Director of Light and Power

City of Swift Current

Type: Full Time
Salary/Pay Rate:$195,000 to $230,000
Posted Date: 06/29/2026
Deadline to Apply: 08/16/2026

This is a rare opportunity to lead a municipal electric utility through a period of increasing complexity, workforce and industry change. The City of Swift Current is seeking an experienced executive leader to provide strategic direction, strengthen operational resilience, and ensure the long-term sustainability of a critical public service.

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Director of Light and Power leads the City’s municipal electric utility, providing overall direction and accountability for its day-to-day operations and performance within a complex and highly regulated environment. The role is responsible for overseeing transmission and distribution systems, substations, and high-voltage infrastructure, ensuring effective service delivery supported by sound operational and financial management.

Working as part of the Senior Leadership Team, the Director ensures alignment with Council priorities while collaborating with other City utility and infrastructure leaders to coordinate operations, share expertise, and support integrated service delivery. The role also builds strong internal and external partnerships to support reliability, responsiveness, and organizational effectiveness.

A key focus is strengthening the department’s technical capacity and workforce through development and succession planning, ensuring the utility is supported by a capable and sustainable team. This requires sound judgment, strong leadership, and the ability to make effective decisions in a high-risk, high-visibility environment.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Strategic & Corporate Leadership

Participate in corporate strategic planning and contribute as an active member of the Senior Leadership Team
Provide professional, timely, and defensible advice and recommendations to City Council and senior administration
Develop and implement departmental strategies aligned with Council direction and corporate objectives
Lead long-term planning for utility infrastructure, operations, and financial sustainability
Represent the City before regulatory bodies, including the Saskatchewan Rate Review Panel
Build effective relationships with Council, senior leadership, stakeholders, regulators, and external partners

Utility Operations, Process Control & Systems Oversight

Provide executive oversight of the planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of the electrical system
Ensure performance and reliability of transmission and distribution systems, substations, and high-voltage infrastructure
Provide oversight of street and traffic lighting systems and metering
Establish and enforce operational standards, policies, procedures, and internal controls
Monitor system performance, regulatory requirements, and industry trends, implementing improvements where required
Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, provincial, and municipal legislation, regulations, codes, and standards

Financial Stewardship & Revenue Accountability

Lead operating and capital budgeting processes and long-term financial planning
Ensure strong financial controls and alignment between operational performance and financial outcomes
Develop, justify, and present utility rates, charges, and customer service policies
Lead regulatory submissions and rate applications, including presentations before the Saskatchewan Rate Review Panel
Support integrated infrastructure planning and financial sustainability across City utilities

Safety, Risk & Public Accountability

Champion a strong safety-first culture across all operations
Provide leadership for the Certificate of Recognition (COR) safety program
Ensure compliance with occupational health and safety legislation and industry best practices
Lead response to high-risk situations, including system outages, emergencies, and public-facing incidents
Identify, assess, and mitigate operational, financial, regulatory, and reputational risks
Be available to respond outside regular business hours to utility emergencies

Workforce Development, Team Effectiveness & Labour Relations

Lead the evolution and modernization of the Light & Power department
Develop strategies to attract, retain, and develop skilled technical employees
Build internal capacity through mentorship, training, and succession planning
Provide formal leadership beyond field-level supervision, including performance management and workforce planning
Lead within a unionized environment, including participation in labour relations and collective bargaining
Foster a respectful, accountable, and high-performing workplace culture

QUALIFICATIONS

Journeyman Power Line Technician (PLT); or Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering (power systems or electrical utility discipline); Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) designation is an asset
Minimum of fifteen (15) years of progressively responsible experience in electric utility operations
Demonstrated progression into senior leadership roles with accountability beyond field-level supervision
Experience working in a unionized environment
Technical experience with: Transmission and distribution systems; Substations and high-voltage infrastructure; and Utility system reliability
Proven senior management experience with responsibility for: Strategic planning and organizational performance; Financial management, including budgeting and capital planning
Leadership of multiple teams, functions, or operational areas
Must be legally entitled to work in Canada (i.e Canadian citizen or permanent resident)

WHY JOIN THE CITY OF SWIFT CURRENT

The City of Swift Current offers the opportunity to contribute to a community-focused organization where leadership, accountability, and service delivery have a direct and visible impact. The City values practical decision-making, strong governance, and a commitment to reliable essential services. Located in southwest Saskatchewan, Swift Current provides an exceptional quality of life, combining a strong sense of community with the amenities of a regional centre. Residents benefit from short commute times, access to outdoor recreation, and a balanced pace of life—while taking on meaningful leadership roles with real impact. To learn more, visit www.swiftcurrent.ca

Submit your cover letter, credentials, and resume to ***email_hidden***. Closing date is August 16, 2026 at 11:59 pm. Applications will be reviewed as they are received.

For confidential enquiries regarding this opportunity, qualified candidates may contact Dawne Hildebrandt, Director of People and Culture, at [email protected].

Thank you for your interest. We are only able to connect with candidates moving forward.