Director, Operational Readiness

Hydrostor; Toronto; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary Bonus

Paid Vacation

Medical, Dental & Vision Benefits

RRSP Match

Employee Stock Option Plan

Job summary

Hydrostor, a leading energy storage company, is seeking a Director of Operations & Maintenance to lead the O&M function across North America, starting with Willow Rock. The role focuses on building a high‑performing team, achieving safe, reliable, and cost‑effective operations, and expanding to additional assets.

The position requires 10–15 years of O&M leadership, grid experience in North America, and strong contract management skills to drive performance, compliance, and continuous improvement

Qualifications

• 10–15 years of O&M leadership in utility-scale energy or renewables.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, or related field.
• Proven track record leading O&M teams and contractors on large infrastructure projects.
• Experience with grid-connected facilities in North America (CAISO, ERCOT, IESO).
• Strong commercial and contract management, including LTSAs and service-level agreements.
• Deep understanding of North American environmental, safety, and regulatory compliance frameworks.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; stakeholder engagement.
• Data-driven, systems-oriented mindset for reliability.
• Ability to lead through ambiguity and shape Hydrostor’s operational future.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and execution of North America O&M strategy and plans.
• Oversee Willow Rock O&M implementation, staffing, and asset management.
• Manage outsourced O&M services and LTSA agreements.
• Establish training and competency frameworks for commissioning and operations.
• Monitor KPIs, analyze data, and drive continuous improvement.
• Ensure safety, environmental compliance, and regulatory readiness.

Skills

O&M leadership

Contract management

Stakeholder engagement

Data-driven mindset

Regulatory compliance

Ambiguity leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/Operations Management

Job description

Title: Director, Operations & Maintenance

Location: Toronto, ON – Hybrid (3+ days/week in office)

Job Type: Full-Time

Travel Requirement: ~25%

Position Type: Backfill

Are you ready to shape the future grid? Hydrostor, a leading energy storage, technology and infrastructure company dedicated to developing utility‑scale, long‑duration energy storage solutions, is seeking a Director of Operations and Maintenance to join our team in Toronto. We’re supporting the development of a more resilient electricity grid and invite you to be at the forefront of this work!

Why Hydrostor?

Our cutting‑edge A‑CAES technology is uniquely poised to revolutionize the energy landscape. Join us as we lead the way in shaping a reliable and secure energy future.

Your Mission

We are seeking a highly experienced and motivated leader for the role of Director, Operations & Maintenance (North America) to lead the development and execution of Hydrostor’s O&M function. This role will be instrumental in establishing operational readiness, ensuring safe, reliable, and cost‑effective operations, and building a high‑performing team to support our growing North American portfolio.

The initial priority for this role will be to support the successful construction, commissioning, and transition to operations of the Willow Rock facility—building out the Operations, Maintenance, and Asset Management functions from the ground up to enable a seamless start‑up and long‑term performance. As Willow Rock moves into operations, this leader will expand their scope to support additional assets, including Quinte and future projects, scaling the O&M model, systems, and team to ensure consistent excellence across the fleet.

Your Day-to-Day Adventures

Operations and Maintenance Development

• Develop and implement long‑term O&M strategies aligned with Hydrostor’s business goals and contractual obligations in the North American energy market.
• Build detailed O&M plans for the Willow Rock project, including procedures, schedules, staffing, and resource planning.
• Design and implement asset management strategies and systems for performance tracking and preventative maintenance.
• Support the integration of market participation and compliance requirements in alignment with Independent System Operators (e.g., CAISO, ERCOT, etc.).

Outsourcing and Contractor Management

• Lead the procurement and management of outsourced O&M services in alignment with Hydrostor’s standards, safety requirements, and commercial agreements.
• Oversee implementation of Long‑Term Service Agreements (LTSAs) with OEMs and key technology partners.
• Define, monitor, and report on KPIs for outsourced vendors, ensuring continuous performance improvement.
• Manage contractor onboarding, performance evaluations, and interface coordination.

Operational Readiness and Excellence

• Establish training and competency frameworks to ensure operational staff are well‑prepared for commissioning and day‑to‑day operations.
• Analyze operational data to drive insights, improve efficiency, and mitigate risks.
• Ensure safe, reliable operation of A‑CAES systems in line with North American safety and environmental regulations.
• Oversee spare parts strategies, inventory management, and procurement for efficient long‑term operations.

Performance Monitoring and Reporting

• Develop performance metrics for operations aligned with project agreements, ISO requirements, and internal targets.
• Track and report on key indicators such as availability, reliability, and efficiency.
• Stay abreast of industry trends and innovations to inform continuous improvement.
• Prepare and present regular performance and readiness reports to leadership and stakeholders.

Regulatory Compliance and Safety

• Ensure full compliance with federal, state/provincial, and local safety and environmental regulations.
• Build and oversee compliance programs, policies, and training.
• Serve as the main point of contact for regulatory agencies and inspections.

Project Interface and Transition to Operations

• Provide operational input during engineering and construction phases of the Willow Rock project.
• Collaborate with development, engineering, and project execution teams to ensure smooth handoff from construction to commercial operations.
• Champion a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and operational discipline.
• Plan for future staffing, systems, and procedures to support scale‑up across North America.

Who You Are

You are a mission‑driven, results‑oriented leader passionate about operational excellence in the energy sector. You thrive in startup‑to‑operational environments, enjoy building systems from the ground up, and are motivated by the opportunity to bring cutting‑edge clean energy infrastructure online and can lead diverse teams and contractors through complex and high‑impact projects.

What You Bring

• 10 - 15 years of O&M leadership experience in utility‑scale energy generation, renewable energy, or oil & gas operations.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, or a related technical discipline.
• Proven track record leading O&M teams and contractors on complex, large‑scale infrastructure projects.
• Experience with grid‑connected facilities, preferably in North America (e.g., CAISO, ERCOT, IESO).
• Strong commercial and contract management capabilities, including experience managing LTSAs and service‑level agreements.
• Deep understanding of North American environmental, safety, and regulatory compliance frameworks.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; proven ability to engage and influence stakeholders at all levels.
• A data‑driven, systems‑oriented mindset with a passion for continuous improvement and reliability.
• Ability to lead through ambiguity and help shape Hydrostor’s operational future.
• Discretionary Bonus
• Paid Vacation Time
• Medical, Dental and Vision Benefits
• RRSP Program – with a match!
• Employee Share Option Plan

Equal Opportunity Employer

At Hydrostor, we know that fostering an inclusive workplace, which values diversity, inclusion, and belonging is paramount to our success.

To fulfill our mission, our goal is to attract people who come from all backgrounds and walks of life, who bring diverse perspectives with wide‑ranging experiences, and who share in our common passion to drive innovation and change the global energy landscape.

Hydrostor proudly embraces the principles of equal opportunity and inclusion. We are committed to providing opportunities for all employees and candidates. We ensure that all qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, creed, colour, religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, marital status, parent, pregnancy, citizenship status, veteran status, disability, or any other protected status protected by applicable law.

Hydrostor is committed to making our application and interview process accessible to everyone, and we encourage applications from people with disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodation at any stage, please contact us at [e-mail]. In your application, we welcome you to specify your preferred pronouns (e.g. she/her/hers, he/him/his, they/them/theirs, etc.).

Use of Artificial Intelligence

Hydrostor does not use Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to screen, assess, or select candidates during the recruitment or interview process.