Advisor Regional and Community Engagement

Independent Electricity System Operator

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

The IESO is committed to ensuring Ontario’s electricity system meets the province’s needs today and into the future. The Advisor, Regional and Community Engagement is responsible for developing and managing 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 is a unionized position that falls within the Regional & Community Engagement Departments of the Corporate Relations, Engagement and Strategy Business Unit. The energy sector is rapidly evolving, offering exciting new opportunities for those who want to make a difference. The Advisor will establish positive relationships 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. You will collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure diverse perspectives inform energy planning and decision-making. Your work will directly contribute to driving positive outcomes for Ontarians and advancing initiatives to ensure the province has the energy it needs to power a more competitive, self-reliant and resilient economy - energy that is affordable, secure, reliable and clean.

Requirements

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
6-8 years of experience

Responsibilities

Support the development and implementation of strategic outreach and engagement plans in accordance with IESO’s External Relations Engagement Framework to support regional electricity planning and other IESO projects;
Lead the execution of plans including the design and development of tools, presentation materials, FAQs and other resources, and facilitation of engagement activities such as webinars, workshops and targeted outreach meetings;
Build and maintain effective relationships with municipalities, communities and their representatives, including consumers, chambers of commerce, and boards of trades and other key influencers by acting as single point of contact, building educational capacity about the IESO’s core functions and responsibilities, such as electricity planning;
Develop a comprehensive understanding of the specific community and stakeholder issues within certain regions and support their resolution within the IESO.
Support the development and implementation of comprehensive outreach and engagement plans tailored to the unique needs and characteristics of a specific region, ensuring key influencers and all interested parties are informed and involved.
Consult and collaborate with subject matter experts and leadership across various teams to develop these plans, complete with methods and tools to meet the unique needs of a region and maximize purposeful engagement and input;
Host webinars, briefings, and targeted outreach meetings designed to build understanding of the IESO and its regional electricity planning activities, address community‑specific issues, and provide accessible opportunities for two‑way dialogue and to provide input into the process.
Analyze and consolidate feedback received through outreach and engagement activities, and lead the development of strategic responses that align with IESO objectives, and promote transparent decision‑making, working with subject matter experts .
Analyze and manage issues arising within municipalities and community stakeholders in a specific region, working with subject matter experts to determine the best course for response and resolution.
Attend conferences and events to build and strengthen relationships with municipalities and communities while promoting awareness of IESO initiatives and engagement opportunities.