Recruitment posting

Alberta Electric System Operator

It is recognized in Alberta as a fundamental principle and as a matter of public policy that all persons are equal. Diversity and inclusion are valued and supported on the boards of Alberta's public agencies.

The Minister of Energy is seeking applications from individuals interested in serving as a Board Member of the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO). There are up to four vacancies that will be recruited in 2017.

The Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) is the business name of a statutory corporation, the Independent System Operator, established on June 1, 2003, under the Electric Utilities Act of the Province of Alberta. The AESO is responsible for the safe, reliable, and economic planning and operation of the Alberta Interconnected Electric System (AIES) and the operation of markets for electric energy. The mandate of the AESO includes carrying out its duties and responsibilities in the public interest. As well, the AESO may not own or hold any interest in electric transmission, generation or distribution facilities and must be managed on an annual basis so there is no profit or loss.

The AESO provides open and non-discriminatory access to Alberta’s power grid for generation and transmission companies, and large industrial consumers of electricity. The AESO also develops and administers transmission tariffs, procures ancillary services to ensure system reliability, manages settlement of hourly wholesale market and transmission system services, and facilitates Alberta’s wholesale electricity market, which in 2016 had 188 participants and approximately $2 billion in annual energy transactions. The AESO interacts with the Alberta Utilities Commission, the Market Surveillance Administrator and numerous other stakeholders.

The AESO has responsibility for long range transmission planning, and, in recent years held accountability to approve prudent spending on transmission infrastructure in the Province, including the current implementation of a competitive procurement process to increase transmission capacity into the Fort McMurray region.

In addition, the AESO has now been tasked with implementation of recent Government of Alberta policy initiatives related to the Climate Leadership Plan (CLP) announced in November 2015. Among the support areas provided by the AESO is advising the Government regarding the phase-out of coal-fired generation by 2030, the development, implementation and management of a Renewable Electricity Program (REP) that promotes the development of renewable electricity projects through a competitive program to procure renewable attributes, and implementation of a Renewable Energy Program (REP) to competitively procure green energy, and the development and implementation of a multi-year initiative to introduce a Capacity Market. Implementation of this policy framework will require extensive consultation with stakeholders, risk management of outcomes and timelines, development of commercial terms and conditions, competitive procurement of power, approvals of rules and regulations and many other complex tasks.

The Electric Utility Act (EUA) legislation allows for up to a three year term, with eligibility for an additional two terms, subject to the approval of the Minister of Energy.

In accordance with the Act, the AESO is governed by a Board comprised of independent Members, who are independent of any party having a material interest in Alberta’s electric industry.

Members are appointed by the Minister of Energy and the AESO Board may have up to nine sitting Members. The AESO strives to ensure AESO Board representation meets the criteria necessary to fulfill its role of fiduciary oversight for the organization, including appointments of diverse candidates who bring deep experience in areas such as the overall electricity industry, finance, energy, engineering, renewable energy, regulatory rules and process, information technology, and legal sectors. As the industry and organization changes and adapts to policy framework, market and investor activity, stakeholders and technology and other conditions, the AESO Board competencies must also adapt. The AESO Board focuses on current skill requirements, but also looks to future needs and AESO Board succession.

The AESO Bylaws and the AESO Board Charter and Governance Document, as well as the Act, set out the general responsibilities of the AESO Board. The AESO Board is responsible for overseeing business and related affairs of the organization, including active involvement with the executive team on strategic planning. The AESO Board strives to follow best “governance practices” including such practices as annual Member, Board and Committee Assessments, and orientation and education activities. The AESO Board conducts all its activities with integrity, responsiveness and efficiency and formalizes annual Member compliance with the AESO Code of Conduct through their annual Member acknowledgement.

AESO Board’s Responsibilities

Governance, Compliance & Affairs of the AESO Board

• Establish a mandate and Charter for the AESO Board in compliance with all relevant Government policies and Ministerial directives along with all legal and regulatory requirements;

• Ensure the appropriate governance and control mechanisms are in place with respect to the management and operations of AESO;

• Establish such committees as it deems necessary to assist the AESO Board in carrying out its duties and responsibilities, appoint AESO Board committee members and approve the Committees’ respective Charters and any amendments, including but not limited to the following committees:

     o Audit Committee;

     o Power System Committee;

    o Governance and Nominations Committee; and

    o Human Resources Committee.

• Select candidates for new Members and plan for Member succession, including making recommendations to the Minister of Energy regarding AESO Board Chair and Members;

• Ensure that appropriate compensation, orientation and ongoing education is provided to Members;

• Assess the effectiveness of the AESO Board, committees and individual Members in fulfilling their responsibilities; and

• Approve and monitor the development and implementation of strategy, the business plan and the performance of AESO against such plan, including changes where necessary.

Public Interest and Stakeholder Relationships

• Upon approval of the strategy and business plans, support and guide the CEO, subject to the AESO Board’s duty to act in the public interest of Albertans;

• Appropriately address conflict of interest matters and the ongoing independence of Members as required by the Act; and

• Endorse a just and trusting relationship and collaborative culture between the AESO and the Minister.

Fiscal Accountability and Reporting

The AESO Board’s financial and corporate responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Review and approve an annual Capital and Operating Budget, and monitor performance;

• Oversee the development of corporate financial strategy;

• Oversee the integrity and effectiveness of the AESO’s internal control and management information systems (including internal audit resources and external auditors);

• Approve annual audited financial statements and Management Discussion and Analysis and their release;

• Oversee the reporting of the AESO’s financial performance to stakeholders and the public; and

• Oversee the reporting requirements of AESO pursuant to the Act.

Enterprise Risk Management

• Understand and assess the principal risks associated with the AESO’s duties and responsibilities and confirm that there is a structure for the protection and enhancement of its assets;

• Review Management’s processes used to identify the material risks associated with the AESO’s duties and responsibilities and review Management’s implementation of appropriate systems to identify, manage and mitigate those risks;

• Review coverage, deductibles and key issues regarding corporate insurance policies;

• Receive annually (at a minimum) reports from Management on matters including but not limited to: ethical conduct, employee recruitment, retention and succession; and

• Monitor that the resources of the AESO are appropriately safeguarded.

Information Technology (IT) and Cyber Security

• Exercise broad IT management expertise in overseeing the translation of business critical operating requirements into secure networks, systems, telecommunications and infrastructures;

• Participate in the development of the strategic direction by applying subject matter expertise and leadership in enterprise IT security risks, trends, options, policies, processes; and

• Provide oversight of Management in IT security matters as needed.

Human Capital Management

• Appoint and manage the succession of the CEO and monitor the CEO’s performance;

• Approve the CEO’s compensation;

• Review the CEO’s performance regularly against agreed objectives;

• Provide advice and counsel to the CEO in the execution of the CEO’s duties; and

• Ensure effective policies and procedures are in place relating to recruitment, compensation, performance evaluation, management succession planning, and the development and continuity of human resources.

The AESO Board strives to have a diverse mix of skills and experience on the Board. No one candidate is expected to have all the skills and experiences listed below. The EUA legislation requires that each Member must be independent and remain independent of any person with a material interest in the Alberta electric industry. The AESO Board’s mandate is to act in the interest of all Albertans.

Industry and Technical Experience

The AESO Board strives to have industry-related and technical engineering (P.Eng.) expertise on the Board at all times.

• Background in electricity generation, transmission, power delivery, and renewable energy; engineering analytics, planning and assessments; and electricity and energy market knowledge, including wholesale energy markets and capacity markets.

• Experience overseeing the planning, implementation, operation and maintenance of infrastructure similar to the Alberta Integrated Energy System (AIES)

• Broad regulatory, political and public policy experience at municipal, provincial or federal levels

• Experience with environmental policy, regulation and implementation of related initiatives

• Experience with high risk reliability service delivery requirements

Information Technology and Cyber Security

• Direct experience with the role and responsibilities of IT and cyber security in an organization, including IT strategy and project management, data protection, electronic record management and IT risk management

• Broad range of experience with corporate IT solutions to diverse and complex business issues

• Understanding of systems security, real time system complexity

Leadership Experience

• Experience in leadership roles, particularly with complex stakeholder management and oversight of long term strategic planning for similar industry environments

Business Acumen

• Acumen developed within a For Profit, Not for Profit, Entrepreneurial or other business environment

• Knowledge/experience with performance measurement of business objectives

• Familiarity with Alberta’s economy, geography and greater business community

Leadership Attributes

• Possess sound judgment, a high degree of personal integrity, a willingness to devote the necessary time to Board matters, strong interpersonal skills including a respect for diversity of thought, opinion and experience, inquisitive and objective perspectives, and a comfort in oversight of high risk, complex environments

Organizational Effectiveness/Human Resource Management

• Experience in organizational management

• Experience with public accountability and scrutiny, as well as experience maintaining relationships between customers and stakeholders

• Proven ability to achieve goals and measurable results

• Experience with human resources issues, such as board and executive succession planning and recruitment, organizational change management, compensation and talent development

Financial Expertise

• The AESO Board strives to have at least one accounting designation (CPA) Member on the Board at all times. Other Board Members should have some degree of financial literacy and risk management knowledge.

• Financial Literacy

     • Knowledge of financial reporting standards

     • Ability to read and understand financial statements

     • Experience with Audit functions and business and budget planning and monitoring

     • Knowledge of financial policies and procedures

• Enterprise Risk Management

     • Experience in identifying organizational risks, and ensuring appropriate risk management systems are in place

     • Experience in risk control frameworks and compliance oversight

     • Experience in risk contingency management

Governance Experience

• The AESO Board adheres to “Best Practices” in governance and prefers candidates with prior Board experience

• Ability to objectively provide oversight, advice and stewardship to an executive team

• Understanding of specific Board processes, policies and accountabilities

• Direct experience with board governance as it relates to strategy, risk, executive succession and compensation and public accountability

• Familiarity with governance in an environment that includes multiple stakeholders and government legislated mandates

• Understands ethical, integrity, conflict of interest matters and Code of Conduct requirements

Specialized Knowledge and Experience

In 2017, the AESO Board is seeking specific skill sets from at least one or more new Board appointees. These include:

• Electricity industry experience in Capacity Market structures (specifically commercial backgrounds, contract procurements, business development and market design and implementation)

• Renewable energy experience

• A professional accounting designation (CPA)

The AESO encourages all qualified applicants to apply. A fulsome and inclusive search will be conducted.

As per the AESO Bylaws, the following is the compensation a Member is eligible to receive:

• $27,500 Member annual retainer;

• $7,500 Committee Chair annual retainer (If applicable); and

• $1,000 per AESO Board and Committee meeting attended.

Honoraria rates are subject to review.

The AESO Board typically holds 5 regular meetings each year, one of which is a two-day annual Strategic Planning meeting. One or more “Special Meetings” may be called during the year, depending on the need. Members may attend meetings by telephone but that is expected to be the exception. As well, Members are expected to serve on at least two AESO Board Committees. Each Committee meets a minimum of twice a year and up to four times a year.

All meetings are held at the AESO Offices in Calgary, unless the AESO Board agrees otherwise. One meeting may be scheduled in Edmonton.

In addition to your cover letter and resume, we require a biography. Click HERE to download the form. Once your biography is completed, save it to your personal computer.

When you hit 'submit application', you will be prompted to upload additional documents. Drag and drop (or upload) your completed cover letter, biography into the 'Drop files below or click to upload' section before clicking the 'apply' button.

Optimum Talent | Conroy Ross Partners has been retained to manage the recruitment process. Please direct questions to:

Scott Doupe, Partner: 403.261.8080 x317

Kara Watson, Search Manager: 403.261.8080 x328

Carefully read the Recruitment Posting and the Position Profile to ensure this is an appropriate opportunity for you. Applicants are advised to provide information that clearly and concisely demonstrates how their qualifications meet the advertised requirements.

Online applications are preferred. To apply, click on the 'apply' button, create or sign into your account in the ePAAS system; upload your resume, view the listing under Current Opportunities and click on 'submit application'. The uploaded resume will be automatically attached.

Provide a short (maximum 200 words) biography using the Biography template found under additional documents section. Your biography should contain general information about your education, experience, community involvement, skills, etc. Please note that biographies may be edited for length and clarity.

Once your biography and other required form(s) are completed, save it to your PC. When you hit 'submit application', you will be prompted to upload additional documents. Drag and drop (or upload) your completed cover letter, biography and other form(s) into the 'Drop files below or click to upload' section before clicking the 'apply' button.

If you are unable to apply online, please submit a cover letter and resume, quoting the recruitment posting competition number, to the contact provided on the posting. We thank all applicants for their interest. All applications will be reviewed to assess which candidates' qualifications most closely match the agency's requirements. Only those selected for interviews will be contacted to advance to the next step in the appointment process. You can check the status of each competition on-line at https://www.alberta.ca/public-agencies.cfm.

All potential candidates will be screened for potential conflicts of interest. Please Note: Successful applicants will have the following information about them made publicly available on the Public Agency Secretariat Website: name, biography, public agency, and position title.

Electric Utilities Act