Vice President, Capital Construction & External Programs

Toronto Hydro is a leading electricity utility committed to delivering excellent customer service, providing a safe and reliable supply of electricity, and delivering long-term value to the city of Toronto. As a diverse, inclusive and high performing organization, we accelerate the city’s modernization, growth and sustainability in a safe and innovative manner. As we navigate a rapidly evolving energy landscape, we are seeking a Vice President, Capital Construction and External Programs.

As a member of the Senior Leadership team, the Vice President will report to the EVP and Chief Operating Officer to provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the end-to-end execution of capital and operating and external demand work programs completed by external resources including planned capital and maintenance programs, customer connection and transit expansion and city agency projects. The incumbent will additionally oversee facilities, warehouse and fleet operations and provides guidance and leadership for annual operations business unit project management activities. They will foster a positive and inclusive workplace culture, leading and mentoring a diverse team, identifying best practices and opportunities for improvement in safety, productivity, and technology. They will also be responsible for root cause identification in reliability, quality, and failure investigations to ensure continual improvement and operational excellence.

In this role the Vice President will have a major cross-functional impact within Toronto Hydro, and in turn, on the City of Toronto, our customers, and other critical stakeholders with a focus in developing and executing organizational strategy, and be fully accountable for delivering on Toronto Hydro’s commitments to stakeholders. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Oversees and guides the forecasting, planning, execution and reporting for the on time, on budget, end-to-end design and construction of planned capital and operating programs and externally initiated program portfolios (customer connections, transit expansion/city agency completed by externally allocated resources and the delivery of facilities and fleet and equipment services for the organization. 
• Through external auditing, oversees and guides the application of organizational design and construction standards (for externally completed work program).
• Acts as escalated point of contact to resolve execution work program issues and risks, collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to develop and implement solutions as required.
• Develops business unit plans to build capabilities and drive productivity in externally executed work program design and construction to advance organizational strategies and productivity to achieve outcomes and agility in the delivery of capital and operating program execution.
• Confirms day-to-day systems, processes and activities are delivered safely, on time, on budget in accordance with quality standards and customer expectations. 
• Develops strategies and plans to continually improve systems and processes within the operations division to continuously advance safety performance, promote a sustainable and reliable grid, meet evolving customer needs or maximize shareholder value. 
• Develops strategies and provides leadership for facilities, fleet and equipment services program and optimization while working collaboratively across operations, makes recommendations on the prioritization of initiatives and oversees execution and cost savings/benefit realization from the initiatives.
• Oversees and provides strategic leadership for the coordination of external demand programs, including planned capital and maintenance programs, customer connection projects and transit expansion and city agency projects.  Manages complex relationships with external stakeholders (such as Metrolinx, City of Toronto, Toronto Transit Commission) to mitigate risks and take action to confirm the on time, on budget completion of external demand projects and programs. 
• Leads the contractor safety management program within Operations to confirm that requirements, compliance and standards are being met by external workforce.
• Responsible to achieve organizational goals related to safety, productivity and reliability through safely managing resources effectively, maintaining operational excellence as part of the organization’s internal responsibility system.
• Reviews inspection and investigation findings (proactive and reactive), and acts to continually mitigate risks and create opportunities to improve safety performance.
• Coaches and develops a team of senior leaders to facilitate the day-to-day capital construction and external demand program functions.
• Confirms systems, processes, standards and methodologies are in place to provide safe, reliable capital construction and external demand activities that comply with required internal and external quality standards and applicable regulations and legislation. 
• Manages business unit performance, attendance, talent acquisition, development, succession and engagement in accordance with organizational systems and programs and acts to close gaps as required.
• Builds and manages relationships with external contractor vendors to confirm capacity and capabilities for capital and operating work program completion and the delivery of facilities, fleet and equipment services for the organization. 
• In collaboration with Supply Chain, leads the competitive bid-process for the outsourcing of electrical contractor (and associated audit) work and manages compliance and performance based on agreed upon terms and conditions for contracts.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Undergraduate degree in Engineering; a combination of relevant technical education and utility operations experience may be considered.
• Fifteen (15) or more years experience with a focus on electrical utility operations (design and construction, asset management, engineering). Experience in gas or telecommunications may be considered.
• Ten (10) years’ of progressive leadership experience, preferably in a unionized environment, minimum of three (3) years of senior management people leadership experience.
• Registered Professional Engineer (P.Eng) in the Province of Ontario preferred.
• Masters level degree in Business Administration or Engineering preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and managing strategic partnerships with internal/external stakeholders.
• Proven ability to engage with executives, senior leadership teams, and board members (as required) on operational matters.
• Strong knowledge of the utilities sector, including electrical and civil design and construction.
• Senior leadership level problem solving and decision-making, strategic planning and project management skills.
• Strong financial acumen and budget management, including management of budget and scope changes for external projects.
• Crisis and emergency response leadership skills.
• Strong talent development and team leadership skills.
• Strong Influence and negotiation skills.
• Stakeholder management and engagement skills.
• Strong performance management and labour relations management skills.
• Understands best practices in contractor management.
• Invests in building valuable relationships across the organization and externally to support the future of Toronto Hydro.
• Recognizes personal development and a strong organizational culture as integral components of an effective organization supporting diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Invests in innovation, continuous improvement and productivity as essential drivers of long-term sustainability.
• Has a clear sense of corporate direction and expectations, and holds self and others accountable to achieve objectives.
• Manages risks to protect the health and safety of employees and the public, and shows commitment to sustainability.
• Models customer-focussed approach in all decisions and actions.
• Board room verbal and communication skills with an ability to present and communicate concisely and clearly to a variety of audiences, including in times of crisis.

Toronto Hydro has introduced a Hybrid Work Arrangement. This position allows for remote work up to three days per week, based on business needs.  Employees will be required to come onsite on those days when they are involved in activities that they or their leader feel are better conducted in person. You are expected to live in Ontario and within reasonable commuting distance of the office.

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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 our Talent Acquisition team 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.