Advisor Government Affairs

Independent Electricity System Operator; Toronto; On-site; CAD 111,000 - 159,000; Full time

Job summary

Independent Electricity System Operator in Toronto, Ontario, is seeking a Senior Government Affairs Manager to lead government relations, policy analysis and strategic engagement to advance IESO objectives.

The role requires a BA/BS, 8–10 years experience incl. government affairs, excellent communication and negotiation skills, and the ability to build consensus across diverse stakeholders. You will work in a unionized setting within Corporate Relations, Engagement and Strategy.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree (e.g. BA, BSc)
• The education required to complete the responsibilities associated with the position is typically obtained through 4 years of university training
• The minimum level of experience for the incumbent to perform at a satisfactory level of proficiency is 8-10 years including the period of adjustment on the job itself.
• Demonstrated organizational and facilitation skills
• Evidence of communication, negotiation and presentation skills to present complex results in an understandable fashion
• Demonstrated ability to work well within a team environment where different opinions and perspectives have to be managed
• Proven track record of developing trust, mutual respect and cooperative working relationships
• Exemplifies comprehensive appreciation of, and strong personal commitment to, customer needs and corporate objectives
• A strong commitment to continuous improvement principles
• Demonstrates strong analytical and reasoning skills to understand business processes and risks, plan work programs, execute work programs, make observations and recommendations for improvement

Responsibilities

• Manage ongoing relationships between the IESO and government with the Manager and the Director
• Meet/communicate/confer with senior staff from various business units on issues that affect IESO business and legislative objectives
• Advocate IESO business objectives before appropriate government staff using in-person meetings and written material
• Collaborate with internal staff, government staff, and key industry players on the development and implementation of initiatives
• Work with various internal and external personnel to resolve problems of strategy and influence others to a course of action
• Provide professional guidance and support to senior staff in identifying trends, risks, and actions to meet objectives
• Research existing policies and articulate findings to IESO employees using meetings and regulations
• Perform other duties as required

Skills

Relationship management

Policy advocacy

Communication

Negotiation

Team collaboration

Analytical thinking

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor's Degree (BA/BSc)

4 years university training

Job description

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Business Unit:Corporate Relations, Engagement and Strategy

Grade/Band: MP4

Shift Work: No

Vacancies: up to 1

Step 1: $111,072 to Step 10: $158,704

The successful candidate will be placed at the appropriate step within the salary grade/band, based on relevant years of experience and other applicable considerations.

The IESO is committed to ensuring Ontario’s electricity system meets the province’s needs today and into the future. We are charged with purpose, delivering reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity for homes, businesses, and communities across the province. We are energized to grow, embracing opportunities to shape the future of a dynamic and evolving energy sector while advancing our careers. We are powered by teamwork, supported by diverse and passionate colleagues who foster respect, celebrate successes, and thrive on shared achievements. At the IESO, it’s not just what we do—it’s who we are!

Who we are

Our central role includes managing the provincial power grid in real-time, overseeing and evolving Ontario’s electricity market, engaging with government, municipalities and Indigenous communities, and planning for Ontario’s future electricity needs. Our employees play a key role in driving grid innovation, protecting the system from threats, advancing the province’s energy conservation programs, and forecasting and procuring the electricity resources we’ll need in the decades to come.

This is a unionized position that falls within the Government Affairs team within Corporate Relations, Engagement and Strategy business unit.

What makes this role exciting

The energy sector is rapidly evolving, offering exciting new opportunities for those who want to make a difference.

The successful candidate will act as a key account manager with government on IESO matters. Collaborate with senior internal staff, key industry players, and senior government staff around the development and implementation of initiatives. Assist in the development and implement strategic direction and government engagement plans for the IESO to ensure business strategies and legislative objectives are met. Maintain knowledge of industry developments that could be of interest to the IESO. Identify and assess new initiatives and opportunities to the IESO corporate and legislative objectives. Prepare technical reports and analysis of current and future energy policy. Analyze and identify future policy developments and issues, related to potential IESO business needs and concerns.

What you’ll do

In this role, you’ll make a meaningful impact by contributing to the IESO team and supporting the electricity needs of the province through:

• Manage ongoing relationships between the IESO and government with the Manager and the Director.
• Meet/communicate/confer with senior staff from various business units on issues that affect IESO business and legislative objectives and the current policy/legislative/regulatory climate in Ontario to assist in the development of and implementation of strategies and action plans using meetings or written correspondence, while relying on legislative policies, procedures, and protocols as well as an understanding of the policy drivers.
• Advocate IESO business objectives before appropriate government staff using in-person meetings, oral/written material, relying on superior ability to write clearly and concisely, a mastery of legislative and regulatory policies, procedures, and protocols, an understanding of the IESO’s business objectives, and a keen ability to gain consensus among diverse groups to meet the company’s business plan and legislative objectives.
• Collaborate with internal staff, government staff, and key industry players on the development and implementation of initiatives.
• Work with various internal and external personnel to resolve problems of strategy where differences of opinion may exist and influence others to a course of action suitable to the IESO’s corporate objectives.
• Provide professional guidance and support to senior staff in identifying trends, risks, uncertainties, and actions or strategies required to ensure business plan objectives are met.
• Research existing policies, laws and articulate orally or in writing to IESO employees using
  meetings, written correspondence, and existing regulations/statutes and relying on superior researchability and a mastery of applicable policies, procedures, and protocols.
• Perform other duties as required.

In a typical day, you willmanage and strengthen relationships between the IESO and government stakeholders, working closely with leadership to support organizational and legislative priorities. You will engage with senior internal and external stakeholders to assess policy, legislative, and regulatory developments, helping to shape strategies and action plans that align with business objectives. You will advocate for IESO interests through meetings, briefings, and written communications, building consensus and influencing decision-making across government and industry groups. Collaboration is a key part of the role, as you will work with internal teams, government representatives, and industry partners to advance initiatives and resolve strategic challenges. You will also provide guidance on emerging trends, risks, and policy developments, conducting research and communicating insights to support informed decision-making and the achievement of business plan objectives.

Role Requirements

Our team consists of experts from diverse backgrounds, each bringing their unique perspectives and skills.
To succeed in this role, you’ll need:

• Bachelor's Degree (e.g. BA, BSc)
• The education required to complete the responsibilities associated with the position is typically obtained through 4 years of university training
• The minimum level of experience for the incumbent to perform at a satisfactory level of proficiency is 8-10 years including the period of adjustment on the job itself.
• Demonstrated organizational and facilitation skills
  
• Evidence of communication, negotiation and presentation skills to present complex results in anunderstandable fashion, and to prepare effective reports and presentations;
  
• Demonstrated ability to work well within a team environment where different opinions andperspectives have to be managed, negotiated, and resolved diplomatically;
  
• Proven track record of developing trust, mutual respect and co-operative working relationships;
  
• Exemplifies comprehensive appreciation of, and strong personal commitment to, customer needsand corporate objectives;
  
• A strong commitment to continuous improvement principles;
  
• Demonstrates strong analytical and reasoning skills to understand business processes and risks,plan work programs, execute work programs, make observations and recommendations forimprovement.

How We Support You

From a comprehensive total rewards program to dynamic learning and development opportunities—including job rotations to broaden your expertise—we empower you to define and shape your own success. When you join the IESO, here’s what you can expect:

• Best-in-class benefits and long-term support in the form of a defined benefit pension plan.
• Work in a dynamic and evolving sector that offers exciting opportunities and the chance to explore new career paths.
• Leadership that values meaningful discussions, welcomes feedback, and prioritizes career development.
• A strong, inclusive culture and a collaborative team environment with a shared passion for impactful work.
• Compensation packages that are regularly reviewed to remain competitive and to best accommodate the diverse needs of our employees.

Deadline

November 4, 2026. For future reference, please save a copy of the job posting as it will no longer be available once the posting closes.

Thank you for your interest in a career at the IESO. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. Please note that the successful candidate must be legally eligible to work in Canada and will be subject to applicable background checks.

IESO will not conduct interviews or offer positions via online, text, chat or social media platforms. We will not gather personal information directly from candidates or potential candidates. Selected candidates will work with our Talent Acquisition team to ensure their application is processed.

The IESO currently has a 3-day in-office work week for applicable roles. Over the course of 2026, the IESO will advance plans to acquire additional office space to accommodate more in-office time. While the timeline for moving to a full 5-day in-office model has not yet been established, we are committed to keeping employees and candidates informed as plans progress and give them as much advance notice as possible to prepare for any changes.

We believe in opportunities for everyone.

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’re proud to say we’ve been recognized as a supportive, inclusive employer.