Manager, Operational Readiness

The Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) is a not-for-profit organization tasked with the safe, long-term management of Canada’s used nuclear fuel inside a deep geological repository, in a manner that protects people and the environment for generations to come.

Founded in 2002, the NWMO has been guided for 20 years by a dedicated team of world-class scientists, engineers and Indigenous Knowledge Holders that are developing innovative and collaborative solutions for nuclear waste management. Canada’s plan will only proceed in an area with informed and willing hosts, where the municipality, First Nation and Métis communities, and others in the area are working together to implement it. The NWMO plans to select a site in 2024, and two areas remain in our site selection process: the Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation-Ignace area in northwestern Ontario and the Saugeen Ojibway Nation-South Bruce area in southern Ontario.

Manager, Operational Readiness

(Employment Status: Fulltime)

Position Location: Toronto Head Office – 22 St. Clair Avenue East

Job Summary:

Reporting to the Senior Director, Operations, this role is responsible for the leadership, strategic direction, and oversight of the NWMO’s operational and organizational transformation plans. The role will be responsible for developing the plans that are appropriate for the NWMO’s current phase, as well as designing the future state and implementation timelines as the NWMO progresses from pre-licensing, through regulatory approvals, construction and ultimately operations.

This role is responsible for developing organizational capabilities and change management strategies to ensure the NWMO has the appropriate resources, processes, and systems in place to be successful in the next phases of the Adaptive Phased Management(APM) program and other NWMO missions. Leadership and expertise will be applied to all aspects of the program, with a strong focus on the regulatory decision-making and construction phases of this multi-generational project.

Actively promotes and supports a strong safety culture within the NWMO to ensure Health, Safety, Security, Environment and Quality (HSSE&Q) requirements are met or exceeded.

• Provide strategic direction, leadership, and expertise to develop and oversee implementation of short- and long-term strategic organizational transformation strategies and plans. Provides advice and guidance to others involved in interconnected and cross project activities.
• Conduct gap assessments of current NWMO corporate systems and programs against the requirements of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) and work with Executives and senior leadership to develop risk-informed strategies and action plans to address gaps, graded to account for the various phases of the NWMO from current to that of an operating nuclear licensee.
• Provide leadership and guidance to facilitate the integration and execution of organizational transformation objectives and plans across the NWMO, and proactively address and mitigate conflict across various business lines.
• Interface with and engage in thought-partnership with variety of disciplines and business leaders (Human Resources, Labour Relations, Finance, Operations, Communications, Technical leaders, etc.) to:
  • Define and develop organizational capabilities to ensure the appropriate systems, tools, and processes.
  • Coordinate the organizational requirements to support technical scope developments.
  • Take on interim leadership roles to develop requirements and plans for emerging projects across a broad range of nuclear licensing, technical and business functions as needed to implement the NWMO’s organizational transformation initiatives.
  • Facilitate cross-organization dialogue and collaboration among leaders and subject matter experts to characterize complex issues, understand conflicting drivers, anticipate cross-organizational implications, define success criteria, and develop practical solutions for recommendation to leadership.
  • Implement effective change management and communication strategies that enhance change adoption within the organization.
  • Lead multi-disciplinary teams through a matrixed structure to meet objectives.
• Develop and manage processes to coordinate and oversee the delivery of organizational transformation plans and related projects, engaging with Executive sponsors and organizational transformation initiative leads from across the organization.
• Manage processes to identify, track, and manage both internal and external risks as it relates to organizational transformation. Working with team members, develop risk management, labour relation strategies and mitigation plans for Senior Leadership review and approval.
• Make business decisions that are financially responsible, accountable, justifiable, and defensible in accordance with the NWMO’s policies and procedures.
• Plan, evaluate, and improve the efficiency of business processes and procedures to enhance quality, efficiency, and output.
• Communicate with and present to a variety of internal stakeholders including NWMO leadership, management, and staff.
• Accountable for implementing the NWMO’s safety culture and ensuring activities to monitor and improve human performance are incorporated into all contracts/agreements.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

The ideal candidate will have the following skills and experience; however, those with lesser experience should not hesitate to apply.

• Must be capable of receiving “Secret” level security clearance referred to in the Standard on Security Screening issued by the Treasury Board of the Government of Canada.
• University degree in Science or Engineering.
• More than 10 years’ leadership experience in the nuclear sector in management or technical/project leadership roles.
• Experience developing and implementing procedural governance in a highly regulated industry (preferably nuclear).
• Experience working in an industrial, construction or operating plant environment (e.g., mining, field operations).
• Demonstrated capability to develop plans for the implementation of strategic projects and organizational change programs.
• Experience influencing leadership and stakeholders to meet organizational objectives.
• Experience leading multi-disciplinary teams, ideally through a matrix structure.
• Strong facilitation skills to effectively engage with stakeholders and team members.
• Asset: Experience in interfacing with government and regulatory agencies.
• Asset: Experience and knowledge of change management principles, methodologies, and tools.

The following skills and experience are considered assets:

• Dynamic leader: a team player who inspires confidence, credibility, and trust.
• Superior oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent planning and organizational skills.
• Excellent analytical and strategic skills, as well as good business judgment and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to influence others at all levels of the organization.
• Ability to lead and work as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Experience with incorporating Reconciliation and Indigenous knowledge into work processes would be considered an asset.
• Experience working with diverse teams in a social and technical environment.
• An understanding of, or the ability to learn both technical and social aspects of the APM program.
• Ability to exercise patience, tact, diplomacy, and discretion.
• Demonstrated experience with configuration and change management processes.
• Highly developed creativity and initiative to deal with unique and challenging organizational issues.
• Proven ability to manage projects within strict budget and timeline constraints.
• Proven ability to respond to frequently changing priorities.
• Working knowledge of Health & Safety regulations and legislature, including OHSA, WHMIS.

Must be eligible to work in Canada and must be able to meet security clearance requirements.

NWMO currently operates in a hybrid work model of 3 days in the office (Tuesdays being universal) and 2 days working from home.

We offer a competitive base salary and health care benefits and pension plan.