Energy policy, Utility policy

Position: Utilities Director
Organization: Efficiency Canada
Location: Remote (Permanent residency in Ontario is preferred)

Position Overview

The Director, Utilities plays an important role within Efficiency Canada, contributing to strategic direction and execution of utility demand-side management (DSM) policy and research initiatives. Collaborating closely with the Executive Director, Senior Director of Policy Strategy, and Senior Management Team, this position is responsible for driving campaigns and research efforts to bolster energy efficiency and decarbonization efforts in Canada's utilities sector. This role includes representing Efficiency Canada as a subject matter expert with peer organizations, government bodies, funders, media, Allies and other stakeholders.

The Director, Utilities is tasked with identifying high impact opportunities for Efficiency Canada in the utility policy space, growing the organization’s impact, and delivering high-value outputs that build Efficiency Canada’s reputation as the “go to” place for innovative ideas and approaches to policy change to support affordable, efficient, and decarbonized utility systems.

Responsibilities:

Lead Efficiency Canada’s work in utilities-related policy areas, such as demand-side management planning, energy efficiency programing, and emerging opportunities (e.g., demand flexibility). This work includes:

• Supporting the Senior Director, Policy Strategy in shaping the strategic vision of research and policy advocacy efforts in Canada.
• Representing Efficiency Canada in stakeholder consultations, industry meetings, and technical committees.
• Identifying and responding to requests for information, feedback or public consultation on important federal, provincial, and municipal policy-making.
• Serving as Efficiency Canada’s in-house expert on utility demand-side management.

Conduct research and analyses to inform policy advocacy and track policy developments. This includes:

• Collaborating with the Director, Research on the development and implementation of utility policy research and development of research infrastructure.
• Developing relationships with strategic partners (e.g., funders, industry, government) to identify and develop new project opportunities.

Strategically identify future utility policy initiatives with the Senior Director, Policy Strategy. This includes:

• Understanding the wider policy community and identifying relevant roles for Efficiency Canada
• Identifying existing and upcoming policy change priorities
• Creating partnership opportunities and identifying intersections with related policy objectives such as equity, climate resilience, and economic development
• Supporting proposal development and fundraising

Serve as an industry thought leader, disseminating Efficiency Canada’s utilities-related work through various channels (i.e., published papers and blogs, social media communications, in-person and virtual events, and more). This includes:

• Collaborating with Communications and Engagement specialists to coordinate research projects and campaigns, develop key messages, and build supporter networks.
• Providing direction on advocacy campaigns and stakeholder engagement
• Building and cultivating relationships and partnerships with industry, governments, and energy efficiency experts.

Participate in Efficiency Canada’s organizational and strategic planning, and provide direction, mentoring, and technical guidance to team members. This includes:

• Working in project-based teams and aligning contributions and projects with strategic goals.
• Acting as an organizational resource on building science and the buildings sector.

Qualifications

1. 5-10 years of work experience in an energy efficiency policy field
2. Recognized expert in utility resource planning and utility demand-side management, with a proven record representing or discussing priorities in public forums.
3. Comfortable in an external-facing role, engaging with various members of the public.
4. Demonstrated political sophistication, exceptional coalition-building skills, and the ability to communicate effectively while building consensus among internal and external stakeholders.
5. Excellent policy analysis, research and writing skills, demonstrated through a record of publication (e.g., reports, policy briefs, other written outputs)
6. Highly collaborative work style, operating as a peer and thought partner.
7. Demonstrated commitment to valuing diversity and equity, contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment.
8. Experience in project and people management.

Key Requirements

1. Education: Graduate degree in public policy, political science, economics, environmental studies, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
2. Experience: Extensive experience in utility policy, research, and advocacy roles. Prior nonprofit experience preferred but not required.
3. Technical Skills: Proficiency in research project design and execution, policy analysis, project management, and stakeholder engagement.
4. Soft Skills: Problem-solving, team building, communication, and networking abilities; ability to foster innovation and critical thinking.
5. Additional Requirements: Demonstrated expertise in government relations, advocacy, and funding acquisition. Proficiency in French is preferred.

Location

This position operates remotely. Permanent residency in Ontario is preferred.

Reporting Structure

• The Director, Utilities reports directly to the Senior Director of Policy Strategy at Efficiency Canada.

Compensation

• $95,000- $110, 000 annual salary (depending on experience)
• Comprehensive health benefits
• Work remotely with opportunities to meet team members at in-person events.
• A knowledgeable, high-achieving, experienced and fun team.
• A nationwide and diverse work atmosphere.
• 22 vacation days.
• 18 wellness days.
• Additional days off around statutory long weekends from April to September, an annual winter holiday shutdown, and your birthday off.
• Training and development budget to support your professional goals.

To Apply

The deadline for online application is November 28, at 12:00 p.m. (ET). Applicants are encouraged to apply early, as we will review applications on a rolling basis.

To apply for this opportunity, submit a single PDF with your cover letter and resume to HR@efficiencycanada.org .

Name your file Last Name, First Name, and use the subject line “Utilities Director”. Please include your pronouns and availability in the cover letter.

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About Efficiency Canada

Efficiency Canada is the national voice for an energy efficient economy. We envision a future where Canada uses energy efficiency to its fullest potential. Efficiency Canada is housed at Carleton University’s Sustainable Energy Research Centre, which is located on the traditional unceded territories of the Algonquin nation.