EPCOR Careers

Highlights of the job

EPCOR Water Services (EWS) is seeking an experienced and strategic Senior Advisor to join our Operational Excellence team on a permanent full-time basis working out of our Rossdale Water Treatment Plant site in Edmonton, AB.  In this role you will ensure that projects comply with the appropriate established methodologies, that they meet process owner requirements through high employee adoption and that the appropriate metrics are used to measure progress as well as the achievement and sustainment of the required results.

As a member of the Regulatory and Operational Excellence team, the Senior Advisor, Operational Excellence leads redesign and improvement projects that is pivotal in identifying, analyzing and implementing process enhancements that significantly uplift organizational performance. They provide specialized expertise in process improvement, business process redesign, facilitation, project management and change management to the Water Services Business Unit. This includes:

• leading and facilitating process improvement and process design teams
• ensuring the integration and documentation of processes
• developing and completing project management documentation
• developing communication and change strategies to support the implementation of process improvement initiatives

We are accepting applications from both current EPCOR employees and External candidates at this time. EPCOR Employees please ensure you are using your “@epcor.com” email address.

What you’d be responsible for

You are accountable to the Senior Manager, Operational Excellence and will have the following key accountabilities (but are not limited to these):

• Leading process redesign and improvement projects that drive business performance.
• Providing specialized consultative, training and mentorship expertise in the areas of change management, project management, process mapping, process design/improvement, business analysis and implementation planning. 
• Ensuring that processes meet business needs, mitigate risks, create efficiencies and comply with EPCOR policies, standards and regulatory requirements.
• Providing clear documentation to ensure the appropriate cross functional team is involved, project scope is defined, roles are clearly defined and records management complies with established standards.
• Guiding the design of new processes, policies, procedures, work practices, tools and system requirements necessary to improve performance. 
• Ensuring the appropriate metrics are in place to measure progress and that metrics clearly link performance to strategic goals and enterprise KPI’s.
• Providing input to the Operational Excellence business strategy, plans and directions.
• Assisting Process Owners with developing and executing change management plans. This includes:
  • assessing change needs and stakeholder impact
  • determining success measures
  • defining or creating the new expected employee behaviors
  • developing and implement change activities
  • continually evaluate and adjust implementation based on progress assessment
  • ensuring that the project complies with change management methodologies
• Contributing to the development and maintenance of the Process Map Library.
• Contributing to the development and maintenance of the Operational Excellence templates and resources.
• Overseeing the management of information on SharePoint for access by all process stakeholders.
• Contributing to the enhancement of process, project or change management methodologies through reviews of project performance and individual research and thought leadership.
• Analyzing operational metrics for changes or trends and identifying root causes.

What’s required to be successful

Qualifications, experience and behaviours you possess are:

• Completion of a Degree or Diploma in Business, Engineering, Operations Management (or a related) from a recognized post-secondary educational institute.
• A Master’s degree is considered an asset. 
• Certification or education in business process redesign (Lean Six Sigma Blackbelt or equivalent).
• Experience that includes:
  • 5+ years directly related in the facilitation and project management of process improvement and business process re-engineering initiatives.
  • SharePoint including SharePoint online.
• Demonstrated ability to apply methodologies on redesign projects.
• Competent with the Microsoft Office Suite of programs, including proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Visio.

• Proficiency in change management frameworks (e.g. ADKAR, Kotter’s 8 step process)
• Competent with the Microsoft Office Suite of programs, including proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Visio. Experience in the Microsoft 365 suite would be considered an asset.
• Ability to:
  • Apply methodologies on redesign projects.
  • Build and integrate clear, understandable process maps.
  • Manage large multi-stakeholder projects, not all of which are process improvement
  • Manage multiple projects at one time.
  • Manage meetings and facilitate consensus, both in person and in a remote work setting
  • Develop and execute implementation plans.
  • Create messages, conduct stakeholder analysis, design a game plan, execute and measure changes in behaviors.
  • Create and deliver training and information sessions.

• Valid Class 5 Alberta Motor Vehicle Operators License.
  • Ability to qualify for and maintain an EPCOR driver's permit.
  • Access to your own reliable vehicle.
  • A Driver Abstract (5yr. Commercial type) is required.
  • Limited to 6 demerits or less.

Additionally, these are valuable assets for the successful candidate to have:

• Certification or coursework in project management and/or change management.
• Sound understanding of business operations, including front line operations with distributed work crews.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Excel Power Query.

The qualifications (skills and behaviors) listed above must be supplemented with your ability to work with data to understand problems combined with your ability to adapt own personal style to different audiences to achieve desired outcomes. In addition, you are an effective communicator (both written and verbal) with the ability to tailor messages to the audience. Other demonstrated competencies required for success in this position include taking initiative, collaborating with others, taking ownership, being flexible and adaptable, and acting with integrity in all aspects of your performance.

Your strong presentation and interpersonal skills allow you to work with various different personalities at all levels of the organization. You display enthusiasm for the work; leadership and energy is inspiring and contagious while maintaining focus on achievable and sustainable results. In addition, you are skilled at identifying potential project opportunities, risks and linkages within the organization and developing solutions that could potentially influence the Business Units’ long-term strategies.

Other important facts about this job

This is a professional level position and that typically works Monday to Friday (40 hours per week).

If the successful candidate is interested, they will have the option to participate in the hybrid Where We Work program after completing 3 to 6 months in role and meeting the eligibility requirements. 

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Please note the following information:

• A requirement of working for EPCOR is that you are at least 18 years of age, successfully attained a high school diploma (GED, or equivalent level of secondary education) and legally entitled to work in Canada. (A copy of a valid work permit may be required.)
• If you are considered for the position, clearance on all applicable background checks (which may include criminal, identity, educational, and/or credit) and professional reference checks is required. Some EPCOR positions require an enhanced level of background assessment, which is dictated by law. These positions require advanced criminal record checks that must also be conducted from time to time after commencement of employment.
• A technical/practical assessment may be administered during the selection process and this exercise will be used as a part of the selection criterion.
• To meet the physical demands required of some positions, candidates must be in good physical condition and willing to work in all weather conditions. Clearance on pre-placement medical and drug and alcohol testing may be required.
• Prior infractions for unsafe driving behaviours will be evaluated and considered for non-selection regardless of current demerits on file.