Renewable energy, batteries and energy storage

Position: Senior Director of Energy Storage
Organization: Canadian Renewable Energy Association
Location: virtual, anywhere in Canada

About CanREA

The Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA) is the voice for wind energy, solar energy and energy storage in Canada.

We represent 350+ member companies working to advance the policies, regulations and market conditions that will power Canada’s clean energy future. Our work spans advocacy, research, events and member services, all in service of a more sustainable electricity system for Canada and future generations. Learn more at renewablesassociation.ca.

The Role

The Senior Director of Energy Storage is responsible for leading CanREA's Energy Storage Program and Energy Storage Network, serving as CanREA's primary point of contact for energy storage members operating both in front-of-the-meter (FTM) and behind-the-meter (BTM), and leading engagement with the broader membership on energy storage advocacy.

Through the Energy Storage Program, the Senior Director leads CanREA's technical work to unblock and improve the conditions needed for energy storage to scale in Canada — including insurance access, fire safety, codes and standards, workforce planning, supply chain development, and technical innovation — and oversees the BESS Operators Group, a forum for members with operating facilities to share best practices. Through the Energy Storage Network, the Senior Director convenes CanREA's members on national and regional energy storage policy priorities, with primary focus on Ontario and Alberta and secondary focus on British Columbia and Atlantic provinces, working in close collaboration with CanREA's regional Policy Directors.

Primary Responsibilities

Policy and Regulatory Development and Advocacy

• Manage and lead, in collaboration with energy storage members and CanREA's Policy Team, consultants and other stakeholders, the development of CanREA's energy storage policy and regulatory positions.
• In collaboration with CanREA's regional Policy Directors, advocate for CanREA's energy storage policy and regulatory positions with decision-makers in government, utilities and system operators.
• Ensure that CanREA's energy storage member interests are presented with governments, system operators, regulators, and utilities in consultations related to potential policy, regulatory and market design changes or development.
• Engage with energy storage members (FTM and BTM) and industry stakeholders to develop and promote industry best practices for development, deployment, operations and maintenance of energy storage facilities.

Technical Program Delivery

• Lead delivery of the Energy Storage Program's technical workstreams, including insurance access, fire safety, codes and standards, workforce planning, supply chain, and technical innovation.
• Convene and support the BESS Operators Group, providing members with operating facilities a forum to share best practices and troubleshoot operational challenges.
• Engage consultants as needed, supported by the Program's dedicated Policy budget, to advance technical workstreams.

Strategy and Leadership

• Work in close collaboration with CanREA's Policy leaders on issues related to the organization's future development, risk assessment and the establishment of its annual strategic objectives and budget.
• Prepare updates and strategic advice to CanREA's Policy Team and Management on issues relating to energy storage policies and regulations.
• Identify and pursue new member companies in the energy storage sector, including technology providers, developers and financial institutions, working with the Membership and Business Development team to convert prospects into members.
• Identify and cultivate new funding sources for CanREA's energy storage work, including government programs, foundations and industry partners, and support the development of funding proposals.
• Build relationships with financial institutions, investors and capital providers to strengthen the sector's access to financing, and represent CanREA's interests in emerging funding conversations.
• Collaborate with the full CanREA team to support the achievement of organizational outcomes, including the pursuit and retention of CanREA members, including CanREA's energy storage members (FTM and BTM).
• Support the Membership and Business Development team in pursuing new revenue streams and opportunities for collaboration with stakeholders, governments and relevant agencies.

Network & Relationship Management

• Convene and lead the Energy Storage Network, CanREA's member forum for national and regional energy storage priorities, with primary focus on Ontario and Alberta and secondary focus on British Columbia and Atlantic provinces.
• Build and maintain positive relationships, partnerships, and networks with CanREA members, and other key provincial and national stakeholders (e.g. government, agencies, regulators, utilities, not-for-profits, etc.) to support the implementation of CanREA's policy and regulatory goals.
• Build and create coalitions to generate support and align advocacy efforts with stakeholders around common interests and policy and regulatory positions.
• Work in close collaboration with CanREA's Policy Team members and other internal teams.

Communications and Events

• Write and manage regular / frequent policy and regulatory reports / meetings for members, CanREA newsletters and Board reports as requested.
• Participate in the development and organization of conference program content and materials for CanREA's related conferences and events such as the Electricity Transformation Canada conference the Operators Summit, and other events as required.
• Lead the development of the Energy Storage Alberta program.
• Represent CanREA, provide presentations and sit on panels at various conferences or stakeholder meetings and virtual events.
• Support other CanREA team members in development of presentation details as required for other regional outreach efforts.
• Act as a spokesperson as required for CanREA at events and in the media.

Qualifications

Functional Competencies

• Energy storage knowledge – Deep technical knowledge of energy storage systems, including the design, implementation, and optimization of various storage technologies, including but not limited to batteries.
• Consensus-building and facilitation – ability to facilitate large groups and work with individuals therein to integrate large volumes of information and develop consensus positions on complex issues of a technical and political nature.
• Advocacy – ability to advocate policy positions at both the bureaucratic and political level within government, utilities or regulatory bodies.
• Developing relationships and networks – ability to interact and develop effective collaborative relationships, showing respect and sensitivity to diverse views and positions, with colleagues within CanREA (including staff, members, working groups), CanREA members and with other stakeholders including senior representatives of government, regulatory bodies, associations, commissions, and industry.
• Business knowledge – ability to understand key business considerations for maximizing returns for a long-lived capital asset.
• Writing and communications – ability to synthesize complex ideas and communicate them in a straightforward, easy to understand manner through both public speaking and written materials appropriate for the audience.
• Public speaking – ability to speak publicly to a variety of professional and community audiences and audience sizes.
• Self-starting – ability to work with considerable autonomy, identifying and acting on regional issues as they arise, while able to recognize the need to escalate and seek consultation with the Vice President of Policy, Western and National Affairs.
• Team Player – ability to work effectively as a team member; open to sharing with and supporting CanREA-wide or technical and utility specific initiatives.

Administration

• Knowledge of MS Office Suite, including Microsoft Teams.
• Ability to travel 10 to 15 percent of the time, primarily across Canada with occasional international travel.

Education

• University degree in a relevant area of study or an acceptable combination of education and relevant experience

Experience

• 7+ years’ experience in the energy sector, or with energy and environment policy.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the energy storage and renewable energy sector and markets.
• Fluency in English (written and spoken) is required.
• Bilingual in English and French (written and spoken) is an asset.

Compensation & Benefits

The salary range for this position is $120,000 - $140,000 CAD. CanREA is open to negotiating salary commensurate with the successful candidate's experience and qualifications.

This is a fully remote position with flexible hours, and compensation includes a performance bonus alongside the base salary. Permanent full-time employees receive health, dental, and EAP benefits with a flex account, employer-matched RSP contributions, and a generous paid time off allotment, including an annual office closure between December 20 and January 1. CanREA also provides financial support for setting up an ergonomic home office, an international work policy, and an annual personal allotment for professional development, along with employee recognition programs.

To Apply

Please submit your application using this form by September 18, ensuring you attach your resume and cover letter in PDF format.

Please mention you saw this at GoodWork.ca.

We thank all applicants for their interest in CanREA, however only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

AI at CanREA

At CanREA, we embrace AI as a tool to support smarter, more efficient ways of working, when used thoughtfully and responsibly.

That said, people matter most. While AI may assist in drafting materials like this posting, we do not use AI to evaluate applicants. Every application is reviewed by members of our team to ensure a fair and human-centered hiring process.

Accessibility & Accommodation

CanREA is an equal-opportunity employer with policies and practices intended to build an inclusive and accessible work environment. If you require accommodation during the recruitment process, please identify as much where prompted in the application form, and all efforts to provide the appropriate accommodation will be put into place.