Manager, Portfolio Strategy

49339 - 
Toronto - 
Regular - 
Ongoing 
Hydro One is proud to be the largest electricity transmission and distribution provider in Ontario, serving nearly  1.4 
million 
customers. We have a long history in the industry with our roots dating back over 110 years to 1906. Since then, we have worked to grow and evolve to meet the changing needs of our customers and communities across Ontario. Today, we’re focused on providing exceptional customer service and ensuring we are building safe communities where we live, work and play.
It’s an exciting time to join the team at Hydro One!
Job Function:
Work closely with line of business stakeholders to influence and address 
their use of technology to improve their processes and work functions. 
Take an active role in the annual work program of complex technology 
projects over the full project life-cycle. Provide leadership, guidance 
and technical expertise in the management of projects, directing staff, 
contractors and vendor personnel with respect to execution of projects, 
monitoring of activities and achievements, maintenance of schedules and 
monitoring of costs.
Job Description:
Specific Accountabilities:
-Work closely with a variety of groups within the Company on 
several aspects of the annual program development and delivery function, 
including investment plan, business plan, budget, business case 
approvals, planning activities focusing on the integration of system and 
technology plans with the goals, objectives, budgets and strategies of 
the various line organizations. Be responsible of how the business will 
evolve through deployment of new technology.
-Work collaboratively with the other direct reports within the 
Department and stakeholders from lines of business to integrate diverse 
requests for technology changes relative to strategies and objectives, 
evaluate options and synthesize optimal specifications and timely plans 
for enhancements to the technology platform. Coordinate stakeholders to 
create consensus on requirements which will be translated into business 
applications. Facilitate documentation of these requirements. Ensure 
projects remain aligned to business strategies and requirements and 
account for ongoing sustainment impacts in a proactive fashion.
-Work with other utilities, regulatory bodies, professional 
services organizations, system software vendors and key stakeholders 
inside and outside of Canada as required to facilitate the timely and 
cost-effective delivery of the appropriate scope of projects in the best 
interest of the Company. Influence these other parties to adopt a course 
of action that is suitable for the Company. Liaise with specialists 
within and outside the company for the exchange of data and consultation 
in areas of mutual interests and to integrate the recommendations into 
the overall strategies and program plans. Make progress reports to 
supervisor and stakeholders at significant stages of work development.
-Manage staff engaged in the development and implementation of 
complex projects. Plan, schedule and assign the work, provide guidance 
and check the work to maintain quality, accuracy and productivity. 
Select an optimum course of action and make recommendations to 
Supervisor where alternative solutions are available.
-Manage staffing needs, interview/selection process, staff 
development and adherence to HR/Corporate policies and administer 
department budget. Monitor work progress and quality; conduct 
performance reviews and provide direction on problem areas. Provide 
effective recommendations to Supervisor concerning promotions, 
transfers, pay, disciplinary action, etc. of staff within the department 
per collective agreements. Develop succession plans and provide on the 
job staff development. Monitor and recommend changes to control and meet 
targets.
-Take an active role in highly complex multi-year projects aimed 
at implementing required new functions, system evolution and sustainment 
refresh of the technology supporting multiple lines of business within 
the Company. Manage several small to mid-size projects while estimating, 
planning and overseeing entire program of in-scope projects being 
implemented by other project managers, technical staff and service 
providers.
-Help create and support implementation of Project Management best 
practices within the Program Management Office. Facilitate, with other 
areas of BIT, the application of standards, methodologies and 
architectures.
-Provide guidance for the evaluation of ISD proposals.
-Manage and maintain project plans, develop action plans for 
issues, track risk mitigation plans, make recommendations as necessary 
to advance project. Review project and project status documentation for 
integrity, accuracy and timeliness. Report on project status and metrics 
including progress, earned value metrics, baseline, forecast and actual 
dates, costs and scope to external and internal stakeholders. Create & 
maintain a project library and coordinate the collection and filing of 
project documentation for audit and continuous improvement purposes. 
 
Managerial Accountabilities
-Manage and motivate staff and contractors on projects to deliver 
project methodology results within budget and schedule.
-Influence behavior of vendors and service providers to achieve desired results.
-Communicate and translate Hydro One Strategies and direction to 
staff, contractors and vendors to align project objectives in achieving 
goals within the Strategy
-Build team alignment amongst staff, contractors and vendor 
personnel with diverse backgrounds many of whom will be working together 
for the first time, for during the duration of a project.
-Demonstrate business acumen by translating technical options into 
business objectives.
-Resolve technical, business and personnel issues; escalate 
unresolved issues in a timely manner to supervisors. 
 
Accountability for the output of others:
-Set appropriate expectations, priorities and context for 
subordinates (i.e., Corporate and Network Asset Management objectives, 
strategies and policies, accountabilities, tasks, budget and programs, 
compliance and performance targets, expectations for continuous 
improvement, etc).
-Work with supervising subordinates to set an effective framework 
of policies and procedures for the work of the unit.
-Know, and ensure own and subordinates# compliance with all legal 
and regulatory requirements and all Hydro One corporate and business 
unit policies and procedures, and generally accepted practices relating 
to the work of the business.
-Establish a two-way working relationship with subordinates to 
solicit their views on conditions and potential changes affecting their 
work, and establishing continuous improvement program opportunities. 
 
Maintaining a team that is capable of producing the outputs required:
-Contribute to the development and implementation of a staffing 
strategy for the Operations Technology Department that will ensure the 
long term sustainment of the high expertise resources required for this 
function. Develop and mentor subordinates and implement other strategies 
to ensure smooth succession.
-Ensure staff is able and willing to produce the desired output
-Assess staff capability to do the required work now and in the 
future
-Conduct staff performance reviews to improve staff effectiveness 
 
Providing a safe and healthy work environment:
-Provide staff with appropriate knowledge, skills, information, 
work procedures and equipment to facilitate responsible behaviour which 
will protect their safety and contribute to their health
-Provide a work environment and facilities where health and safety 
incidents are minimized and employees are not dissatisfied
-Provide a work environment that supports and values diversity and 
is free from harassment
-Know and ensure that subordinates comply with all legal and 
regulatory requirements, Corporate business unit and local policies and 
procedures, and generally accepted practices related to their work
 
Selection Criteria:
Technical Knowledge:
-BA or BSc in Computer Science, Engineering or other equivalent 
education
-At least 10 years experience and track record of managing and 
delivering technology projects over the full project life-cycle.
-Strong knowledge and experience with application software 
packages and network/telecommunication and hardware solutions
-Strong knowledge and experience with the unique aspects of 
critical real-time applications
-Experience with Electricity Transmission and Distribution 
Operations would be an asset
-Requires experience related to business planning and budgeting, 
work program development and prioritization, business case approval 
processes and policy development.
-Requires a knowledge of business writing for the preparation of 
business planning documents, presentations, business case approval 
documents, briefing materials, etc.
 
Demonstrated Management Skills:
-Team leadership ability to take a role as leader of a team or 
other group
-Client Service Orientation # desire to help others, to understand 
and then meet their needs.
-Excellent communication and facilitation skills.
-Initiative takes proactive action wherever possible.
-Team player able to work with others as part of a team, as 
opposed to working separately or competitively.
-Business Focus - ability to understand business objective