Senior Solicitor

Job Title: Senior Regulatory Counsel
Company, Department: Nova Scotia Power, Corporate Regulatory Affairs
Location: Halifax, NS, Hybrid
Type of Employment: Regular, Full Time

Closing Date: June 05, 2023
Reference Number: 11188

The opportunity:

We are looking for a Senior Regulatory Counsel to join Nova Scotia Power’s Corporate Regulatory Affairs team. Our downtown based corporate head office is located along the Halifax waterfront, where we offer a hybrid work option enabling you to work from home 2 days each week.

Reporting to Senior Director Regulatory Affairs, you will lead a legal team that assists with the development and execution of strategies in rates and regulatory matters on behalf of Nova Scotia Power Incorporated.

The work of Senior Regulatory Counsel includes legal analysis, counseling, negotiating, pleading and document preparation and review, retaining and directing external consultants and counsel to assist with files as appropriate, working with internal business units and departments on issues relating to regulatory engagement of corporate strategic priorities, developing legal and regulatory strategies with respect to strategic files, and representing NS Power in proceedings before the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board in a wide variety of areas including rates-related matters, capital approval applications, rate design and Board-ordered audits.

Key elements of the role include:

The successful candidate will have primary responsibility to develop and maintain professional relationships with regulators and regulatory staff, customer advocates and other customer/stakeholder representatives, internal clients, customers, and industry groups. Key responsibilities include:

• Acting as lead counsel on behalf of the Company in proceedings before the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board.
• Overseeing regulatory filings and the preparation of associated testimony.
• Assisting in negotiations with external persons and organizations.
• Keeping abreast of NS Power’s legal and regulatory obligations under the Nova Scotia Public Utilities Act, the Electricity Act and regulations and other relevant legislation, as well as processes before the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board pursuant to the Utility and Review Board Act and regulations.
• Leading a team of skilled professionals and providing oversight and direction on files and regulatory processes.
• Leading regulatory stakeholder engagement sessions as appropriate.
• Providing advice to internal business units and leaders on key regulatory filings.
• You will be responsible for your personal safety and that of your co-workers by observing all Occupational Health and Safety Rules and Regulations.

What skills will make you successful?

As the ideal candidate you recognize yourself in most of the following competencies, and possess or are working towards the desired skills and experience listed below:

• The ideal candidate will have a J.D. or LL.B. and be qualified for membership in the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society.
• Five to ten years’ experience in a private law firm or an in-house legal department is required, with a preference for practice focused on litigation and/or administrative law.
• This position requires excellent leadership and communication skills, the ability to work both independently and with a team, and the ability to successfully manage a wide range of assignments simultaneously.
• Prior regulatory and utility experience and familiarity with energy law would be beneficial but are not required.

At Nova Scotia Power, our employees are our greatest strength. Our Leadership Competencies set standards that advance our business strategy, deliver results for customers, and provide career development for employees. As the ideal candidate, you contribute to a workplace where everybody goes home safe and believe that nothing is more important than the safety and health our employees. You demonstrate integrity with a high standard of work performance for yourself and your team and drive operational excellence for our customers. You encourage your team members to share new ideas and foster a flexible work environment where change is accepted as the norm. You help team members understand how their work relates to business goals and support the growth and development of your team, all while demonstrating respectful inclusive behavior in a productive work environment.

Why join our team at Nova Scotia Power?

• Flexibility: Hybrid work model with flexible remote workdays.
• Health & Wellbeing: A comprehensive benefits plan, access to a free on-site fitness center. Employee and Family Assistance Program, Porkopolis Membership, parental leave top-up plan and wellness benefits.
• Grow Your Career: Opportunities to advance within and between our affiliate companies, a focus on employee development and available sponsored education programs.
• Community Engagement & Care: Corporate investments in the places where our people live and work, mentoring opportunities, fundraising-matching & volunteer programs, and scholarships for children of employees.
• Competitive Compensation: A comprehensive benefits plan, short-term incentive plans and a Defined Contribution Pension Plan.

At Nova Scotia Power, we’re committed to providing safe, reliable electricity so that our customers and communities can thrive. We work across the province, from Yarmouth to Wreck Cove, to prevent power outages and to strengthen our electrical system—for today, and for the future.

As a subsidiary of Emera Inc, we provide 95% of the generation, transmission, and distribution of electrical power to approximately 540,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers. Our company is focused on new technologies to enhance customer service and reliability, reduce emissions, and add renewable energy.

We are proud to live and work in Nova Scotia. It’s why we work to understand how we can give back meaningfully, support local organizations and work collaboratively to enhance the communities we call home.

We believe that every unique perspective should be valued and that everyone should have a sense of safety and belonging—at work, and in our communities. Leveraging the thoughts of a diverse workforce helps us to be innovative and provide the best service to our customers.

If working in an environment focused on innovation, safety and putting customers and community first inspires you, we want to hear from you. Apply by June 05,2023 and tell us what excites you about this role.

Finally, we understand that experience comes in many forms. We’re dedicated to adding new perspectives to the team - so if your experience is close to what we’ve listed above, please consider applying. If you don’t quite see yourself in this role but want to join our team, please set up a Job Alert to learn about future opportunities.