Senior Counsel

Independent Electricity System Operator; Toronto; On-site; CAD 130,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Defined benefit pension plan

Learning & development opportunities

Rotations within Legal team

Job summary

Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) in Ontario is seeking a talented lawyer to join its Legal team as Legal Counsel or Senior Counsel. The role focuses on strategic legal support across corporate, commercial, and regulatory matters within Ontario’s dynamic energy sector.

You will advise business leaders, manage external counsel, and contribute to governance, procurement, and regulatory initiatives while mentoring colleagues and shaping an in-house practice with real public impact.

Qualifications

• Membership in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario.
• Experience advising on strategic initiatives, major procurements, regulatory matters, governance, and enterprise-wide projects.

Responsibilities

• Advise on commercial, regulatory, governance, procurement, privacy, employment, and operational matters.
• Lead or support cross-functional matters with senior‑level stakeholder management.
• Manage external counsel and ensure cost control and service quality.
• Contribute to growth and development of the Legal team and processes.
• Draft, review, negotiate, and advise on a wide range of legal documents.

Skills

Commercial transactions and contracts

Procurement

Infrastructure/ project development

Regulatory/Administrative law

Privacy

Environmental law

Indigenous law

Corporate governance

Public-sector matters

Job description

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Business Unit:Legal Resources and Corporate Governance

Grade/Band: Band 4

Shift Work:

Senior Counsel Hiring Pay Range: $165,000 - $200,000

Legal Counsel Hiring Pay Range:$130,000 - $165,000

The successful placement within the range will depend on qualifications, relevant work 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.

At the centre of that transformation is our legal team.

Our lawyers work at the intersection of law, public policy, and energy transformation — advising on strategic initiatives, major procurements, regulatory matters, governance, and enterprise-wide projects. No two days are the same, and the work carries real public impact.

If you want challenging, varied work alongside exceptional colleagues, and the chance to build a broad and rewarding in‑house practice, we'd like to hear from you.

This is a non-unionized position that falls within the Legal Division of the Legal Resources and Corporate Governance 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 IESO is seeking a talented lawyer to join its Legal team as either Legal Counsel or Senior Counsel, depending on experience. Reporting to a Senior Manager, Legal, you will provide practical, business-focused legal advice on a wide range of complex and strategically important matters. You will work across corporate, commercial, and regulatory matters within one of Ontario's most dynamic sectors, helping shape decisions that affect millions of Ontarians.

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:

• Advise business leaders on commercial, regulatory, governance, procurement, privacy, employment, and operational matters, identifying risks early and recommending practical solutions.
• Support significant organizational initiatives, projects, and procurements from planning through implementation.
• Draft, review, negotiate, and advise on a wide range of commercial agreements and other legal documents.
• Lead or support complex, cross‑functional matters that require strategic thinking and senior‑level stakeholder management.
• Manage external counsel, ensuring quality, cost control, and customer service.
• Contribute to the continued growth and development of the Legal team, including mentoring colleagues and optimizing legal department functions and processes.

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:

• Membership in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario.
• Strong legal judgment and business acumen, with a proactive, solutions‑oriented approach.
• Excellent drafting, negotiation, and analytical skills, with a superior ability to articulate legal issues and advocate positions.
• Proven ability to build relationships and work effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong organizational, responsiveness, and time management skills.
• A minimum of 4 years (Legal Counsel) or 8 years (Senior Counsel) of post‑call experience gained in a leading law firm, sophisticated in‑house legal department, government, regulatory agency, or a combination of these environments.
• Experience in one or more of the following areas is preferred:
  • Commercial transactions and contracting
  • Procurement
  • Infrastructure, construction, or project development
  • Regulatory or administrative law
  • Privacy
  • Environmental law
  • Indigenous law
  • Corporate Governance
  • Public‑sector matters
• Experience in the energy sector is an asset, but not required. We welcome candidates from a broad range of legal backgrounds who are interested in applying their skills in a dynamic and evolving industry.

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

Open until filled. For future reference, please save a copy of the job posting as it will no longer be available once the posting closes.

Please note that the successful candidate must be legally eligible to work in Canada and will be subject to applicable background checks.

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.