Manager, System Planning

AESO; Calgary; Hybrid; CAD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work environment

Health and dental benefits

Defined contribution pension

Paid vacation & flex time

Learning & development opportunities

Job summary

The Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) is recruiting a senior leader to direct the System Planning team. You will oversee transmission system planning, ensure ARS and ISO compliance, and lead critical infrastructure projects across Alberta.

In this role you will guide planning processes, manage budgets, and collaborate with stakeholders to deliver long-term grid improvements. A strong engineering background and 15+ years in the electricity sector are expected, with a family of benefits and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or related field.
• Post-graduate degree (M.Eng., M.Sc., or Ph.D.) preferred.
• Registered Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) with APEGA (or able to register).

Responsibilities

• Lead the System Planning team, including workforce planning, budgeting, and policy alignment.
• Share accountability for delivering the Long-Term Transmission Plan (LTP).
• Ensure compliance with ARS, ISO Rules, and planning requirements.
• Oversee transmission planning projects, including studies for AUC applications and Need Identification Documents.
• Develop and enhance planning processes, procedures, and methodologies.
• Adapt planning practices to evolving policy, market design, and tariff requirements.
• Collaborate across the AESO to support customer connections and strategic initiatives.
• Provide technical leadership, oversight, and key decision-making support.
• Foster employee development through coaching and training.
• Represent the AESO in regulatory proceedings and stakeholder forums.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Stakeholder collaboration

Communication

Analytical thinking

Project management

Team management

Regulatory knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering

Post-graduate degree preferred

Registered P.Eng. with APEGA

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

Reporting to the Director, Grid Planning, the Manager, System Planning leads a team of engineers responsible for transmission system planning, reliability standards compliance, and developing transmission infrastructure projects across Alberta. In this strategic leadership role, you will provide technical oversight, drive planning processes and methodologies, and support the delivery of critical transmission initiatives.

Working closely with a parallel System Planning team, you collaborate to balance workload, share resources, and deliver Alberta’s most significant transmission projects. The role also shares accountability for the AESO’s Long-Term Transmission Plan (LTP) and the evidence required to demonstrate compliance with Alberta Reliability Standards (ARS).

This full-time opportunity offers a competitive salary. 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.

Accountabilities:

• Lead the System Planning team, including workforce planning, budgeting, and alignment with corporate policies.
• Share accountability for delivering the LTP.
• Ensure compliance with ARS, ISO Rules, and transmission planning requirements.
• Oversee transmission planning projects, including engineering and economic studies that support AUC applications and Need Identification Documents.
• Develop, maintain, and enhance planning processes, procedures, and methodologies.
• Adapt planning practices to evolving policy, market design, and tariff requirements.
• Collaborate across the AESO to support customer connections and strategic initiatives.
• Provide technical leadership, oversight, and key decision-making support.
• Foster employee development through coaching, training, and career growth opportunities.
• Represent the AESO in regulatory proceedings, stakeholder engagements, and industry forums.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• Post-graduate degree (M.Eng., M.Sc., or Ph.D.) preferred.
• Registered Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) with APEGA (or able to register).

Experience:

• Proven leadership experience with an ability to develop high-performing teams.
• 15+ years of experience in the electricity industry, with transmission planning experience considered an asset.
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to make sound decisions in complex and uncertain environments.
• An inclusive and emotionally intelligent leader who demonstrates authenticity, self-awareness, and respect in their interactions with others.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey complex technical concepts to a variety of audiences.
• Strong relationship-building skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with stakeholders across the electricity industry.
• Knowledge of Alberta’s electricity industry framework, including EUA, Transmission Regulation, ARS, and ISO Rules & Tariff.
• Technical expertise in transmission system planning and power system analysis, with experience in areas such as system studies, modeling, simulation, and emerging grid technologies.
• Broad understanding of related disciplines, including electricity markets, economics, forecasting, data analytics, asset management, and transmission infrastructure development.

Application deadline: October 28, 2026

#LI-Hybrid

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.