Career Opportunities: Senior Manager Public Relations (20022)

INDEPENDENT ELECTRICITY SYSTEM OPERATOR (IESO)

Why join us? 

You’ve got great skills. And you want to use them in an organization where you know what you do every day matters. We get that.
We also know that ensuring Ontarians have access to affordable and reliable power doesn’t happen by accident. So we give you the tools, flexibility and support you need to achieve your goals, and development opportunities to help you grow. You’ll thrive in a collaborative, team-based environment that values your unique skills and experiences – and recognizes that when you do better, we become even better too.  

Who we are 

The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) works at the centre of the province’s power system, ensuring Ontarians have access to reliable and cost-effective electricity when and where they need it. We operate the province’s electricity grid 24/7, design, run and oversee the wholesale electricity markets, and plan and prepare to meet Ontario’s electricity needs – now and into the future.

 

The Opportunity

The Senior Manager, Public Relations is responsible for developing, leading, and implementing a comprehensive public relations strategy for the IESO. Working at the heart of Ontario’s electricity system, the senior manager will lead a team of talented communications professionals, supporting the IESO’s work towards ensuring a reliable, affordable and sustainable electricity system, today and into the future. 
 

The Senior Manager will work with various lines of business, sector partners, communities, and media to support the successful launch of IESO programs and initiatives. This includes the procurement of new electricity infrastructure, energy efficiency programs, technical reports, and engagement processes. 
 

As a strategic leader, the senior manager is expected to provide guidance to the organization’s leadership team as the organization navigates a rapidly evolving energy sector. This includes providing guidance and strategies on how to strengthen the IESO’s reputation, manage issues and risks, and galvanize support with stakeholders. 

What You’ll Do

Responsibilities for this role include leading and managing the following functional areas: 

• Issues Management: Monitoring and anticipating issues that may arise both within the organization and external to the organization as well as developing the organization’s response to issues. 
• Media Relations: Managing media inquiries by liaising with subject matter experts and determining the organization’s response strategy. Developing media engagement strategies to ensure the IESO leverages its strong relationship with media to build support for IESO stories. 
• Editorial Services: Work with lines of business to ensure IESO reports are developed efficiently and effectively communicate their information to a broad audience. 
• Executive Speech Program: Develop and support executive communications including working with executives, conference organizers, and relevant business units to ensure IESO leaders are advancing IESO narratives and are positioned as thought leaders for the sector.
• Strategic Leadership: Provide thought leadership to the organization on how the organization’s decisions may impact the IESO’s public image and reputation. 
• Crisis Communications: Act as a leader and key communicator for the organization during critical and time sensitive issues. This includes ensuring there is a documented, robust, and practiced processes to guide the organizations actions during times of crisis.

The role requires the management of 7 to 10 staff through direct and indirect reports. This includes full responsibility for hiring and advancement, staff development, training, performance reviews, salary matters, all aspects of performance management, including dismissal, administering work programs and ensuring staff output effectively meet business needs and goals; ensuring quality, quantity, timeliness of work production to achieve business objectives.

What you need to succeed

• Knowledge and experience in media relations, speech writing and copy editing, and public relations
• Strong strategic thinker and relationship builder, able to build trust with senior leaders across the company and influence decisions even when presenting a challenging or opposing point of view
• Exceptional ability to identify risks to IESO’s strategic objectives  as well as IESO reputation and initiatives.  
• Proven success in managing relationships and corporate reputation through creating and delivering on communications and media relations strategies, plans and programs
• Experience in business strategy, managing teams, budgets and developing staff
• Exceptional writing and presentation skills
• Strong political acuity and understanding of risks and opportunities as they relate to the general public, media, and government audiences
• Media relations experience including as a key spokesperson and in crisis communications
• Technical and analytical knowledge and understanding of the energy industry – specifically energy systems, markets and energy management.
• Excellent analytical, problem solving, conceptual and forward thinking skills
• University degree or equivalent preferred
• 10+ years of experience in public relations or related fields

What’s in it for you

• A comprehensive total rewards program, including best-in-class benefits and a flexible workplace 
• A challenging, fast-paced and collaborative team environment, where your perspectives and experiences matter 
• Leaders who support your growth and success through regular feedback and coaching 
• The opportunity to work with some of the brightest minds in the industry 
   

Deadline: October 18, 2024 

For future reference, please ensure to save a copy of the job description as it will no longer be available once the posting closes.

At the IESO, we know that achieving great results depends on embracing diversity by attracting, developing and retaining people from a wide variety of backgrounds. We do this by ensuring our recruitment and advancement policies are fair and equitable, and by creating an accessible and inclusive environment – one that values every team member’s unique skills and experiences and ensures they have the support they need to achieve their potential. If you require accommodation during the recruitment process, please let us know. 

We thank you for your interest in a career at the IESO, but we will only contact those candidates selected for an interview. 

Note: The successful candidate must be eligible to work in Canada and will be subject to a background check.

The IESO offers a hybrid work model program to most of our employees, based on business needs. Individuals participating in the program can work an average of three days per week remotely within Ontario. It also offers three flex weeks when individuals can work remotely within Ontario . When working in the office, you will be located at our Toronto location.

Join our talent community

Sign up for talent community; stay in touch, find out about new opportunities – and discover how you can make a difference. Discover how we use our expertise and commitment to deliver reliable and affordable electricity to Ontario’s businesses and communities, and how we’re innovating to secure a stronger energy future for all Ontarians. Visit Careers at IESO and be sure to follow us on LinkedIn.

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