Sr Advisor Market Development

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 Enabling Resources Program (“ERP” or ”Program”) is a set of projects that will enable key emerging resources, specifically electricity storage (“storage”), hybrid generation-storage pairings (“hybrids”) and Distributed Energy Resources (“DERs”) into the IESO-administered markets (“IAM”) including their tools and processes. The aim of ERP is to allow these resources to more effectively provide required system services and contribute to the safe and reliable operation of the bulk power system in Ontario.

Reporting to the Supervisor, ERP Market Development, DER Integration Project, the Program is looking for 1 senior advisor to lead and facilitate the DER stream of work. This role will interact with the external sector, software vendors, and numerous IESO areas such as Enterprise Change, Information & Technology Services (I&TS), Markets & Reliability (“M&R”), Settlements the Market Assessment & Compliance Division (“MACD”), and Power System Development (“PSD”) to name a few.

What you'll do

• Act as a design lead on ERP’s DER stream related to market development and integration initiatives, including developing and implementing workplans.  This may include the management of external consultants retained for the same.
• Follow changes in the regulatory and policy landscape, and evaluate regulatory decisions both abroad and in Ontario to determine possible implications on Ontario’s wholesale electricity markets relevant to DER/As. Synthesize and incorporate any possible implications into the ERP market design and development plans.
• Lead the development of reports and analysis to support senior leadership decision-making.
• Lead and participate in internal and external engagement sessions related to DER integration, bridging diverse perspectives and driving positive outcomes for the ERP
• Prepare and review contingency plans for problems and situations that might occur, establish a course of action to accomplish long-term goals.
• Assess and link short-term analysis to long-term strategies; consider whether short-term goals will meet long-term market development objectives for DERs and their aggregations (together “DER/As”).  Examine the big picture when considering possible opportunities or projections.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of developments in market theory and in current or proposed methods for energy/operating reserve/capacity markets.  Peruse academic, technical and financial reports, studies, books, journals etc, dealing with various aspects of energy markets.  Keep abreast of technological developments and best practices in the industry as they apply to electricity markets and DERs.
• Analyze and review market development plans that could be required with the Ontario Energy Board (“OEB”), other government agencies, and/or electrical utilities.
• Review and analyze input from MACD and incorporate findings into market development plans. 
• Coordinate and align ERP market design and development plans with the IESO business development plans.
• Represent the Division or the IESO, as assigned, on committees, task forces and in various forums.  Make presentations concerning methods, results or analytical studies pertaining to market development plan to internal and external groups, as needed. 
• Ensure that the confidentiality of data from the IESO, market participants and external stakeholders is safeguarded.
• Analyze and produce recommendations and reports on specific ERP market development initiatives.
• Organize, conduct and participate in external engagement of ERP recommendations, documents and reports prior to developing final recommendations.
• Help build and maintain network relationships with the external sector to enhance the reputation of the organization.
• Serve as the technical expert on ERP to both internal and external groups.
• Respond to internal and external stakeholder feedback received on ERP development initiatives.
• Participate in the development of Market Rule, Market Manual, and internal procedure amendments as required.
• Participate in the development and delivery of internal and external training as required.
• Provide market participants and others both within and outside of the IESO with guidance and advice regarding market development related to ERP.
• Work collaboratively with other members of the ERP team to effectively implement the goals of the team within the context of the broader corporate direction including providing direct support to ERP’s storage & hybrid stream of work.
• Perform other duties as required.

What you need to succeed

Education:

• Requires academic training in business, commerce, engineering, math, economics, or other applicable field of study at a level to understand and apply the technical/economical legislative parameters governing the energy industry and market place.
• Requires analytical and organization skills, excellent command of the English language, written and oral communication skills, in order to undertake studies, programs and projects of major issue, to develop strategies, communicate and effectively interface with all contacts involved in accomplishing the work objectives.
• This knowledge is considered to be normally acquired through the successful completion of four years university education in the appropriate field, or the equivalent. 

Experience:

• Requires extensive knowledge and understanding of the design and operation of the IESO-administered markets or other electricity markets, and a broad understanding of the electricity industry in general particularly as it relates to the utility sector landscape in Ontario and the bulk system integration of DER/As
• Requires a strong understanding of, or background in, the utility sector to become familiar with the inherent factors – opportunities and barriers –influencing DER/As in the energy industry including: utility grid modernization; metering and data measurement & verification of DER/As; service stacking of DER/As; and bi-directional Transmission-Distribution coordination. A strong preference will be given to those with direct experience with the following topics: distribution utility operations, tools and systems such as DER Management Systems (“DERMS”), Advanced Distribution Management Systems (“ADMS”); distribution utility asset planning; future Distribution System Operator (“DSO”) capabilities and the development of DSOs in the Ontario context; and modeling, metering, and/or settlement considerations for geographic, small (i.e. less than 1 MW), and/or mixed-technology (e.g. combinations of injection, storage, and/or demand response technologies) DER aggregations.
• Requires experience to develop a good overall understanding of system and market operation practices and procedures.
• Can undertake complex market or system analysis and resource utilization studies.
• Requires a background that allows for broad thinking, high analytical and reasoning skills, as well as applying, testing and considering the merits of alternatives.
• Requires demonstrated experience in the review of vast amounts of information, breaking it down, prioritizing and synthesizing several related trends to determine relevant impact within and outside Ontario.
• Requires experience in building relationships, strong interpersonal, written and oral communication skills. Requires demonstrated leadership experiences to influence and motivate others to work as team members.
• Requires project management skills to effectively complete work objectives/projects on time and within budget.
• Requires strong presentation skills.
• A period of over 8 years and up to and including 10 years is considered necessary to gain this experience.

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: August 8, 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 Mississauga location.

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