Program Manager, Large Load Connections
The Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) is responsible for the safe, reliable, and economic planning and operation of the Alberta Interconnected Electric System. We provide open and non-discriminatory access to Alberta’s interconnected power grid and also facilitate Alberta’s competitive wholesale electricity market. The AESO strives to foster an inclusive, diverse and equitable workplace where people feel respected and welcomed for who they are, together we deliver high performance and innovative results.
Job Description
If you are a current AESO employee or contractor, please view openings and apply through our internal site at Workday.
Reporting to the Vice President, Grid Reliability Projects and Planning. the Program Manager for Large Load Connections will lead development of strategic plans and initiatives related to the servicing of data centres and other large electrical loads, such as industrial facilities and municipalities. The role requires forward thinking, an in-depth understanding of the electric utility framework, exceptional ability to influence across an organization and problems solving ability to understand and determine how best to address immerging challenges and opportunities. This role also requires extensive coordination with both internal and external stakeholders, entities such as government agencies, large load customers, TFOs (Transmission facility owners), DFOs (Distribution facility owners) and generators and is expected to serve as an expert witness in relevant regulatory Commission proceedings/inquiries and represent the organization at technical industry stakeholder engagements session and conferences.
In addition, the Program Manager will coordinate with project teams on specific large load connection projects, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and be responsible for ensuring scalable business processes and succession planning.
Qualities to support your success in this role:
You have a strong business acumen and the ability to deliver quality results in a timely manner.
You have strong leadership and stakeholder management skills, with demonstrated ability to influence and negotiate across multiple levels and organizations.
You have a strong ability to develop scope of work and engage external consultants as needed.
You have strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a focus on data-driven decision making.
You have experience in succession planning, process optimization and capability building.
You are comfortable working in a matrix environment and influencing with or without direct authority across the organization.
You are seasoned in negotiation and facilitation skills. Adept at inviting different perspectives to engage in productive dialogue, skilled with managing healthy conflict resolution.
Key accountabilities include:
Develop and lead implementation of strategic plans for providing system access service to large loads, including data centers, industrial facilities, and municipalities. While ensuring alignment with organizational business goals and regulatory framework.
Collaborate internally to create and implement integrated plans and solutions.
Ensuring alignment with broader organizational goals, plans, and initiatives.
Collaborate with Grid Planning and Operations to evaluate the impact of large loads in the grid, ensuring that reliability is maintained as new loads are integrated.
Collaborate with Project Engineering and Standard teams to ensure proper engineering requirements and standards are in place.
Coordinate and share intelligence to inform AESOs Long-term Outlook and AESO Long-term Transmission Plan and Reliability Requirements Roadmap.
Coordinate with the Customer Project and Services team, ensuring alignment and seamless integration of processes and timely change management as needed.
Coordinate with the tariff design team, providing input and advice into related tariff modernization efforts.
Liaison with external stakeholders, including major large load customers, municipalities, government agencies, TFOs, DFOs, power generators ensuring regulatory requirements are met and external views (technical, regulatory, and economic needs) are understood and integrated into business decisions.
Engage with government bodies to advocate for AESO business positions in support of the integration of large loads. Represent the AESO as an expert witness in Commission lead processes.
Develop and document standardized processes and systems to enhance efficiency in large load management, ensuring reliable, sustainable and transferability.
Develop comprehensive succession plan, ensuring internal teams are prepared to continue managing large load connections and related business processes. Facilitate knowledge transfer and capacity building.
Establish OKRs and reporting systems to monitor progress, operational efficiency, and customer satisfaction. Providing regular updates to executive team, organization, and stakeholders.
Act as a witness in regulatory proceedings or inquiries involving large load connections.
Stay current on industry trends, regulatory changes, and technical advancements to ensure continuous improvement and innovation in the connection of large loads.
Represent the AESO in associated national and international committees. Stay up to date with similar initiatives in other jurisdictions and leverage those learnings as needed.
Education and skills required for this role:
Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Business Administration, or equivalent proven expert experience in the Alberta electric utility industry framework.
Minimum of 15 years of experience in the utility sector, with a broad understanding of Grid Planning and Operations, Regulatory, Government Policy, Tariff and Electricity Markets.
Proven experience working with external stakeholders, including government, TFOs, DFOs, generators and large load customers.
Experience acting as an expert witness or providing testimony in regulatory proceedings is desirable.
Application deadline: October 9, 2024
If you are contacted for a pre-screening and/or interview, please advise of any accommodation measures required to enable you to fully participate. Information received relating to accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially.
The Alberta Electric System Operator is unable to accept unsolicited agency resumes.
The Alberta Electric System Operator, and its members, officers, employees and agents (collectively, the "AESO") is committed to protecting personal information provided to it. When you submit your personal information to the AESO for the purpose of pursuing employment with the AESO, the collection, use and disclosure of personal information is in accordance with the provisions of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP Act) of Alberta.
As noted, the AESO is mandated to maintain the safe and reliable operations of the provincial power grid. As part of meeting its obligations, the AESO may require the successful candidate to undergo a criminal background check for the position. This collection of personal information for the purposes of a check will be conducted in accordance with Section 33 of the FOIP Act.