Senior Advisor Regulatory Affairs

Independent Electricity System Operator (Ieso)

43d • Hybrid

About The Position

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!

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 unionized position within the Legal Resource and Corporate Governance business unit.

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

The Senior Advisor, Regulatory Affairs will lead development of IESO strategic positions related to the regulation of the electricity sector including on cross-cutting topics such as gas-electricity coordination, the IESO's evolving relationship with local distribution companies as DERs adoption increases, and other topics in support IESO priority initiatives.
Under the direction of the Supervisor Regulatory Research and Analysis, the Senior Advisor represents the IESO in regulatory forums and shares accountability for the development and recommendation of IESO submissions in policy consultations and regulatory proceedings
The Senior Advisor also provides regulatory research, support, and advice to staff across the IESO on regulatory matters that may impact them.

Requirements

• Knowledge of power system fundamentals and understanding of the underlying fundamentals of the electricity sector.
• Knowledge of regulatory frameworks, market rules, and compliance requirements within the electricity sector, including the ability to interpret and apply regulatory policies to support decision-making abd ensure adherence to standards.
• This knowledge is considered to be normally acquired through the completion of 4 years of University training.
• Experience in understanding electricity sector restructuring, drivers for restructuring, and trends elsewhere
• Experience in rate or tariff design principles
• Knowledge of Ontario's electricity restructuring and roles of various participants
• Experience to be familiar with the operation of power systems, load demands and system characteristics, and dealing with customers and suppliers
• Experience in carrying out financial evaluations and business risk assessments
• Experience to be familiar with the scope and responsibilities of the position, organization and operation of related work groups, public participation programs, procedures, practices, and facilities
• A period of over 8 years and up to and including 10 years is considered necessary to gain this experience.

Responsibilities

• Keeping abreast of industry developments, government policy, regulatory proceedings, and marketplace developments in Ontario and other jurisdictions and determine appropriate actions, regulatory interventions, and/or positions under evolving regulatory and policy changes.
• Flag potential areas of interest or concern for the IESO, providing recommendations to mitigate any risks to the IESO, attending hearings and stakeholder sessions, and proactively disseminating information to relevant client groups
• Conduct studies and analyses in support of the regulatory objectives of the IESO, including analyses of strategic options, research, or special projects.
• Lead IESO appearances and develop IESO submissions for regulatory proceedings and policy initiatives of significance to the IESO in Ontario, Canada, and the United States, in coordination with other departments as required
• Manage regulatory projects to ensure the submission of materials in accordance with established timelines and guidelines
• Provide advice on regulatory matters and serve as a regulatory Subject Matter Expert on IESO initiatives
• Manage relationships with team members, colleagues, other departments and stakeholders to ensure information is shared, issues are resolved, and an outcome that is desirable to the IESO is achieved
• Develop and maintain relationships and alliances with inter-jurisdictional institutions, such as the Canadian Electricity Association and the ISO/RTO Council, and with the OEB and other regulatory institutions, such as the National Energy Board, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), and the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC)
• Prepare and manage the development of IESO evidence in other entities' rate cases, leave-to-construct applications, distribution plans and other applications, providing recommendations as required to the Supervisor
• Prepare comments and materials on relevant codes, rate orders and licenses, providing recommendations as required to the Supervisor
• Provide periodic/limited supervision to other delegated staff to assist on certain projects or studies
• Undertake Company business on “away from home” trips as required.
• Monitor the IESO's timely compliance with its regulatory obligations and responsibilities, ensuring pertinent licenses, permits and applicable market rules are adhered to and reporting and record keeping requirements are maintained
• Manage the IESO's fee submission to the OEB including taking a lead role in the design of IESO fees, the development of evidence and the preparation of related submissions to the OEB, providing recommendations as required to the Senior Manager, Regulatory Affairs
• Conduct analyses and assess risks and uncertainties around IESO revenues and fees and recommend actions to mitigate these risks

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: Senior