Commercial Specialist

AESO; Edmonton; Hybrid; CAD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking organization dedicated to transforming the Alberta electricity market. As a Commercial Specialist, you will play a key role in managing complex contracts and fostering relationships with diverse stakeholders. This position offers the opportunity to lead negotiations, analyze commercial issues, and implement innovative processes that enhance contract management. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams, ensuring that the organization meets its contractual obligations while contributing to the transition towards net-zero emissions. If you thrive in a dynamic environment and are passionate about making a difference, this role is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• 7-10 years' experience in the electricity industry focusing on complex commercial contracts.
• Knowledge of the Alberta electricity market and its operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead negotiations and manage contracts with external stakeholders.
• Develop and implement new processes for contract management.

Skills

Commercial Negotiation

Contract Management

Stakeholder Communication

Strategic Development

Project Management

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Master's Degree

Tools

Contract Management Software

Project Management Tools

Job description

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 innovative, energetic, and curious professional to join the Commercial Management team. Our team is accountable for managing a diverse portfolio of commercial contacts and establishing and maintaining excellent customer relationships from contract execution through the contract lifecycle. The current portfolio includes ancillary services, which keep the transmission system running reliably and securely, the Renewable Electricity Program, which provides affordable new renewable electricity generation, and the Fort McMurray West 500 kV Transmission Project, critical transmission infrastructure running from Wabamun to Fort McMurray.

The Commercial Specialist is a critical member of the team, responsible for the day-to-day management of the contracts. You will work with external stakeholders to build and maintain productive working relationships in managing contracts, and work closely with members of the Markets department, Legal and Regulatory Affairs, and other departments within the AESO to ensure contractual obligations are met. You will also participate in broader market-related initiatives, such as the critical work required to enable the transformation of the grid towards net-zero emissions.

Key accountabilities of the role:

Develop commercial negotiating strategies and lead bilateral negotiations with sophisticated counterparties.

Analyze commercial issues, risks, and claims to determine impact to the organization, provide recommendations for resolution, and implement solutions.

Establish and maintain critical internal and external relationships.

Become a key internal resource in understanding commercial agreements and relevant commercial and technical milestones.

Lead internal cross functional teams (e.g., finance, legal, operations, procurement etc.) to discuss, analyze and resolve commercial matters. Lead, where appropriate, due diligence activities that are necessary to resolve contractual issues that may arise.

Prepare and draft detailed contract amendments, correspondence, and documentation including meeting minutes, decision items and briefing notes, with the assistance of AESO Legal for internal and external stakeholders.

Provide commercial subject-matter expertise to support major, complex competitive procurements and activities while influencing internal cross-functional discussions related to product and contract design.

Effectively implement projects awarded through various procurements, including working with stakeholders on all deliverables and project milestones.

Develop and implement new processes, process workflows and governance (internal approval) structures to continuously improve the management of agreements.

Support the education, training and roll-out of newly developed processes to required working groups within the AESO.

Personal attributes to thrive in this role and team:

You work well in a program and project-based environment; embrace change, pivot, and adapt with ease.

You appreciate strategic development, establishing and maintaining relationships, contract development and negotiations.

You enjoy working in a team of bright professionals and participating in lively debates.

You have high personal leadership and intuitively place attention on priorities and value-add items.

You are comfortable with taking an informal lead role and influencing across cross-functional teams.

You find satisfaction in analyzing complex agreements and issues and have a strength in delivering research and recommendations in a compelling manner.

A combination of these experiences and qualities will support your success in this role:

7-10 years' experience working in the electricity industry or a role with a focus on managing or developing complex commercial contracts.

Knowledge of the Alberta electricity market and how it operates.

Experience with program and project-based work with the ability to document and implement new business processes to support contract management.

Experience leading internal teams and influencing others to achieve results.

Ability to present detailed analysis, research and recommendations to team members and management.

Experience with developing strategy, drafting contracts, and managing, stakeholder communications and negotiations.

Ability to draft targeted, strategic communications and contract amendments for internal and external stakeholders.

#LI-Hybrid

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. By submitting your personal information to the AESO for the purpose of pursuing employment with the AESO, you hereby consent to the collection, use and disclosure of your personal information by the AESO, in accordance with the provisions of theFreedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act of Alberta, as amended from time to time.

About the company

The Alberta Electric System Operator,, is a not-for-profit entity responsible for the planning and operation of the Alberta Interconnected Electric System in a "safe, reliable, and economical" manner.