevancy, and market elements
• Good understanding of various specialized power system analysis and production simulation tools and technologies
• Skilled in the use of PC and web-based applications and databases
• Passion for serving electricity customers and public interest

How We Support You

From a comprehensive total rewards program to dynamic learning and development opportunities—including job rotations to broaden your expertise—we empower you to define and shape your own success. When you join the IESO, here’s what you can expect:

• Best-in-class benefits and long-term support in the form of a defined benefit pension plan. 
• A commitment to flexibility as we currently support a hybrid model where applicable, that supports a blend of remote and in-office work based on business needs. Participating employees typically work in-office a minimum of four days and work remotely up to six days over a two-week period with a goal of maximizing in-office time through the use of established team days. 
• Work in a dynamic and evolving sector that offers exciting opportunities and the chance to explore new career paths.
• Leadership that values meaningful discussions, welcomes feedback, and prioritizes career development. 
• A strong, inclusive culture and a collaborative team environment with a shared passion for impactful work.
• Compensation packages that are regularly reviewed to remain competitive and to best accommodate the diverse needs of our employees. 

Deadline

November 17, 2025. For future reference, please save a copy of the job posting as it will no longer be available once the posting closes.

Thank you for your interest in a career at the IESO. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. Please note that the successful candidate must be legally eligible to work in Canada and will be subject to applicable background checks. 

IESO will not conduct interviews or offer positions via online, text, chat or social media platforms. We will not gather personal information directly from candidates or potential candidates. Selected candidates will work with our Talent Acquisition team to ensure their application is processed.  

We believe in opportunities for everyone.  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’re proud to say we’ve been recognized as a supportive, inclusive employer.