VP, Centralized Operations

Colonial Group; Vaughan; On-site; CAD 180,000 - 320,000; Full time

Job summary

Alectra invites applications for the role of Vice President, Centralized Operations, responsible for the operation and performance of the electricity distribution system’s critical infrastructure, including control, substations, protection and control, reliability, and smart grid technologies.

As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, you will contribute to enterprise strategy, lead major initiatives, foster a high-performance culture, and advance safety, integrity, and customer service across

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field.
• Progressive leadership experience in utility/engineering environments.
• Experience with strategic planning and capital programs.
• Experience building relationships with regulators and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to enterprise strategy and lead operational priorities as part of the Senior Leadership Team.
• Provide strategic advice on operational and infrastructure matters to executive leadership.
• Oversee System Control, Stations Design and Construction, Protection & Control, and Reliability.
• Ensure 24/7 readiness for outages, emergency operations, and switching activities.
• Lead asset management, capital investments, and technology adoption (GIS, SCADA, ADMS).
• Foster customer-focused decisions and manage stakeholder relationships with regulators and municipalities.
• Develop and mentor leaders; drive workforce planning and DEI efforts.
• Oversee safety governance, compliance with OHSA/ESA and internal policies.
• Perform additional duties to advance operational objectives.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Cross-functional leadership

Stakeholder management

Change management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related

Professional Engineer Ontario (PEO) or OACETT in good standing (preferred)

Valid driver’s license

Job description

Are you a strategic and collaborative operations leader with a passion for safety, reliability, innovation, and customer service?

As Vice President, Centralized Operations, you will provide senior leadership for the operation and performance of the electricity distribution system's critical infrastructure, including system control, substations, protection and control, reliability, emergency preparedness, automation, and smart grid technologies. You will be responsible for ensuring the safe, reliable, and efficient delivery of electricity while advancing operational excellence, asset performance, customer satisfaction, and organizational growth.

As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, you will contribute to enterprise-wide strategy, lead complex operational initiatives, foster a high-performance and inclusive culture, and support the organization's commitment to safety, integrity, innovation, and exceptional customer service.

What you’ll do

Senior Leadership & Strategic Direction

• Contribute to the development and execution of the organization's strategic plan and operational priorities.
• Serve as a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, providing insight and guidance on operational, reliability, and infrastructure matters.
• Provide strategic advice and recommendations to the Senior Vice President, Network Operations on emerging risks, opportunities, and business priorities.
• Support Board and Committee reporting related to operational performance, reliability, capital investment, and strategic initiatives.
• Monitor industry trends, regulatory developments, and leading practices to help position the organization as a leader in electricity distribution and energy solutions.
• Lead organizational change initiatives that enhance operational effectiveness and support business transformation.

Operational Excellence & Grid Performance

• Provide overall leadership for System Control, Stations Design and Construction, Protection & Control, Reliability, Emergency Preparedness, and Smart Grid operations.
• Ensure the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of the electricity distribution system and associated operational technologies.

• Oversee the planning, delivery, and optimization of operating, maintenance, and capital programs supporting critical infrastructure.
• Ensure 24/7 operational readiness to support switching activities, outage response, restoration efforts, and emergency operations.
• Monitor and drive performance against reliability, operational, and customer service objectives.
• Collaborate across Network Operations to ensure annual inspection, maintenance, and asset management programs support reliability and performance targets.
• Champion process improvements, innovation, and technology adoption to strengthen grid performance and operational efficiency.

Asset Management & Technology Leadership

• Oversee maintenance and capital investment strategies for substations, telecommunications, protection and control systems, and distribution automation infrastructure.
• Partner with Operational Technology teams to optimize the performance and evolution of GIS, SCADA, OMS, ADMS, and other critical operating technologies.
• Lead the development and implementation of systems, processes, and reporting frameworks that support reliability monitoring and operational decision-making.
• Support the development and implementation of innovative energy and grid modernization solutions.

Customer, Stakeholder & Emergency Management

• Foster a customer-focused culture where operational decisions consider customer impacts and service outcomes.
• Partner with operational leaders to ensure timely and effective response to outages and emergency events.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including customers, regulators, municipalities, and industry partners.
• Provide executive oversight of the operational aspects of the corporate emergency management program, ensuring preparedness, coordination, and effective response capabilities.
• Support customer and stakeholder engagement related to system reliability, operational performance, and service delivery.

People Leadership & Culture

• Lead, develop, and inspire a team of technical and operational leaders to achieve strong business results.
• Create an inclusive, respectful, and high-performing workplace that values collaboration, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Coach and develop leaders through regular feedback, succession planning, mentoring, and professional development opportunities.
• Support workforce planning, talent acquisition, organizational design, and leadership development initiatives.
• Foster positive labour-management relationships and support the administration of collective agreements and grievance resolution processes.
• Promote diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging across the organization.

Financial & Business Management

• Oversee short- and long-term operational planning, budgets, expenditures, and resource allocation.
• Ensure effective management of operating and capital investments while maintaining fiscal accountability.
• Monitor operational performance indicators and implement strategies to improve efficiency, reliability, and business outcomes.
• Support the achievement of corporate objectives through sound business decision-making and performance management practices.

Safety, Compliance & Governance

• Champion a strong safety culture where health and safety are integrated into all operational activities and decision-making.
• Ensure compliance with applicable legislation, regulatory requirements, industry standards, and corporate policies.
• Maintain accountability for the safety of employees, contractors, and members of the public impacted by operational activities.
• Support the implementation of enterprise health and safety strategies that drive continuous improvement and risk reduction.
• Model organizational values, ethical leadership, and accountability while ensuring adherence to the Code of Conduct and governance requirements.

Corporate Values and Conduct:

• Demonstrate professional conduct and align with Alectra’s core values of safety, teamwork, and customer focus.

Other Duties:

• Perform additional tasks as assigned to support operational objectives

Who you are

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or College diploma related to Electrical Engineering or recognized equivalent
• Registered member of Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO) or Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (OACETT) in good standing (preferred)
• Related (or cross-functional) graduate level education an asset
• Must hold and maintain a valid class G driver’s license
• Experience working in a unionized environment an asset
• Progressive leadership experience
• Demonstrated experience in a leadership role involving strategic planning, successful change implementation, and supporting business growth such as new business opportunities and/or mergers and acquisitions
• Experience with capital and operating budgets
• Experience with project management an asset
• Demonstrated experience in building relationships with stakeholders, regulators, and governing organizations
• Experience developing and presenting strategies and business results to senior leaders

Knowledge Areas

• Strong understanding of electricity distribution design and construction practices, electrical distribution systems and operating technologies, safety standards and protection codes
• Demonstrated ability to manage financials and make sound business decisions
• Knowledge of regulatory and governmental requirements, codes, and regulations (OHSA, E&USA Rules, WHMIS, ESA, IESA, OEB, Measurement Canada Regulations and TDG Act)
• Knowledge of technical specifications and standards including CSA, CEA, and ESA
• Good understanding of electrical utility operations and construction work methods and practices, codes, and regulatory requirements
• Demonstrated understanding of collective agreements and ability to drive efficient network operations in a unionized environment