Chief Operating Officer and Vice-President, Markets and Reliability – Independent Electricity System Operator

Location: Greater Toronto Area

The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) works at the heart of Ontario’s power system to ensure that all Ontarians have access to affordable and reliable electricity – where and when they need it. This is acheived by:

▪       balancing the supply of and demand for electricity in Ontario in real-time and directing its flow across the province’s transmission lines

▪       planning for the province’s near and long-term energy needs and securing sources of supply to meet those needs

▪       overseeing the wholesale electricity market where the market price of electricity is set

▪       fostering the development of a conservation culture in the province through programs such as Save on Energy

This is an exciting and transformative time in the electricity sector. During the next five years, electricity demand in Ontario will increase significantly as a result of changes in carbon policy, the electrification of industry, increased reliance on electricity for transportation and home heating, and rapid economic development. While demand is growing, the Pickering nuclear plant will be retired mid-decade. New generation capacity must therefore be developed and brought on-line to close the gap. The variety of new generators is likely to change the IESO’s Operations environment.

Due to the upcoming retirement of its incumbent COO, the IESO is seeking its next Chief Operating Officer and Vice-President, Markets and Reliability to join the team.  With electricity demand expected to double as the focus on electrification and decarbonisation accelerates, this position is vitally important to all of Ontario and to the North American power grid.

The COO has overall responsibility for the System Reliability and Market Operations business unit, an operating budget of $30 million and a staff of approximately 190 people. In addition to being a key member of the IESO’s Executive Leadership Team and a member of the councils that operate the North American grid, this position provides executive direction to the real-time operation of the IESO-controlled grid, the safe, reliable and efficient operation of the IESO administered markets, and emergency preparedness, planning and response for the Province of Ontario’s electricity sector.

A well-qualified candidate will bring a combination of executive leadership experience and technical knowledge that would be highly credible in the complex energy sector and the world of power systems and/or electricity markets. A reputation for being an inclusive leader, and inspiring and galvanizing a large team of highly-skilled operators and engineers during a time of significant change and transition is essential. An engineering background, while not a requirement, would be an asset.

To explore this highly regarded, impactful, and widely valued position , please contact Ron Robertson (rrobertson@boyden.com),  Renée Young (ryoung@boyden.com) or Ron Burkholder (rburkholder@boyden.com).