Specialist Contracts

Independent Electricity System Operator

1d•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 is a unionized position that falls within the Legal Resources and Corporate Governance Business Unit. The energy sector is rapidly evolving, offering exciting new opportunities for those who want to make a difference. The Specialist, Contracts provides accurate, in-depth, value-added policy and commercial analysis for the design of contract management processes and the management of contracts for renewable electricity supply projects for the Small Renewables portfolio. As required, the Specialist, Contracts manages and is directly accountable for projects, as part of larger initiatives. The Specialist, Contracts provides analytical support and recommendations to ensure that contract management processes and documents are effective, efficient, expeditious, ethical, and provides the best possible value to the IESO, Ontario’s power system, and Ontario’s ratepayers.

Requirements

Undergraduate Degree in Business or Renewables is an asset
5+ years of progressive electricity industry experience which may include generation development
Project management and project scheduling experience with an emphasis on being a self-directed and highly motivated individual
Demonstrated ability to advance competing priorities in defined timeframes
Electricity industry – a solid grounding in legal, economic and/or technical aspects of electricity generation and conservation and demand management programs
Electricity generation – knowledge of the technical aspects of electricity generation from renewable sources, including wind, solar PV, biogas, and water.
Generation contracts – understanding of existing and future generation contracts and their associated documents such as Rules, including the rational and importance for each of the various provisions in the contracts
Counterparty focus – strong negotiation skills with a focus on problem solving; demonstrated ability to work with contract counterparties in a challenging environment
Works well in translating business requirements to resources (internal and external)
Ability to work effectively within a group and must be able to effectively coordinate with IESO staff and external stakeholders
Knowledge and ability to prepare audience specific presentations using PowerPoint and the creation of financial models Excel
Must be analytical and driven to improve processes and take initiative to highlight opportunities
Must be detail oriented and must be able to handle multiple priorities in a faced-paced environment
Communication – excellent oral, written and presentation skills are a must
Excellent people skills; experience working with and leading teams in a matrix environment is an asset
Ability to adapt and embrace change in a fast-paced, changing environment

Responsibilities

Contract Management Design: Assist, or lead projects, in the design of project management mechanisms and processes appropriate for the type of contract and the type of supply resource being contracted for.
Contract Administration: Manage contract processes, ensuring that all obligations are fulfilled in accordance with the contract requirements, culminating in successful commercial operation of facilities. Responsible for scheduling and coordinating timely completion of all associated milestones required for each contract.
Negotiation: Support Supervisor/Senior Manager/Director in contract negotiations with potential to lead negotiations for smaller projects as required. Assist in the development of negotiation principles, strategies and processes for existing projects/contracts.
Contract Development: Participate in the analysis and development of contracting terms and conditions for contract management documents, program rules, request for proposals, and supply contracts for renewable electricity. Provide input to internal and external legal teams in drafting documents. Advise on contract management issues.
Stakeholder Relations: Regularly provide customer assistance including those of escalated nature. Represent the IESO at meetings with proponents, maintaining positive relationships and seek feedback to enhance initiatives.
Compliance: Ensure Program compliance by ensuring Supplier representations, warranties, and covenants are upheld.
Contract Management System Design: Assist in the planning, analysis, design, implementation, testing and sustainment of updates to contract management information system.
Renewable Energy Procurements: Provide a contract management perspective to support the development and design of renewable energy procurements and lead the development of any downstream contract management processes
Ministerial Directives: Provide a contract management perspective to lead the fulfilment of Ministerial Directives which are issued from time-to-time.
LDC Relationships: Liaise with LDC representatives to ensure that contract management processes provide sufficient information to LDCs to ensure that contracts are settled in a timely and accurate manner.
Interface with others – internally with other IESO Departments; externally with Government and its other external stakeholders, such as but not limited to, the Ministry of Energy and Mines, LDCs, and industry groups.
Provide updates, reports and presentations to project team and senior management on a regular basis. As required, act as point of contact and issue expert in support of other IESO departments’ projects
Monitor sector evolution as it relates to issues affecting generation supply procurements and contracts
Source, secure and manage external staff (e.g., legal counsel, technical consultants) as required
Designing and producing reports with a high level of accuracy, routinely and on an ad hoc basis
Support resolution of major issues, particularly those that cross contracts or have broad ramifications
Supporting complex projects/issues within the Division, including from time-to-time those outside of Contract Management
Advising on methods and recommend changes in IESO Contract Management policies, procedures, standards, processes, and strategies
Demonstrate leadership and mentor, advise, and guide less experienced staff
Development and continual maintenance of standard procedures and internal document control
Implement processes, procedures and templates/documents to be used; and
Ensure consistent tools and methodologies are utilized and adhered to in all issues and where absent develop the necessary tools and make recommendations to improve processes/procedures to create consistency within the group
Other duties or responsibilities as may be assigned

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.

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