The Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) is responsible for the safe, reliable, and economic planning and operation of the Alberta Interconnected Electric System. We provide open and non-discriminatory access to Alberta’s interconnected power grid and also facilitate Alberta’s competitive wholesale electricity market. The AESO strives to foster an inclusive, diverse and equitable workplace where people feel respected and welcomed for who they are, together we deliver high performance and innovative results.
Job Description
If you are a current AESO employee or contractor, please view openings and apply through our internal site at Workday.
Reporting functionally to the Audit Committee and administratively to the Vice President, Finance and Compliance, the Director, Internal Audit is a senior, enterprise-wide leader responsible for setting the strategic direction for internal audit, risk, and compliance activities in alignment with the organization’s overall business objectives.
Operating at a highly strategic level, you will ensure that the organization’s most significant risks are clearly identified, rigorously assessed, and effectively mitigated, while helping executive leadership successfully deliver strategic initiatives and transformation priorities.
Accountabilities include but are not limited to:
Strategic Leadership & Direction
Establish and continuously evolve a strategic, enterprise-focused internal audit, risk, and compliance roadmap aligned to organizational strategy, risk appetite, and long-term objectives.
Set the strategic direction and priorities for internal audit and related risk and compliance activities to ensure focus on what matters most to the business.
Translate business strategy into a forward-looking, risk-based audit plan that addresses strategic, financial, operational, cyber, third-party, fraud, and project risks.
Position internal audit as a key contributor to enterprise resilience, performance, and value protection.
Governance, Risk & Board Assurance
Provide the Audit Committee with clear, integrated assurance over the effectiveness of governance, risk management, and control practices related to strategic objectives.
Elevate Board and executive understanding of enterprise and emerging risks, risk interdependencies, and systemic issues.
Ensure that management’s risk responses and mitigation strategies are aligned with business objectives and the organization’s risk appetite.
Bring difficult or uncomfortable issues forward, forcing the right conversations when risks, trade-offs, or accountabilities are unclear.
Enterprise Risk & Strategic Initiative Oversight
Oversee enterprise-level risk identification, assessment, and mitigation activities across key risk domains, including financial, regulatory, operational, cyber, third-party, fraud, ethics, capital projects, and transformation initiatives.
Provide independent risk insight on major strategic initiatives, ensuring risks are understood early and managed proactively.
Monitor risk trends and emerging issues that could impact the organization’s ability to achieve its objectives.
Lead or facilitate enterprise risk discussions that force clarity around risk ownership, risk appetite, and mitigation effectiveness.
Challenge management’s risk assessments and assumptions to ensure completeness, consistency, and transparency.
Ensure that significant risks are not only documented, but actively discussed, understood, and addressed at the appropriate leadership level.
Executive & Board Advisory
Serve as a strategic advisor to executive leadership and the Board, offering risk-informed perspectives on strategic decisions, transformation programs, and external developments.
Advise on emerging risks, regulatory changes, and strategic opportunities that may affect the organization’s risk profile or long-term success.
Act as a trusted sounding board to senior leaders while maintaining an objective, enterprise-wide perspective.
Internal Audit Leadership & Professional Practice
Lead and develop a high-performing internal audit function with strong business, analytical, and strategic capabilities.
Ensure audit work delivers insight, foresight, and practical recommendations.
Foster a culture of professional judgment, challenge, and continuous improvement.
Standards & Professional Practice
Ensure internal audit activities are conducted in accordance with professional standards and leading practices, maintaining appropriate objectivity while supporting business success.
What Success Looks Like
Internal audit is viewed as a strategic leadership function that shapes how risk, compliance, and assurance support business objectives.
The Audit Committee receives confidence that strategic and enterprise risks are well understood and actively managed.
Executive leadership actively seeks out internal audit’s perspective on major initiatives and emerging challenges.
The organization demonstrates stronger risk-informed decision-making and governance maturity over time.
What you’ll bring to us:
Bachelor’s degree or higher in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related discipline from an accredited college or university.
Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) designation or Chartered Accountant (CA).
10–12+ years of progressive experience in internal audit, risk management, or related assurance functions, including a minimum of four years in a management or leadership role
Experience in the electricity industry is considered an asset.
Demonstrated ability to apply strategic risk thinking to guide senior leadership decision-making and align risk insights with organizational priorities.
Proven experience engaging directly with executive leadership, with strong executive presence and the confidence to challenge assumptions, influence outcomes, and drive informed decision making.
Experience leading enterprise risk discussions, establishing clarity of roles, accountability, and mitigation expectations.
Strong professional judgment and skepticism when assessing risk scenarios and validating information used in decision-making.
Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to simplify complex concepts and deliver clear, persuasive messages.
Proven ability to translate complex risk assessments into actionable insights and practical mitigation strategies.
Demonstrated ability to build trusted relationships and influence across the organization.
A strong commitment to ethical standards and integrity.
Application deadline: February 23, 2026
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If you are contacted for a pre-screening and/or interview, please advise of any accommodation measures required to enable you to fully participate. Information received relating to accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially.
The Alberta Electric System Operator is unable to accept unsolicited agency resumes.
The Alberta Electric System Operator, and its members, officers, employees and agents (collectively, the "AESO") is committed to protecting personal information provided to it. When you submit your personal information to the AESO for the purpose of pursuing employment with the AESO, the collection, use and disclosure of personal information is in accordance with the provisions of the Protection of Privacy Act (POPA) of Alberta.
As noted, the AESO is mandated to maintain the safe and reliable operations of the provincial power grid. As part of meeting its obligations, the AESO may require the successful candidate to undergo a criminal background check for the position. This collection of personal information for the purposes of a check will be conducted in accordance with Section 4 of POPA.
What We Do
The Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) manages and operates the provincial power grid.
We're a not-for-profit organization serving in the public interest. We work with industry partners and the government to make sure reliable power is there when you need it. Whatever changes happen in the world, Albertans can rely on us to manage the electricity markets and meet your energy needs. From integrating renewable energy into your life to developing the grid, the future for electricity in Alberta looks bright.
What do we do
Manage and plan the power grid 24 hours a day
When you need power, you expect it. We work with industry partners to keep electricity flowing throughout the province. Our system controllers balance supply and demand 24/7, making sure four million Albertans have power when they need it.
Manage and operate the energy markets
In Alberta, companies own generation, transmission and distribution facilities. We dispatch the power sold by generators, using the lowest-priced electricity first and then the next lowest until the need for power has been satisfied. We also enforce transmission tariffs and regulations, keeping the market fair and open for everyone.
Plan the future of the system and its infrastructure
As Alberta grows, so does its need for electricity. We plan ahead and expand the grid, ensuring the right transmission lines are built as efficiently as possible. As the province moves away from coal-fired power plants, we're enabling investment in renewable energy. In everything we do, our eye is always on the future
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