Advisor Resource Acquisition

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

Job summary

Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) is seeking an Advisor, Resource Acquisition to shape procurement mechanisms and policy considerations for Ontario’s electricity resources. You will support competitive procurements, including energy and capacity services, with emphasis on both technical and commercial aspects.

The role requires extensive collaboration with internal teams and external consultants, managing complex schedules and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to work with cross-functional project teams and external consultants.
• Experience handling multiple workstreams, schedules, and competing priorities.

Responsibilities

• Analyze procurement and policy issues related to resource acquisition and market design.
• Lead procurement design, process development, and contract negotiations with stakeholders.
• Support program administration, evaluation tools, and contract management to ensure compliance.

Skills

Cross-functional teamwork

Project management

Communication

Analytical thinking

Regulatory awareness

Negotiation

Strategic thinking

Time management

Education

University degree in engineering, economics, math or business

Job description

Select how often (in days) to receive an alert:

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 Power Systems Development 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 Advisor, Resource Acquisition will help develop qualitative and quantitative analysis to help shape the design, development and execution of Resource Adequacy mechanisms and broader sector evolution. This includes conducting both forward looking and ongoing analysis on the results, impacts and trends that emerge from and inform various acquisition mechanisms. The Advisor will advise on the technical, commercial, and policy considerations impacting electricity resource acquisition activities for the organization, with a focus on competitive procurements, including initiatives targeting energy and capacity supply services.

The technical and commercial elements involved in resource acquisition activities include: leading project scheduling; developing procurement process framework and structure; undertaking associated community and stakeholder engagements; launching and maintaining procurement projects and associated processes; project evaluation and selection; and contract negotiations. Procurements may include competitive bidding, auctions, standard offers and sole-source negotiations, among others. These responsibilities are conducted in the context of the commercial mandate of the IESO.

The Advisor will be expected to be familiar with infrastructure procurement practices and be knowledgeable about electricity generation, distribution, and transmission; electricity market design and operation, infrastructure project valuation and energy economics; electricity sector regulations and standards, as well as broader infrastructure procurement best practices.

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:

• Analysis -evaluate and solve technical and commercial issues associated with projects, including both procurement and policy initiatives
• Due Diligence - perform facility performance analysis (e.g., thermodynamic modelling), cost estimation (research, quotes, consultant reports), return analysis (financial modelling), and risk analysis (mitigate/contractually allocate risk)
• Procurement design - help oversee the design of procurement mechanisms, strategies and processes appropriate for the type of procurement (standard offer, auction, competitive RFP, negotiation) and the type of resource being sought
• Contract development - help lead the development of procurement documents, including program rules, request for proposals, and contracts. Help manage internal and external legal teams in drafting documents
• Procurement/program administration - implement procurement processes, ensuring that all obligations are fulfilled in accordance with procurement/contract requirements, culminating in successful execution of contracts, and, as needed, manage assigned contractual obligations
• Contract negotiations - undertake contract negotiations with counterparties, ensuring IESO and rate payer interests are upheld and IESO’s reputation and professionalism are maintained
• Support infrastructure - develop, manage, and enhance procurement initiative infrastructure, including proposal evaluation tools, prescribed forms and program specific website that will be used by the public to interact with IESO and as the main method of receiving program content.
• Stakeholder relations - internally with various business units (e.g., Planning, Regulatory Affairs, Legal Affairs, Markets, System Operations, Indigenous Relations and the Market Renewal Program team); externally with Government and its agencies, such as the Ministry of Energy, Northern Development and Mines, and with external stakeholders
• External Resources - as required, source, secure and manage the work of external consultants (e.g., legal, economic, / technical, auditing, etc.)
• Team Efforts - participate in project teams comprised of IESO staff and external staff, as required
• Remain flexible and available to assist with other projects within the Department or in other IESO Departments
• Perform other duties as required

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:

• Ability to work with cross-functional project teams, including internal staff and external consultants.
• Experience working with multiple workstreams, complex schedules, and competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to communicate complex technical and commercial concepts clearly to a variety of audiences
• Highly collaborative, adaptable, and comfortable working in a dynamic, evolving energy landscape.
• Self-motivated with a sense of ownership and commitment to delivering results
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills,
• Strategic mindset with the ability to align procurement decisions with organizational objectives, market needs, and policy direction.
• High level of judgment, professionalism, and accountability when working with commercially sensitive information.
• Experience developing and/or working with contracts related to complex energy or infrastructure facilities is an asset
• Familiarity with Ontario electricity sector regulations, policies, and standards, or the ability to quickly develop deep regulatory expertise.
• Experience working within or alongside a regulated electricity market environment is strongly preferred.

The knowledge required for the job is considered to be normally acquired through the successful completion of a 4-year university education or the equivalent in a science, engineering, economics, math or business discipline.

The minimum level of experience for the incumbent to perform at a satisfactory level of proficiency is 6-8 years including the period of adjustment on the job itself.

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 16, 2026. Fo r 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 is moving toward a five-day-per-week in-office work model to foster a highly collaborative culture where employees can build relationships, share expertise, and benefit from mentorship and professional growth opportunities.

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 …