CanREA — Director, Ontario

The Role 

CanREA is looking to fill the position of Director, Ontario, on a full-time, permanent basis.  

Reporting to the Vice-President, Policy & Government Affairs, the Director is responsible for serving as CanREA’s key representative for members in Ontario. The Director is responsible for member engagement and is expected to liaise with a range of relevant stakeholders, seeking to identify and act on opportunities to advance and grow the presence of CanREA, and our industries in Ontario. This requires managing and leading CanREA’s policy work and presence within the region, as well as providing information and insights from the region to CanREA’s senior management team and other staff. 

The Director manages and leads CanREA’s Ontario Caucus. A key element of this position is the development and implementation of strategies to pursue CanREA’s strategic policy objectives through research, development, collaboration, advocacy and implementation, consistent with CanREA’s organizational priorities and values. CanREA policy roles, such as this, have a high level of interdependency with other team members, spanning the depth and breadth of the organization. Our objectives are achieved through collaboration. 

Duties and Responsibilities

Policy, Regulatory Development and Advocacy   

  • Manage and lead CanREA’s Ontario Caucus and Steering Committee. 
  • Define and implement Caucus priorities in collaboration with Caucus members and Steering Committee members, informed by CanREA’s overall objectives and priorities. 
  • Communicate CanREA’s priorities and other relevant information to Caucus members, Steering Committee members as well as to government, regulators, system operators, utilities and other stakeholders. 
  • Represent CanREA’s member interests in Ontario with all relevant stakeholders, including but not limited to the IESO, OEB, government and government agencies.  

Relationship Management  

  • Build and maintain positive relationships, partnerships, and networks with CanREA members, namely CanREA’s Ontario Caucus 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.  

Strategy and Leadership   

  • Work in close collaboration with the Vice-President, Policy & Government Affairs, as well as CanREA’s other Policy Directors, on issues related to the organization’s future development and the establishment of its annual strategic objectives and budget. 
  • Manage the caucus operational budgets effectively and efficiently. 
  • Prepare updates and strategic advice to CanREA’s Policy Team and Management on issues relating to Ontario policies and regulations. 
  • Collaborate with the full CanREA team to support the achievement of organizational outcomes, including the pursuit and retention of CanREA members, including CanREA’s Ontario members. 
  • Act as a spokesperson as required for CanREA at events and in the media. 
  • Support the Business Development team in pursuing new revenue streams and opportunities for collaboration with stakeholders, governments and relevant agencies.  

Communications and Events  

  • Write and manage a monthly policy and regulatory report for the Caucus, 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, including virtual events. 
  • Represent CanREA at various conferences or stakeholder meetings and events. 

Please note other duties may be assigned as needed to meet the evolving needs of the Association and its mandate.  

Qualifications

  • University degree in a relevant area of study, or an acceptable combination of education and relevant experience. 
  • Minimum of 7 years experience in the energy sector, or with energy and environment policy.   
  • Demonstrated knowledge of the renewable energy sector and/or energy and environment policy is required.  
  • Experience working with, or for, membership-based associations is an asset. 
  • Outstanding written communication skills, with experience and comfort writing for external, executive and social media audiences. 
  • Outstanding verbal communication skills, with the ability to speak publicly, synthesize complex ideas, and communicate them to internal and external stakeholders, in a straightforward, easy to understand manner. 
  • Consensus-building and facilitation skills, with the ability to facilitate large groups, and work with individuals to develop consensus positions on complex issues of technical and political nature. 
  • Business knowledge, and the ability to understand key business considerations for maximizing returns for a long-lived capital asset. 
  • Ability to advocate policy positions at both the bureaucratic and political level within government, utilities or regulatory bodies. 
  • Ability to recognize opportunities for growth and development by identifying, articulating and executing new value positions for CanREA membership. 
  • Ability to develop relationships and networks, facilitate large groups, and work with individuals to develop consensus positions on complex issues of a technical and political nature. 
  • Ability to balance independence with productive teamwork, thanks to your strong work ethic, conscientiousness, time-management skills, organizational abilities, emotional intelligence and two-way communication skills. 
  • Ability to work well under pressure, maintaining discretion, tact, good judgement, respect for others and a sense of humour, even when moving at top speed or adapting to changing priorities and deadlines. 
  • Ability to work with considerable autonomy, identifying and acting on regional issues, while able to recognize the need to escalate and seek consultation with Senior Directors and the Vice-President of Policy & Government Affairs. 
  • Knowledge of Microsoft applications, including Microsoft Teams. 
  • Fluency in English (written and spoken) is required. French (written and spoken) is an asset. 
  • Experience working in a remote capacity, and continued ability to do so, is required.  
  • Ability to travel 10 to 15% of the time, mainly across Canada. 

Benefits 

  • Competitive salary plus potential for annual performance bonus. 
  • Employer-matched RRSP contributions. 
  • Competitive health & dental plan. 
  • Three weeks paid vacation. 
  • Paid time off Dec 20 to Jan 1. 
  • Financial support for setting up ergonomic home office. 

Location 

Our team has moved to an entirely remote working arrangement. Occasional travel (10-15%) is anticipated, mainly across Canada. 

Who We Are 

The Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA) is the voice for wind energy, solar energy and energy storage solutions that will power Canada’s energy future. We work to create the conditions for a modern energy system through stakeholder advocacy and public engagement. Our 300+ members are uniquely positioned to deliver clean, low-cost, reliable, flexible and scalable solutions for Canada’s energy needs. 

To Apply 

Please send your resume, with a cover letter indicating why you are uniquely qualified for this position, to hwatters@businesssherpagroup.com by 5 p.m. (ET) on Friday, June 9, 2023. 

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

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 include this in your cover letter and all efforts to provide the appropriate accommodation will be put into place.