Director, Compliance

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, Finance, the Director, Compliance is accountable for leading a team of members who are responsible for fulfilling the AESO's external compliance monitoring and audit mandate and managing the AESO's Internal Compliance Program to support alignment with the AESO's responsibilities as set out in applicable legislation.

As a leader within the organization, as well as primary point of contact for external agencies within Alberta and the United States, the Director, Compliance must champion a culture of compliance, facilitate effective cross-functional coordination of duties and be adept at developing highly collaborative relationships.

Key accountabilities include:

• Work collaboratively with all AESO departments to execute organizational and strategic priorities, including the Corporate Objectives and Key Results.
• Set the vision and direction of the Compliance function to enable the establishment and evolution of new and existing programs through innovative solutions that balance the public interest, compliance mandate and stakeholder expectations.
• Lead a team of leaders and professionals overseeing complex and cross-functional project execution.
• Manage, coach, and develop team members.
• Effectively manage external consultants and resources when required.
• Oversee the existing compliance monitoring programs for both Alberta Reliability Standards and ISO rules functions and implement improvements on an ongoing basis to ensure processes are streamlined, regulatory burden is minimized, resources are maximized, and the use of technology is optimized.
• Oversee the coordination of and actively participate in AESO-focused audits and self-report activities.
• Represent the Compliance department on internal committees and governance bodies groups (e.g., Data Governance Council, WAVE-C, ARS Governance Team)
• Lead the collaboration effort regarding compliance-related matters with fellow agencies.
• Engage with external stakeholders with respect to compliance monitoring activities (e.g., audit).
• Advocate necessary actions and changes to ensure achievement of the objectives of the external compliance and ICP, including the identification of areas of vulnerability and risk.
• Engage with NERC and WECC to ensure policy alignment as necessary and appropriate.
• Provide a strong communication platform to advance and promote a culture of compliance; heightened awareness of the corporate commitment to compliance in daily activities; and improved understanding of compliance issues, and policies and procedures. This includes a detailed training program.
• Serve as the conduit to external parties on internal and external compliance related matters (e.g., external compliance monitor - WECC, investigations - MSA, penalties - AUC) and ensure consistent AESO messaging and appropriate actions.
• Oversee activities related to preparing for and facilitating audits of the AESO in relation to its compliance with Alberta reliability standards.
• Prepared board decision and information items
• Provide strategic and practical advice to executive leadership on compliance matters.
• Manage department budget, including planning, forecasting, and spending.
• Provide necessary guidance and coaching to management team to ensure strong leadership, quality decisions, defensible program execution, and effective relationship management.

Qualities to support your success in this role:

• You thrive in a fast-paced, challenging, and dynamic environment and are looking for an opportunity to embark on transformative industry change.
• You have experiences leading diverse teams and have a proven track record of leading a team of professionals through change, proven strategic thinking, and building great cross-functional teams including inspiring, attracting, selecting, developing, and retaining top talent.
• You like working in a diverse atmosphere - our team celebrates our colleagues' varied backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.
• You embrace change and pivot and adapt with ease.
• You have a curious mind and appreciate opportunities to broaden your skill set.
• Your superior time management, presentation and prioritization skills show your strong commitment to meeting deadlines and providing sound judgement calls.
• You demonstrate initiative and skills in communication and negotiation.

Education and skills required for this role:

• An Undergraduate degree in Engineering, Commerce, Finance, Public Administration, Law.
• Preferably, a relevant master's degree, designation, or industry certification, however, extensive experience may be consiered in lieu.
• Minimum 10 years in a managerial role.
• Extensive experience, knowledge and understanding of the Alberta deregulated electricity market. Good understanding of the processes in the industry - wholesale settlement processes, retailer billing processes, and wire owner billing processes, regulation, and code management processes.
• Stakeholder management experience to effectively interact with diverse industry stakeholder groups at a business and policy level. Experience effectively consulting and interacting with government and other regulatory bodies at the policy development level.
• Direct experience in the development of corporate programs and demonstration of the ability to influence and gain support from executive teams, particularly as it relates to execution of significant corporate projects.
• Management experience required to positively direct and manage team resources effectively, as well as to manage complex issues and initiatives effectively.

Application deadline: June 12, 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.