Recruitment posting
Balancing Pool
Competition #: 473
Ministry : Energy
Opening Date : 2017/08/09
closing Date : 2017/08/23
Role : Chair
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 Board Chair of the Balancing Pool.
The Balancing Pool was established in 1999 by the Government of Alberta to help manage the transition to competition in Alberta’s electric industry. The company is a non-profit statutory corporation, with a Board of Directors appointed by the Minister of Energy. Obligations and responsibilities are governed by the Electric Utilities Act (effective June 1, 2003) and the Balancing Pool Regulation.
Mission Statement
The Balancing Pool supports the transition to a fair, efficient, and openly competitive electricity market in Alberta by performing the duties and responsibilities set out in its mandate including managing the risks and maximizing the value of the assets held on behalf of Alberta’s electricity consumers. The work of the Balancing Pool is increasingly changing, complex and critical to all Albertans.
Our legislated duties include:
- To manage generation assets in a commercial manner, specifically any Power Purchase Arrangements (PPAs) held by the Balancing Pool that include the right to exchange electric energy and ancillary services, and any arrangements or agreements derived from these assets;
- To hold the Hydro PPA and manage associated payments;
- To forecast revenues and expenses (incorporating estimates of Pool price and potential expenses related to risk backstop activities) and allocate the forecast surplus or deficiency to consumers through a Consumer Allocation or charge;
- To participate in appropriate regulatory, dispute resolution and other proceedings and processes to protect the interests of the Balancing Pool and the value of its assets; and
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To manage risks prudently in all aspects of its operations.
The Chair leads and supports the Board of Directors to ensure effective operation of the Balancing Pool’s operations. The Chair provides leadership to the Board enabling it to act as an effective team in fulfilling its mandate under the Electric Utilities Act and other legislation. While day-to-day operations are led by the Balancing Pool’s Chief Executive Officer, the Board-CEO relationship is a partnership, and the appropriate involvement of the Board is both critical and expected.
CHAIR ACCOUNTABILITIES:
- Build and maintain relationships with board members, the CEO and key stakeholders to fulfill the Balancing Pool’s role in the electricity industry.
- Provide mission-based leadership and strategic governance.
- Provide strong leadership to the Board and ensure the appropriate governance policies and control mechanisms are in place with respect to the management and operations of the Balancing Pool, including establishing and/or administering relevant bylaws.
- Act as the liaison with the Minister of Energy or Deputy Minister of Energy, including, but not limited to, providing the Minister with timely updates on major issues, as necessary.
- Assume accountability for leadership development and development planning across the Balancing Pool, including with the CEO.
- Ensure annual evaluations and reviews of the performance of the Balancing Pool Board CEO, its committees, and individual Members are conducted.
The Balancing Pool is seeking a Chair who possesses a strong mix of the following knowledge, skills and experiences:
Leadership Experience at a Board or Executive Level
- Experience driving strategic insight and direction to continuously challenge an organization; and
- Experience in understanding and balancing political and regulatory requirements.
Enterprise Risk Management
- Experience in the process of identifying principal organizational risks in a wide range of areas, and ensure that management has implemented the appropriate systems to manage risk.
Strategic Planning
- Experience in the strategic planning process, including a demonstrated ability to focus on longer term goals and strategic outcomes, as separate from day-to-day management and operational experience.
Organizational Acumen
- Acumen developed within a business, public sector, or non-profit environment;
- Knowledge/experience with performance measurements of corporate objectives; and • Strong knowledge of the electricity market.
Financial Literacy
- Knowledge of financial reporting standards; and
- Ability to read and understand financial statements.
Human Resource Management
- Experience in, and a thorough understanding of, human resources issues including: board and executive recruitment and succession planning, talent development, retention, change management, and total compensation programs.
Corporate Governance Experience
- Confidence in providing advice and stewardship to the executive team of an organization;
- Understanding or experience in governance processes, policies and accountabilities by which organizations are directed and controlled, including, understanding the role and relationships between stakeholders, directors and management;
- Direct experience with strategy building and management, stewardship, oversight, and measurement of results; and
- Prior experience as a Board Member of organizations, either private or public sector, are an asset.
Industry-Related Engineering Experience
- Prior experience in the electricity generation and power delivery sector; and
- Understanding of deregulated electricity market structures.
Legal
- Well versed in provincial legislation and regulatory matters, ideally as they pertain to the Alberta electricity sector; and
- Direct experience with contract arbitrations.
COMPETENCIES & ATTRIBUTES:
- A commitment to and understanding of the Balancing Pool’s stakeholders, preferably based on experience;
- Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and a desire for improving the lives of Albertans;
- Offers practical wisdom and mature judgment, results oriented and decisive nature, and a willingness to devote necessary time to Board matters;
- Savvy diplomatic skills and a natural affinity for cultivating relationships and persuading, convening, facilitating, and building consensus among diverse individuals;
- Ability to recognize and assess business risks and strategic opportunities;
- Superior interpersonal skills that demonstrate a respect for diversity of thought, opinion and experience;
- Comfortable with managing in ambiguity and uncertainty;
- Familiarity with Alberta’s economy, generation and consumption geography, and business community; and
- Demonstrable achievement and leadership with a breadth of operational experience in successful organizations; including financial management, human resources, organizational management, strategic planning, risk management, legal, compensation and technology/IT.
Under the Electric Utilities Act section 76(8), a member is eligible to receive the reasonable remuneration and expenses set out in the Balancing Pool bylaws.
A summary of remuneration Members are eligible to receive as at January 1, 2016 is:
- Chair: $85,000/year flat retainer (the Chair receives no board or committee meeting fees);
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Board meetings will be held quarterly, at minimum, and committee meetings will be held in coordination with full board meetings. All Board and Committee meetings occur in Calgary.
In addition to your cover letter and resume, we require a biography. Click HERE to download form.
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.
Executive Search, Public Service Commission, will manage the recruitment process.
Please direct questions to: Linda Harris, Executive Search:
780-408-8471 email:linda.harris@gov.ab.ca.
5th Floor, Peace Hills Trust, 10011 – 109 Street, Edmonton, AB, T5J 3S8
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.