Sr Manager, Municipal Relations

50615 - Toronto - Temporary 12 months

Hydro One is proud to be the largest electricity transmission and distribution provider in Ontario, serving nearly 1.5 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!

Specific Accountabilities

• Lead the development and implementation of Hydro One's consultation plans, strategies, programs and initiatives in support of the Company's billion dollar work program
• Influence business decisions related to the Company's work program to maintain the Company's reputation and manage risks
• Advance the Company's position with municipalities, communities and stakeholder groups to build social license and obtain project approvals - driving efficiencies and enabling projects to be successfully executed on time and on budget
• Deliver presentations to and conduct negotiations with Municipalities and key stakeholder groups to influence positive business outcomes
• Manage contracts with external vendors in excess of $1M
• Establish and maintain contacts at the highest level of the provincial and municipal government and external agencies
• Manage government relations activities including:
  • Interactions with various municipal groups such as AMO, NOMA, FONOM, OEM, OWM,, ROMA
  • Interfaces with IESO and other LDCs in support of Regional Supply Plans across the province
  • Interact with external stakeholders such as FOCA and OGRA
• Represent Public Affairs at Strategic Planning and Project Steering Committee meetings
• Provide Public Affairs support to various lines of businesses by ensuring that the programs meet their goals, enable process redesign, enable the improvement and implementation of business change programs, and ensure that LOB programs are clearly understood by Hydro One's external stakeholders and shareholder
• Develop plans in collaboration with Environmental Planning, Real Estate, First Nations and Metis Relations, Engineering and Project Delivery and other departments and group, as appropriate
• Develop surveys and other feedback mechanisms for public consultation processes and events.
• Participate and organize public meetings, information sessions and planning sessions tied into Hydro One's public consultation and community engagement programs. Manage logistical aspects of consultation events and e-consultations.
• Develop and use a wide range of public consultation techniques, including in person, online and through social media.
• Manage Company messaging and all logistics, and notification for formal, municipal-type public hearings
• Work with the Manager, Corporate Communications to develop public consultation materials, including display boards, info sheets, and presentations
• Assist with communications and community relations activities, as required
• Lead and develop all messaging for public meetings and internal meetings, as required.
• Train all staff on best in class practices for public consultation and ensure they are equipped with project messaging in advance of participating in public meetings
• Provide analysis and reporting for consultation processes including summarizing input from consultation exercises for relevant planning teams and writing reports and consideration memos.
• Lead development opportunities for the Company to build strong rapport and relationships with all stakeholder groups, allowing for open and constructive communication and achievement of Corporate and Communications objectives.
• Ensure all consultations at Campus and Community Planning are compliant with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA).
• Assess success of consultation approaches for discussion with the Director, Corporate Communications and others, as appropriate.
• Provide advice and operational support to management in the development of the Company's strategic communication positions, consultation strategies, key messages, and background briefing material on corporate and Business Unit (BU) issues.
• Manage and supervise Public Affairs staff, oversee their development and work structure, and measure outcomes of the public affairs program, in accordance with the principles of Craft of Management.
• Act as a conduit between the Company and stakeholders, local officials and communities to engender awareness of, and support for, various Company projects, programs and initiatives. Ensure relationships are managed in a manner that enhances and/or improves the Company's corporate reputation. Initiate programs to earn community respect and confidence.
• Monitor and analyze the community and public environment to determine requirements for communication and consultation. Research, forecast and evaluate the effects of public policy on an organization, using public sources, political intelligence and personal contacts. Keep abreast of industry news and developments, legislative developments, and stakeholder and opinion leader positions on issues important to the company in order to anticipate and plan for local developments. Monitor and attend select committee hearings, council meetings and other events to identify and manage new issues.
• Develop and maintain effective and strategic relationships with local opinion leaders, municipal and provincial elected officials, and municipal staff. Identify communication strategies to correct misunderstandings, to update the public record, and to manage conflicting and emerging issues.
• Organize and coordinate company participation in a wide range of public events including community events, fairs, trade shows, and public meetings.
• Identify, plan, organize, moderate and execute public meetings and special events in a manner that ensures full participation of all stakeholders. Make presentations to elected officials and stakeholder groups. Maintain formal records of consultation meetings, public proceedings and correspondence so that community and stakeholder input forms part of the consultation record. Establish and maintain profile and updates of community projects and initiatives on the Company's external web site.
• Coordinate and write the production of graphic and narrative presentations. Write clear and compelling communication materials, including, but not limited to: correspondence, consultation reports, newsletters, briefing notes, media materials, and brochures.
• Procure services of external suppliers (e.g. consultants, freelance writers, etc.) and contracts development of communications, products, and services pursuant to the Company's procurement policy.
• Respond to requests for information from multiple sources in a timely and professional manner, ensuring that communication appropriately resolves issues and presents the Company in the best possible light.
• Manage project budgets and maximize the impact of each government and external relations dollar, including negotiating best rates from external service deliverers where applicable.
• Provide strategic communication advice and operation support to field staff on local issues. Ensure professional and appropriate coordination of local communication and consultation issues. Identify strategies and tactics that bring positive resolution to local issues.
• Develop project messaging and act as a spokesperson for public consultation and community outreach, when appropriate. Act as Company spokesperson on various consultation and sensitive issues and for after hour emergencies.
• Identify and orchestrate publicity efforts and activities in cooperation with media relations personnel.
• Make effective recommendations on human resource issues including career counseling, hiring, discharge, interviewing, discipline and resolving work performance problems

At Hydro One we understand that the success and strength of our business rests with our people. When we develop their skills, we are investing in both their success and ours. To secure the best talent, we seek to create a workforce that reflects the diverse populations of the communities where we live and work and to create a culture based on safety, innovation and inclusiveness.

We are honoured to be recognized by Forbes in its list of Canada’s Best Employers for 2025.

Thank you for considering a career with Hydro One, we welcome applications from all qualified candidates. If you are having difficulty using our online application system and you need an accommodation due to a disability, please email careers@hydroone.com. Hydro One will provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities in the job application process.

Please note this email is only for accommodation requests. Resumes sent to this email address will not be considered.

"Employer of the year 2025"

Deadline: August 19, 2025.

In the event you are experiencing difficulties applying to this job please consult our help page here.

We thank all applicants for their interest in a career at Hydro One; however, only those candidates who are selected for an interview will be contacted.