Program Manager, Market Participant Readiness

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

We are looking for an experienced Program Manager, Market Participant Readiness with a strong background in leading complex, cross functional initiatives to join our Markets team. Reporting to the Director, Markets, you will be accountable for ensuring that the AESO takes all action needed for market participant readiness.  This involves monitoring overall progress, coordinating the implementation of the market participant readiness strategy through the cross-functional initiatives being coordinated by the Transformation Management Office (TMO).  Working closely with initiatives leads and the TMO, the Program Manager ensures timely delivery of deliverables, identifies risks, resolves issues, and communicates project needs effectively to cross-functional teams and management.

This full-time opportunity offers a competitive salary, and a variable pay program. We also have paid vacation and flex time, health and dental benefits, mental health support, a defined contribution pension plan, and learning and development opportunities as part of your overall compensation package. We support a hybrid work environment, where the team is in the office on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Mondays and Fridays are flexible for where you work best.
Signs you will succeed and enjoy working in this team:

• You thrive in a fast-paced and dynamic environment and are looking for an opportunity to embark on transformative industry change
• You enjoy working in a team of bright professionals and participating in lively debates
• You embrace change and pivot and adapt with ease
• You like working in a diverse atmosphere – our team celebrates our colleagues’ varied backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives
• You can work with limited direction at a professional level of responsibility, independently and within a team environment

• Collaborate with market participant readiness initiative leads and project managers to ensure the development of scope, deliverables, resources, work plans, budgets, and timelines for market participant readiness initiatives
• Monitor execution of the overall market participant readiness strategy. Analyze, evaluate, and mitigate program issues and risks, working with cross-functional leads and TMO to resolve
• Develop and maintain overall market participant readiness program plan and coordinate with market participant readiness initiative leads to develop delivery roadmaps for key project/program deliverables
• Manage project interdependencies and risks across the program portfolio
• Develop and present oral and written reports defining plans, problems, and resolutions to appropriate management levels
• Build awareness and gain support for the program with market participant readiness initiative leads and other internal stakeholder and solicit input for improvement
• Liaise with the TMO on market participant readiness strategy and changes to execution of strategy. 
• Liaise with market participants to:

• Communicate market participant readiness strategy
• Identify gaps/issues in the market participant readiness strategy and propose adjustments
• Ensure identification of market participant needs for readiness are being captured in the strategy and the workplan for market participant readiness initiative leads

• Bachelor’s degree in one or more of the following fields:

• Economics
• Electrical Engineering
• Computer Science
• Information Technology
• Mathematics

• Project Management certifications (e.g., PMP, PRINCE2)
• 10+ years of project management experience, preferably in the electricity, energy, or utilities field.
• Technical knowledge relating to understanding ISO rules, wholesale electricity markets, and regulatory processes is an asset
• Leadership skills to motivate teams and resolve conflicts effectively
• Experience and knowledge of change management principles and methodologies to ensure stakeholder buy-in
• Experience in stakeholder management and engagement strategies is essential
• Experience managing multiple cross-functional projects to implement new and complex business lines
• Adaptability and resilience to respond to evolving priorities and timelines

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 Protection of Privacy Act (POPA) 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 4 of POPA.