Brantford Power - Vice President, Engineering & Operations

BACKGROUND

Our client serves approximately 39,300 residential, commercial and industrial customers in the City of Brantford and has been providing electricity distribution since 1935. They are committed to delivering safe, efficient and reliable electricity to their customers while offering the best energy and conservation solutions and superior customer service.

Brantford Power’s strategic focus is on building sustainable communities while making continual improvements and investments across all aspects of its business including employee and community customer responsive customer service; and conservation programs. The utility is wholly owned by the Brantford Energy Corporation.

THE POSITION

The Vice-President, Engineering & Operations leads the strategy, planning, implementation and day-to-day performance of the Engineering and Operations teams. Working with the Senior Leadership and Management teams, the Vice-President will identify, develop and implement Brantford Power’s priorities and objectives, providing regular reports on the organization's progress to both the President and the Board of Directors.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership and People Management

• Promote and participate in the Company’s Health and Safety program through implementing safe work strategies and practices, that reinforce safety incident management; hazard identification and safe work attitudes
  
• Lead change management initiatives to streamline and improve efficiencies regarding business process and system improvements and lead the Engineering and Operations departments and other related departments in the implementation of best practices.
  
• Direct and administer the activities associated with Engineering, Operations, Maintenance, Fleet, Facilities, Metering, Smart Grid, Purchasing, Renewable Generation, and CDM for commercial and industrial customers.
  
• Provide executive leadership to the Labor/Management relationships within the utility
  
• Manage direct reports including: recruitment, scheduling and performance management in accordance with budgetary objectives, collective agreements and personnel policies.
  
• Ensure technical and trades staff receives the appropriate feedback, training and development to succeed
  
• Lead the development of a five-year capital construction plan and the yearly capital and operating budget
  
• Lead the Company’s Health and Safety program through implementing safe work strategies and practices, which reinforce safety incident management; hazard identification and safe work attitudes. 

Strategy and Planning

• Provide strategic direction and response to industry and regulatory changes; provide analysis on the impact to the utility; ensure compliance for areas of responsibility and provide proactive identification of business development opportunities for the utility and/or its affiliates
  
• Establish and implement the utility’s strategic plan (policies, standards, practices and technology) by assessing emerging technologies, process improvements and industry trends to improve performance and reliability; reduce costs; and introduce efficiency improvements
  
• Drive strategic direction and set challenging objectives for the Operations and Engineering promote an environment of continuous improvement and innovation
  
• Oversee the development of Engineering and Operations budges and business plans
  
• Keep abreast of industry and regulatory changes; provide analysis on the impact to the utility; ensure compliance for areas of responsibility and provide proactive identification of business development opportunities for the utility and/or its affiliates within regulatory requirements.
  
• Lead change management initiatives to streamline and improve efficiencies regarding business process and system improvements and lead in the implementation of best practices.
  
• Provide technical and business leadership to Engineering and Operations and to the organization overall
  
• Act as a key Executive representative for the utility with stakeholder communications and respond promptly to escalated customer or stakeholder concerns

Operations Management

• Ensure the safe and efficient design and operation of the distribution system.
  
• Lead the development and management of the utility’s asset management plan incorporating asset life cycle cost considerations and network designs to support utility strategies and to enhance customer benefits.
  
• Implement and manage a continuous improvement process for the utility’s system design standards and construction assembly units to ensure Brantford Power’s management system complies with electricity safety regulations O.Reg. 22/04.
  
• Develop capital works programs and preparation of capital budgets for system access and system renewal activities. Provide key input to the development of general plant activities as they relate to Engineering department software and systems.
  
• Lead the development and implementation the utility’s Emergency Management Plan; participate in emergency response exercises and as a member of the executive leadership team for the utility availability for Emergency response is required.

COMPETENCIES & QUALIFICATIONS

Competency Profile

A Professional Engineer with demonstrated growth over 10 years of leadership experience with demonstrated ability in the following competencies:

• Creates a Compelling Future and Inspires Others to Achieve
  
• Embraces Change and Creative and Entrepreneurial Spirit
  
• Macro Business Understanding and Strategic Thinking

A consensus builder and communicator with already established credibility as a pro-active and experienced leader who has gained the respect of employees in a unionized environment, and has strong people skills.

A thoughtful and technically competent listener and leader, who understands the operations side of an increasingly technically complex industry while recognizing the need to deliver the corporation’s objectives within approved business plans and budgets.

Technical Competencies

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering and professional membership with the PEO in good standing, or recognized equivalent is preferred.
  
• Utility operations field management experience is an asset
  
• At least 10 years of experience at a senior leadership level.
  
• Knowledge of the energy utility industry, including understanding of the current environment and deregulation
  
• A commitment to leadership development, employee empowerment, inspiring a shared vision. 
  
• Demonstrated ability to execute strategic plans and successfully implement change. 
  
• Knowledge of regulatory and governmental requirements (OEB Rules and Regulations, ESA, PIPEDA and OHSA, IH&SA Rules, WHMIS).
  
• Advanced knowledge of technical specifications and standards (CSA, CEA and ESA).
  
• Superior presentation, interpersonal and communication skills. 
  
• Superior organizational skills and flexibility to meet changing needs of the organization.
  
• Must hold and maintain a valid class G driver’s licence.
  
• Demonstrated experience in a unionized environment is an asset.
  
• Experience in a multi-service utility environment particularly with planning, design and managing operating groups an asset.