Senior Consultant, Business Optimization

Expected Salary Range: $109832 - $137290 Annually

Target Variable Performance Pay: 10%

The salary range shown above reflects the expected  compensation for this position. The final salary offered will be determined based on a holistic assessment of the candidate’s experience, education, training, and alignment with the role’s requirements. For positions covered by a collective agreement, placement within the range will follow the applicable step or classification.

Responsible for leading Toronto Hydro's most complex business optimization and productivity initiatives with significant autonomy and executive visibility. Acts as senior project manager for high-impact, high-complexity business optimization projects aimed at improving organizational efficiency, performance, and productivity in alignment with the corporate strategy.

Leads complex business optimization problem-solving and expert options analysis, designing and executing comprehensive assessments of productivity opportunities that directly inform executive and Board decision-making.

Owns the portfolio intake and opportunity evaluation process, independently defining business case requirements, screening criteria, and governance structures for new strategic opportunities. Serves as trusted advisor to executives and business leaders on productivity and efficiency matters, providing strategic counsel and challenging organizational thinking on resource optimization.

The incumbent is responsible for independently conducting cost-benefit and ROI analyses; building business cases, implementation plans, and benefits realization frameworks; executing comprehensive project and portfolio reporting for leadership audiences; and making autonomous decisions on project direction and go/no-go recommendations within delegated authority.

Designs and implements new tools, methodologies, and frameworks to advance business optimization and benefits realization practices across the organization. Builds and maintains strategic relationships at senior organizational levels (Director+) with internal stakeholders and business units to drive collaboration, influence operational improvements, and maintain an enterprise-wide perspective on productivity opportunities.

Provides mentorship and guidance to team members on complex business optimization and project management challenges. Partners closely with Finance and Enterprise Risk Management to quantify, validate, and track realized and forecasted benefits, ensuring alignment of productivity outcomes with the annual business plan and corporate strategic objectives.

This posting is for an existing vacancy.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead the organization’s business optimization function by partnering with Senior Leadership to establish and strengthen the organization’s approach to productivity and benefits realization, including identifying and prioritizing efficiency opportunities across departments
• Drive end‑to‑end benefits realization by conducting cost‑benefit and ROI analyses, and collaborating with Finance and business leaders to quantify, validate, and track realized and forecasted benefits, while supporting the design and implementation of process improvements
• Serve as the entry point for new strategic opportunities, applying screening criteria to assess alignment with Toronto Hydro’s strategic priorities
• Conduct initial business-case assessments (feasibility, benefits, resources) and facilitate sponsor discussions to recommend go/no-go decisions for executive approval
• Develop the structure for overseeing execution of projects to ensure alignment with Toronto Hydro’s strategic and business optimization objectives, defining scope and success measures, developing detailed project plans, and ensuring delivery on time, within scope, and on budget using appropriate controls, KPIs, and performance tools
• Manages high-impact business optimization initiatives, applying strong facilitation and planning skills to ensure successful execution and alignment with the corporate strategic plan
• Develops strategic internal relationships to understand Business Unit needs, support the achievement of their goals, while maintaining a holistic, enterprise-wide strategic perspective
• Acts as a strategic advisor in business optimization and productivity for leadership and the Executive Team
• Prepares and delivers executive‑level materials and reports for the Executive Team and Board, highlighting productivity outcomes, benefits (realized/forecasted), portfolio status, and key decision points to support informed governance and decision‑making

REQUIREMENTS:

Education & Experience:

• Undergraduate degree in Business Administration, Engineering, Accounting, Finance, Economics, or a related field; Master's degree (MBA, MPA, Engineering Management) is an asset
• Seven (7) or more years of progressive experience in business optimization, productivity improvement, and operational excellence, with demonstrated track record managing high-complexity initiatives and cross-functional collaboration at senior organizational levels
• Experience with electrical utility or other highly regulated industries required; deep knowledge of Ontario's electricity sector and utility operations is highly desirable
• Professional designation or certification (PMP, Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, change management, Certified Management Consultant, or related field) strongly preferred
• Previous internal or external experience in management consulting, business transformation, or productivity consulting strongly preferred, with demonstrated application of structured problem-solving methodologies
• Experience in process improvement methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma, value stream mapping) and/or digital transformation initiatives is a strong asset

Technical Expertise & Business Optimization Capability:

• Expert project management skills with proven ability to independently lead high-complexity, high-stakes business optimization initiatives from ambiguous problem definition through benefits realization
• Deep understanding and expert application of business optimization methodologies, productivity frameworks, process improvement techniques (Lean, Six Sigma, business process reengineering), and change management best practices
• Deep knowledge of the electricity sector and market, including utility operations (customer service, field operations, capital delivery), regulatory frameworks (Ontario Energy Board rate-making), and utility cost structures
• Expert understanding of operational efficiency drivers and productivity levers across utility functions with ability to independently identify and quantify improvement opportunities
• Advanced proficiency in portfolio management, intake evaluation, and opportunity screening methodologies with ability to design prioritization frameworks
• Strong expertise in cost-benefit analysis, business case development, financial modeling, ROI calculation, and benefits realization tracking
• Advanced proficiency in project management tools, process mapping software, data analytics platforms, and Microsoft Office Suite
• Knowledge of performance management systems, KPI frameworks, and balanced scorecard approaches

Advanced Analytical & Problem-Solving:

• Superior strategic and analytical thinking skills with ability to diagnose organizational inefficiencies, structure ambiguous problems, design diagnostic approaches independently, and develop actionable recommendations
• Advanced data analytics and financial acumen including complex cost modeling, productivity benchmarking, variance analysis, capacity planning, and workforce optimization
• Ability to synthesize diverse operational and financial data from multiple sources and distill insights for executive and Board consumption
• Deep business and financial acumen with understanding of utility economics, regulatory cost recovery, capital vs. operating trade-offs, and financial drivers
• Proven ability to challenge operational assumptions, identify root causes of inefficiency, and provide alternative optimization approaches

Executive Communication & Advisory:

• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills with proven ability to prepare Board-level materials, facilitate executive discussions, and deliver compelling presentations on productivity outcomes and business cases to senior audiences
• Executive presence and demonstrated ability to serve as trusted advisor to C-suite executives and senior business leaders on business optimization and efficiency matters
• Ability to effectively communicate complex productivity analyses, influence organizational direction on resource allocation, and drive operational change across all levels of the organization including Board of Directors
• Proven ability to anticipate executive questions on ROI and benefits realization, address concerns proactively, and deliver recommendations on efficiency improvements with credibility

Senior Stakeholder Leadership:

• Exceptional stakeholder management skills with proven ability to build and maintain strategic relationships at senior organizational levels (Director, VP, C-suite) across diverse business units
• Strong political acumen and change management expertise with ability to navigate organizational resistance, build coalitions for efficiency initiatives, and manage competing stakeholder interests during transformation efforts
• Strategic business focus with demonstrated commitment to partnering with business units as productivity consultant and trusted advisor while maintaining enterprise-wide optimization perspective
• Proven ability to influence without formal authority, negotiate resource commitments, and drive consensus across organizational silos on contentious optimization decisions
• Skilled at positioning productivity initiatives as enabling business success rather than cost-cutting exercises

Leadership & Professional Attributes:

• Exceptional organizational and time management skills, with proven ability to independently manage portfolio of multiple high-complexity optimization initiatives simultaneously while tracking benefits realization
• High degree of autonomy and self-direction with minimal supervision required; ability to make sound go/no-go recommendations and prioritization decisions under ambiguity
• Highly comfortable navigating ambiguity, organizational complexity, and resistance to change in dynamic operational environments
• Demonstrated ability to mentor and develop junior team members, providing guidance on complex business optimization and project management challenges
• Thought leadership capability with ability to design new productivity methodologies, introduce innovative optimization approaches, and advance organizational operational excellence capabilities
• Strong desire to continuously learn, stay current on industry best practices, and add measurable value in challenging and changing utility environment
• Professional maturity with proven ability to maintain confidentiality on sensitive operational, financial, and efficiency-related matters

TOTAL REWARDS

To support the overall well-being and success of our employees, Toronto Hydro provides a comprehensive total rewards package which includes:

• 100% employer paid Health & Dental benefits
• 24/7 access to Employee & Family Assistance Program and Virtual Healthcare
• Company-paid life insurance and long term disability
• Spending account to support fitness goals (e.g. gym memberships)
• Competitive paid time off (including vacation and parental leave)
• Defined Benefits Pension Plan through OMERS
• Career development and tuition reimbursement
• Exciting employee engagement and appreciation events throughout the year

This position is based in a hybrid environment allowing for remote work two days per week, based on business needs. Employees will be required to come onsite Tuesday to Thursday. You are expected to live in Ontario and within reasonable commuting distance of the office.

Toronto Hydro is committed to leveraging new technologies to support an efficient and inclusive recruitment process. As part of this, artificial intelligence (AI) systems may be used to assist in screening, assessing, or selecting applicants for this position. These tools are used in combination with human decision-making to ensure fairness and consistency. 

ACCESSIBILITY AND APPLICATION SUPPORT

Toronto Hydro is committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. Thank you for considering a career with Toronto Hydro. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates. If you’re having difficulty using our online application system and require accommodation, please email hr_talent@torontohydro.com or call (416) 542-8000. Toronto Hydro is pleased to provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals throughout the job application process. Please note this email is for accommodation requests only. Resumes sent to this email address will not be considered. Learn more about our commitment to accessibility.