Advisor Resource Acquisition

Independent Electricity System Operator

2d • 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 IESO is charged with purpose, delivering reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity for homes, businesses, and communities across the province. The IESO is energized to grow, embracing opportunities to shape the future of a dynamic and evolving energy sector while advancing careers. The IESO is 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!

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 is a unionized position that falls within the Resource & System Adequacy Division of the Power System Development Business Unit.

The energy sector is rapidly evolving, offering exciting new opportunities for those who want to make a difference. Electricity demand in the Toronto region is projected to grow significantly over the next two decades. Through the Toronto Integrated Regional Resource Plan (IRRP), the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) has identified the need for additional transmission capacity to support long-term growth and system reliability. The recommended solution is the Toronto Third Line (TTL), a new underwater high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission connection between Clarington (Bowmanville Switching Station) and downtown Toronto via Lake Ontario. On January 7, 2026, the Government of Ontario announced its intent to proceed with this first-of-its-kind project and directed the IESO to launch a competitive procurement to select the transmitter that will design, build, and operate the line. Designed to strengthen grid resilience, diversify supply pathways, and relieve emerging transmission constraints, the Toronto Third Line represents a critical investment in Toronto’s energy future. The successful candidate will play a key role in the design and launch of this first-of-its-kind procurement in Ontario.

This role is exciting because it sits at the centre of Ontario’s rapidly evolving energy sector, where decisions made today directly shape the reliability, affordability, and sustainability of the electricity system.

The Advisor plays a direct role in designing and improving resource adequacy mechanisms, using forward‑looking analysis to influence how energy, capacity, and transmission resources are acquired. It offers a unique blend of strategic thinking and hands-on execution, from building procurement frameworks to evaluating bids and negotiating contracts. The work spans technical, commercial, and policy dimensions, providing broad exposure to competitive procurements and evolving market structures. With opportunities to engage stakeholders, assess emerging trends, and apply energy economics in practice, the role has visible impact on system reliability and sector evolution. Overall, it’s a chance to help guide major infrastructure decisions while working on complex, high‑impact challenges in a rapidly changing electricity landscape.

Requirements

• Ability to work with cross-functional project teams, including internal staff and external consultants.
• Experience working with multiple workstreams, complex schedules, and competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to communicate complex technical and commercial concepts clearly to a variety of audiences.
• Highly collaborative, adaptable, and comfortable working in a dynamic, evolving energy landscape.
• Self-motivated with a sense of ownership and commitment to delivering results.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strategic mindset with the ability to align procurement decisions with organizational objectives, market needs, and policy direction.
• High level of judgment, professionalism, and accountability when working with commercially sensitive information.
• Familiarity with Ontario electricity sector regulations, policies, and standards, or the ability to quickly develop deep regulatory expertise.
• The knowledge required for the job is considered to be normally acquired through the successful completion of a 4-year university education or the equivalent in a science, engineering, economics, math or business discipline.
• The minimum level of experience for the incumbent to perform at a satisfactory level of proficiency is 6–8 years including the period of adjustment on the job itself.

Nice To Haves

• Experience developing and/or working with contracts related to complex energy or infrastructure facilities is an asset.
• Experience working within or alongside a regulated electricity market environment is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate and solve technical and commercial issues associated with projects, including both procurement and policy initiatives.
• Perform facility performance analysis (e.g., thermodynamic modelling), cost estimation (research, quotes, consultant reports), return analysis (financial modelling), and risk analysis (mitigate/contractually allocate risk).
• Help oversee the design of procurement mechanisms, strategies and processes appropriate for the type of procurement (standard offer, auction, competitive RFP, negotiation) and the type of resource being sought.
• Help lead the development of procurement documents, including program rules, request for proposals, and contracts. Help manage internal and external legal teams in drafting documents.
• Implement procurement processes, ensuring that all obligations are fulfilled in accordance with procurement/contract requirements, culminating in successful execution of contracts, and, as needed, manage assigned contractual obligations.
• Undertake contract negotiations with counterparties, ensuring IESO and rate payer interests are upheld and IESO’s reputation and professionalism are maintained.
• Develop, manage, and enhance procurement initiative infrastructure, including proposal evaluation tools, prescribed forms and program specific website that will be used by the public to interact with IESO and as the main method of receiving program content.
• Internally with various business units (e.g., Planning, Regulatory Affairs, Legal Affairs, Markets, System Operations, Indigenous Relations and the Market Renewal Program team); externally with Government and its agencies, such as the Ministry of Energy, Northern Development and Mines, and with external stakeholders.
• As required, source, secure and manage the work of external consultants (e.g., legal, economic, / technical, auditing, etc.).
• Participate in project teams comprised of IESO staff and external staff, as required.
• Remain flexible and available to assist with other projects within the Department or in other IESO Departments.
• Perform other duties as required.

Benefits

• Best-in-class benefits and long-term support in the form of a defined benefit pension plan.
• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees