Supervisor Strategic Communications - Toronto - Independent Electricity System Operator

Description

Supervisor Strategic Communications & Editorial Services

Company: Independent Electricity System Operator

INDEPENDENT ELECTRICITY SYSTEM OPERATOR (IESO)

Requisition ID: 20248

Location: Toronto

Status: Regular

Business Unit: Corporate Relations, Engagement and Strategy

Why join us?
You've got great skills. And you want to use them in an organization where you know what you do every day matters. We also know that ensuring Ontarians have access to affordable and reliable power doesn't happen by accident. So we give you the tools, flexibility and support you need to achieve your goals, and development opportunities to help you grow. You'll thrive in a collaborative, team-based environment that values your unique skills and experiences – and recognizes that when you do better, we become even better too.

Who we are
The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) works at the centre of the province's power system, ensuring Ontarians have access to reliable and cost-effective electricity when and where they need it. We operate the province's electricity grid 24/7, design, run and oversee the wholesale electricity markets, and plan and prepare to meet Ontario's electricity needs – now and into the future.

The Supervisor, Strategic Communications and Editorial Services will be responsible for leading the IESO's communications planning, message development and editorial services functions. A strategic thinker and exceptional writer, the Supervisor will implement proactive and reactive communications strategies to enhance the organization's reputation as a trusted leader driving and guiding the sector.

With a keen understanding of IESO and sector developments, the Supervisor is responsible for proactively identifying communications opportunities to build awareness and support for IESO initiatives. This includes leading a team in the development of communications plans, key messages and Q&As, reports, speeches and other products.

The Supervisor will oversee the IESO's centralized speaking engagement process, overseeing the coordination and support of public presentations at various industry and community conferences, among others. This includes proactively leading executive leadership speaking engagements, identifying opportunities that strategically align with broader corporate and communication objectives, and overseeing the creation of speeches and presentations. The role also requires advising and preparing executive leadership in advance of speeches.

The Supervisor will also be responsible for report writing and other editorial services, bringing their strong project management and writing skills to a highly collaborative writing process. This involves frequent collaboration with subject matter experts across the company, breaking down complex concepts into clear and compelling writing.

A leader with experience supervising staff, the role is responsible for providing guidance and direction, developing staff to help reach their potential, and completing performance reviews.

Ontario's electricity system is undergoing a dramatic transformation, with economic development and decarbonization significantly increasing the need for new generation and transmission infrastructure across the province. The Supervisor will join a fast-paced and dynamic team that is helping the organization inform and build support among industry stakeholders, businesses, municipalities, and Indigenous communities as we prepare the province's electricity system for the future.

What you will be doing

• Lead Strategic Communications and Editorial Services team, supervising staff of up to seven to meet department's objectives
• Coach staff, provide feedback and support them in their career development
• Responsible for developing and implementing external communications strategies
• Write/advise on executive speeches; oversee coordination of executive speech program
• Provide communications counsel and support to internal clients
• Proactively identify opportunities and issues and appropriate communications responses that will increase awareness and understanding and outcomes
• Superior writing, editing and communications counsel to meet the needs of the IESO.
• Lead report writing function on behalf of the communications team, with a high degree of collaboration required.
• Work with other business units to recommend, develop and execute proactive communications
• Write and edit IESO material/briefs and official reports
• Work with Web Strategy and Brand to produce reports, presentations and creative elements
• Maintain ongoing relationship with Ministry of Energy communications staff
• Perform other duties as may be required.

What you need to succeed

Education

• Requires a strong knowledge of communications principles, techniques and applications to determine and develop communications strategies to meet these needs.
• Requires strong knowledge of English language in order to communicate effectively both orally and in writing with all levels of management and external parties.
• This knowledge is normally acquired either through the successful completion of a 4-year university education in the appropriate discipline, or by having the equivalent.

Experience

• Requires experience in a broad range of communications activities to develop communication plans and appropriate action.
• Requires experience in report writing and executive speech writing.
• Requires experience in research and analysis on policies, decisions, corporate business plans and other current issues in order to prepare information for background reports, correspondence, briefing files, etc.
• Requires communication and interpersonal skills that support the ability to lead, influence and persuade individuals or groups.
• A period of at least 10 years is considered necessary to gain this experience.

What's in it for you

• A comprehensive total rewards program, including best-in-class benefits and a flexible workplace
• A challenging, fast-paced and collaborative team environment, where your perspectives and experiences matter
• Leaders who support your growth and success through regular feedback and coaching
• The opportunity to work with some of the brightest minds in the industry

Deadline: February

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 thank you for your interest in a career at the IESO, but we will only contact those candidates selected for an interview.
Note: The successful candidate must be eligible to work in Canada and will be subject to a background check.
The IESO offers a hybrid work model program to most of our employees, based on business needs.