Director of Legal Services (Regulated Utility)

Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. (AQN), parent company of Liberty, is a diversified international generation, transmission, and distribution utility. AQN is committed to providing safe, reliable, and cost-effective energy and water solutions through our portfolio of utility investments to over one million customer connections, largely in the United States and Canada.

At Algonquin, our vision is to be the most trusted utility service provider in North America – a premium regulated utility, known for our customer focus, commitment to sustainability, and strong community partnerships. Our employees are at the heart of that vision. We believe that when people are empowered to learn, grow, and contribute their ideas, we can achieve remarkable results together.

We are building a culture that values integrity, inclusivity, and innovation. By joining Algonquin, you’ll be part of a team that is shaping the future of energy and water, while creating long-term value for our customers, communities, employees, and shareholders.

Purpose

Through its operating subsidiaries and affiliates, Liberty Utilities Co. owns and/or operates regulated electric, natural gas, water and wastewater utilities across the United States, Canada, Bermuda and Chile. This position is for Director of Legal Services for our New Hampshire electric utility, Liberty Utilities (Granite State Electric) Corp. (“Granite State Electric”). In this role, the successful candidate will be responsible for providing and managing necessary day-to-day legal services to Granite State Electric, with a particular focus on regulatory matters, and may provide back up assistance to Liberty Utilities (EnergyNorth Natural Gas) Corp. on an as-needed basis. This position will work daily with leadership, regulatory teams and other business group leaders for those operating companies and leadership in our Legal Department.

Accountabilities

- Act as in-house subject matter expert on regulatory, business and operational legal issues impacting lines of business in a dynamic and changing industry, particularly within a utility that operates in an environment that involves competitive suppliers and community aggregators. Knowledge of electric and gas regulation required.

- Work closely with the Liberty Leadership Team and the regulatory, operations, accounting, customer service, engineering, and finance, departments on regulatory legal issues.

- Handle complex legal issues and provide advice and counsel related to utility regulation, including state and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission matters; tariff review; provide research and writing as to regulatory requirements; assist in the preparation of filings and assist in the drafting and preparation of testimony in regulatory proceedings, including rate cases, default service, energy efficiency, and other regulatory matters while developing close relationships with and representing Granite State Electric before the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission.

- Develop legal and business strategies relating to capital projects, regulatory filings, operational matters and other business decisions.

- Review decisions of courts and regulatory agencies to determine precedent in regulatory and legal matters.

- Provide legal advice on probable legal or other impacts of proposed changes in rules, regulations, and applicable laws.

- Manage outside legal counsel on a variety of matters, including litigation.

- Manage strategy and execution of rate cases in conjunction with utility leader and departments, including developing case, preparing witnesses before and during proceedings and hearings before the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission.

- Provide, upon request and contingent on availability of time, assistance to other utilities owned or controlled by Liberty, including Liberty Utilities (EnergyNorth Natural Gas) Corp.

- React and respond to external and internal queries and requests relating to various legal issues.

- Other duties as assigned from time to time.

Education and Experience

- Juris Doctor Degree from an accredited law school with at least ten (10) years of experience in utility regulatory law; strong preference for electric utility experience both at the state and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

- Must be licensed to practice law or eligible to obtain licensure in New Hampshire.

- Prior legal experience in government and/or the regulated utility environment required (including experience handling rate cases and other regulatory matters before regulatory commissions) as well as experience in operational matters preferred.

- Understanding of key business issues and requirements of regulated utilities and resulting implications for specific legal issues.

- Proficient with computer applications including Microsoft Office Suite and the internet.

- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

- Flexible with traveling within the U.S. and Canada required.

- Valid driver’s license and passport required.

Our purpose is sustaining energy and water for life, and it is demonstrated in everything we do as a business and as an employee team.

As the successful candidate

Our Mission

We provide safe, secure, reliable, cost-effective and sustainable energy and water solutions. Our mission is how we create value as an organization—it is what drives us every day to fulfill our purpose.

Our Vision

We better the lives of our customers and communities. Our vision is what we see as possible. It's where we aspire to be, what we want to achieve and how we'll make an impact. It guides and keeps us on the right path as we work towards fulfilling our purposes.

Our Guiding Principles

- Customer Centric

- Integrity

- Entrepreneurial

- Teamwork

- Owner mindset

- Outcome focused

- Continuous learning

What we offer

Collaborative environment with a genuine flexible working policy

401k Plan with matching

Share purchase/match plan

Leadership Development Program

Volunteer paid days off

Employee Assistance Program

Achievement fund

Free parking

Variety of Health & Wellness programs

Discount and Perks program

We are focused on building a diverse and inclusive workforce. If you are excited about this role and are not confident you meet all the qualification requirements, we encourage you to apply to investigate the opportunity further.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value each person's unique background, diversity, experiences, perspectives and talents.

Full participation of all employees in a safe, healthy and respectful environment is key to individual and company success. We are committed to fully utilizing the abilities of all our employees and expect each of our employees to honour this commitment in their daily responsibilities.