Manager, Technical Development & Standards

JOB SUMMARY:

The Manager, Technical Development & Standards is accountable for providing leadership, technical governance, and strategic direction for the development, implementation, and management of engineering standards, equipment specifications, and procurement strategies that support SaskPower’s infrastructure, operational programs, and long‑term asset performance.

As a member of SaskPower’s management team, this role ensures that standardized, fit‑for‑purpose technologies and materials are adopted to enable safe, reliable, and cost‑effective infrastructure across the asset lifecycle. The position supports the organization by establishing consistent technical requirements and specifications that facilitate efficient planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of electrical infrastructure in the province.

This position focuses on researching, evaluating, and implementing technologies, driving innovation and standardization, and leading the technical interface with the supply chain and vendor community. The Manager is responsible for developing people, providing oversight of technical consistency, engaging the market, and ensuring that equipment and material standards align with corporate objectives, industry best practices, and lifecycle performance requirements.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

Leadership & People Management:

• Provide leadership, direction, coaching, and performance management to professional engineers, technologists, technicians, and consultants, ensuring clear accountability and alignment with departmental and corporate objectives.
• Support workforce planning, succession planning, and career development to maintain strong technical and procurement capability.
• Foster an engaged, inclusive, and safety‑focused work environment by modelling corporate values and leadership behaviours.

Technical Standards & Standardization

• Lead the development, implementation, governance, and continuous improvement of engineering standards, technical specifications, and application guides for transmission lines, substations, switching stations, protection, automation, and control systems.
• Drive equipment and material standardization to support efficient planning, constructability, maintainability, reduced lifecycle costs, and improved supply chain reliability.
• Ensure standards balance technical performance, availability, interoperability, risk, and long‑term maintainability.

Technology, Innovation & Market Intelligence

• Research, evaluate, and implement emerging technologies, equipment, and materials to improve safety, reliability, efficiency, and asset performance.
• Conduct ongoing market research to understand supplier capabilities, manufacturing trends, technology maturity, and innovation opportunities within the vendor community.
• Lead or support pilot initiatives and the controlled adoption of new or alternative technologies aligned with standardization and procurement strategies.

Procurement & Supply Chain / Vendor Interface

• Provide technical leadership and governance for procurement strategies, ensuring alignment between technical requirements, commercial considerations, timelines, and supply‑market conditions.
• Oversee the development of technical specifications, evaluation criteria, and technical inputs for competitive procurement processes.
• Support vendor evaluations, negotiations, factory acceptance testing, commissioning activities, and resolution of technical issues related to equipment and material supply.

Vendor & External Stakeholder Engagement

• Serve as the primary technical interface with equipment manufacturers, suppliers, consultants, and external technical organizations.
• Build and maintain effective relationships across the supply chain and vendor community to support innovation, standardization, risk mitigation, and long‑term supply continuity.
• Represent the organization in industry forums, standards bodies, and working groups related to equipment, materials, and technology development, as required.

Financial & Resource Management

• Manage financial, human, and technical resources effectively, ensuring work is delivered within approved budgets, timelines, and quality expectations.
• Identify efficiencies, best practices, and continuous improvement opportunities related to standards development and procurement activities.
• Ensure appropriate financial, administrative, and governance controls are applied within the area of responsibility.

Communication & Executive Support

• Participate in planning sessions and cross‑functional initiatives to align standards and procurement strategies with corporate priorities.
• Assist in the preparation and delivery of technical and strategic presentations as required.

Other Duties

• Perform other related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES:

• Degree in Electrical Engineering AND/OR
• Professional Engineering Designation (P.Eng.) AND/OR
• A minimum of seven (7) years of related experience in electric power systems, engineering standards, equipment specification development, or similar technical environments
• Strong people leader and team member with the ability to select, develop, and motivate professional and technical staff, and influence the performance of others
• Demonstrated ability to provide leadership, direction, and accountability while fostering employee engagement, teamwork, and development
• Results‑oriented thinker with the ability to manage complex, technical, and confidential issues with sensitivity and professionalism
• Strong understanding of engineering standards, technical governance, asset lifecycle considerations, and the application of industry best practices
• Ability to balance technical performance, risk, cost, and long‑term maintainability in decision‑making
• Demonstrated ability to foster a culture focused on safety, innovation, continuous improvement, and collaboration
• Strong communication skills with the ability to prepare and deliver information to senior leadership and other stakeholders
• Demonstrated skill in SaskPower’s competencies
• Must have a continuing record of professional development

A suitable combination of relevant education and experience may also be considered an asset