Senior Manager, Business Administration, Regional Water

Summary of Duties:

Reporting to the Director, Regional Water, the Senior Manager, Business Administration provides utility management and business operations expertise with responsibilities in the planning, implementation and coordination of regulatory compliance and management system conformance programs, health and safety, utility security, and utility operations activities. This position works in a collaborative work environment with capital programs and financial management areas to achieve a consistent risk management approach for the long-term enterprise management of the utility. In consultation with team members, this position will lead a consolidated review and response to planning and development inquiries from municipalities and counties in the region to ensure the interests of the utility are protected and growth in the region are adequately incorporated into the long-term plans of the utility. This position assists the Director, Regional Water and designated Regional Water employees in the management of emergencies and contingency response for the utility.

Work Performed:

• Contribute to the development and implementation of strategic initiatives and tactical programs for the Regional Water systems to meet the Strategic Plans and directives of the Boards of Management for Elgin Area Water Supply and Lake Huron Water Supply.  Accountable for the effective delivery and business support responsibilities of the utility.
• Provide leadership for the planning, implementation, management, and administration for compliance and management system conformance-related programs, including environment, quality, and health and safety. Provide leadership in the coordination of utility business processes with management systems, working collaboratively to integrate the various aspects of the utility’s services and administration.
• Recommend, develop, implement, and maintain comprehensive policies, programs, business cases, procedures and protocols that inform and support the services of the utility. 
• Provide updates and information to the Director, Regional Water, on priorities with responsibility to operationalize identified goals and strategies, and coordinate with other service areas within the utility.
• Contribute to the identification and development of internal controls in the form of policies, procedures, practices in relation to the general and specific risks to utility; ensure internal controls are implemented, monitored and reported on within the utility.
• Provide coordinated leadership and oversee a team of management staff. Provide leadership in the execution and delivery of support services and programs in the following areas of accountability:
  • Quality assurance and compliance management, including environmental and quality management systems, regulatory and contractual reporting.
  • Health and safety management, including contractor safety management programs and Health & Safety Management system.
  • Utility security, including incident and emergency management, planning and managing business continuity and services, and the security of regional water facilities and assets.
  • Utility operations, including industrial control systems, information technology and cybersecurity.
  • Coordination and management of contracted services and vendor management.
  • Oversee and coordinate the development of energy procurement strategies as it relates to Class A Market Participant and Class B embedded customer programs, energy management services and programs, the development of Energy and Demand Management Plans, and the coordination of energy conservation, operational programs and demand management strategies.
  • In consultation and/or participation with other managers and subject matter experts in the utility, coordinate the liaison with municipalities and counties in the region related to planning and development inquiries received.

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• Encourage and support employee participation and commitment to divisional and organizational objectives.  Actively mentor, provide development opportunities and build team performance with direct reports.
• Manage the utility administration and operations team including hiring, administration and performance aspects of reporting staff.  Respond to sensitive and confidential human resource issues as required.
• Fairly and consistently administer provisions of various collective agreements to promote resolution of grievances. May be required to provide representation at mediation and arbitration proceedings.
• Build and support employee commitment to a high level of performance in all areas of customer service, employee safety and delivery of individual goals and objectives.  
• Participate in and support a culture of enterprise-wide collaboration across the utility, especially between municipalities and related service partners.  
• Demonstrate commitment to anti-racism, anti-oppression and human rights through interactions with interested parties, employees and individuals and ensure that policies, programs and protocols reflect this commitment. 
• Demonstrate commitment and adherence to Health and Safety legislation and programs and actively promote a culture of safety with direct reports. 
• Prepare reports and reviews for the Boards of Management as required. 
• Identify, adapt and implement innovative, efficient and effective work practices and procedures to improve service delivery and the business responsibilities of the team and the utility. 
• Build capacity among employees for evidence-informed decisions supported through data collection and analytics. 
• Adhere to the Procurement of Goods and Services and Disposal of Assets Policy, the Delegation of Powers and Duties By-law, and related by-laws and policies of the Boards of Management; includes the responsibility of delegation of procurement initiation approval authority and delegation of approval authority for professional consulting services. 
• Contribute to the development of the annual operation budgets and capital budgets for the utility.
• Manage the budget for utility administration and operations team, prepare associated documents (i.e., business plans, business cases and presentation documents) as required.  Manage and promote stewardship of financial and organizational resources. 
• Prepare responses to inquiries from elected officials, media and the public as requested by the Director, Regional Water, or Chief Administrative Officer for the utility.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in the management of a public utility, including thorough knowledge of Federal, Provincial, and Municipal regulations related to the operation of a municipal water system.
• Demonstrated in-depth understanding of municipal utility programs and services and how the work aligns with the objectives of the Regional Water systems. 
• Highly developed analytical and business planning skills with a proven track record for implementing and monitoring programs and services.
• Demonstrated successful experience in a people leadership role; positive and proactive leadership capabilities, adept at leading a group of employees, contracted services and consultants; demonstrated commitment to developing high performance teams. 
• Demonstrated ability to inspire the people they lead through productive and honest dialogue, with personal integrity and actions. 
• Ability to be a trusted advisor and/or advocate in sensitive and/or emotionally charged situations. 
• Demonstrated perseverance and resilience in addressing challenges and emergent issues. 
• Proven commitment to the safety of employees with knowledge of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and applicable regulations as it relates to the position. 
• Ability to provide a high level of attention to detail, make sense of data and solve problems. 
• Ability to understand the importance of service delivery; develop and implement initiatives that support the area’s customers in a timely and effective way.
• Ability to skillfully communicate to a wide and varied audience and effectively influence outcomes; political acumen to identify and manage issues. 
• Proven ability to establish purposeful relationships and work effectively within all levels of the corporation, with the business community and the public. 
• Focused analytical and strategic thinking and issue resolution skills, combined with a commitment to innovation and collaboration.  
• Computer literacy in Microsoft Office-365, SharePoint, and related software and database applications. 
   

Qualifications:

• A university degree in Planning, Business Administration, Public Administration or in a relevant area of study or equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Eight to ten years of increasingly responsible experience in utility management and/or municipal service delivery, and progressively responsible supervisory experience of union and non-union staff.
• A Diploma in Public Administration or Master’s Degree in Public Administration is an asset.
• Must possess a valid Class ‘G’ Driver’s Licence. 

Compensation & Other Information:

$114,390 - $150,079

This posting is for 1 permanent, full-time position.

Current hours of Work: Monday - Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

Work Arrangement: Hybrid. 

These hours of work and work arrangements are subject to change in accordance with business requirements.

Police Record Check

The successful candidate will be required to complete a Criminal Record Check.