About the Opportunity
We are seeking an experienced Director of District Energy Operations to lead the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of a large-scale district energy system supporting one of the nation's premier university campuses.
This executive leadership role is responsible for the overall performance of a complex utility infrastructure that provides steam, chilled water, hot water, electrical generation, and energy distribution to a diverse campus environment. The successful candidate will oversee all aspects of operations, maintenance, capital improvements, financial performance, environmental compliance, and team leadership while driving operational excellence and long-term infrastructure reliability.
This is an exceptional opportunity for a proven utility or district energy leader who enjoys building high-performing teams, managing critical infrastructure, and leading strategic initiatives that directly impact system performance and customer satisfaction.
Position Summary
The Director of District Energy Operations provides strategic and operational leadership for all district energy assets, including central plant operations, utility distribution systems, maintenance, engineering support, capital projects, safety, and environmental compliance.
This position has full responsibility for operational performance, financial management, asset reliability, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement while partnering with executive leadership on long-term infrastructure planning and business growth initiatives.
Primary ResponsibilitiesOperational Leadership
- Direct all aspects of district energy operations to ensure safe, reliable, and uninterrupted utility service.
- Lead the operation of:
- Steam generation and distribution
- Chilled water production and distribution
- Hot water systems
- Electrical generation and distribution
- Combined Heat & Power (CHP) facilities
- Establish operational priorities that maximize system reliability and efficiency.
- Develop and implement continuous improvement initiatives to optimize plant performance.
- Monitor key operational metrics and implement corrective actions when necessary.
Plant Operations & Asset Reliability
- Provide leadership for central utility plant operations and distribution assets.
- Ensure preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance programs are effectively executed.
- Drive equipment reliability through proactive asset management strategies.
- Utilize CMMS systems to improve maintenance planning, work order management, and asset lifecycle performance.
- Develop long-term asset replacement and reliability improvement plans.
Capital Projects & Infrastructure
- Lead capital improvement and infrastructure expansion projects from planning through execution.
- Manage project budgets, schedules, contractors, and engineering resources.
- Oversee utility distribution expansion, interconnections, and system modernization projects.
- Ensure projects meet operational, financial, safety, and quality objectives.
- Support long-range infrastructure planning and future system growth.
Financial Leadership
- Maintain full responsibility for operational budgets and financial performance.
- Manage:
- Annual operating budgets
- Capital budgets
- Forecasting
- Cost controls
- Financial reporting
- Variance analysis
- Monitor operational KPIs and identify opportunities for improved efficiency and cost reduction.
- Support utility billing, contract administration, and financial modeling.
Safety & Environmental Compliance
- Champion a strong culture of safety throughout the organization.
- Ensure compliance with all OSHA, environmental, and regulatory requirements.
- Lead incident investigations and implement corrective actions.
- Promote continuous improvement in health, safety, and environmental performance.
- Maintain compliance with all company safety policies and regulatory standards.
Leadership & Team Development
- Lead, mentor, and develop operations, maintenance, engineering, and technical personnel.
- Build a culture focused on accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
- Establish performance expectations and succession planning initiatives.
- Partner with executive leadership to support organizational goals and operational excellence.
Strategic Leadership
- Collaborate with executive leadership on long-term business planning and growth strategies.
- Identify opportunities for operational improvements, system optimization, and infrastructure investment.
- Support business development initiatives related to district energy expansion.
- Develop strategic plans that align operational performance with organizational objectives.
Required QualificationsEducation
Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Energy Management, Business Management, or a related technical discipline is preferred. Equivalent industry experience will be considered.
Experience
- 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in:
- District Energy Systems
- Central Utility Plants
- Industrial Utilities
- Campus Utility Operations
- Combined Heat & Power (CHP)
- Energy Infrastructure
- Minimum of 5 years leading multi-disciplinary operations and maintenance teams.
- Proven experience managing complex utility operations with full operational accountability.
- Demonstrated success managing multimillion-dollar operating and capital budgets.
- Experience overseeing large-scale capital infrastructure projects.
- Strong understanding of maintenance planning, asset management, and reliability engineering.
Preferred Technical Experience
Candidates should possess experience in several of the following areas:
- District Energy Systems
- Steam Generation & Distribution
- Chilled Water Systems
- Hot Water Systems
- Electrical Generation & Distribution
- Combined Heat & Power (CHP)
- Utility Distribution Networks
- Central Plant Operations
- Infrastructure Expansion
- Asset Management
- Reliability Engineering
- Utility Billing
- Contract Administration
- Regulatory Compliance
- Environmental Management
Technical Skills
Preferred experience with:
- Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS)
- Enterprise Asset Management Systems
- EHS Management Software
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Excel
- Word
- PowerPoint
- Outlook
- Visio
- Financial Reporting Systems
- Project Management Software
Leadership Competencies
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
- Strategic leadership
- Operational excellence
- Strong financial acumen
- Exceptional communication skills
- Executive-level decision making
- Team development and coaching
- Continuous improvement mindset
- Customer-focused leadership
- Change management experience
- Ability to build cross-functional partnerships
Physical Requirements
This position includes both office and field responsibilities within active utility and industrial environments.
The successful candidate must be able to:
- Walk active plant facilities and construction sites.
- Climb stairs, ladders, and elevated structures.
- Enter confined spaces when required.
- Lift and move up to 50 pounds on an occasional basis.
- Work indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions.
- Perform inspections in mechanical rooms, utility tunnels, rooftops, and other industrial environments.
Why Join Our Team?
This is an opportunity to lead one of the region's most critical district energy operations while helping shape the future of sustainable utility infrastructure. You'll have the opportunity to:
- Lead a highly skilled operations team.
- Oversee complex and mission-critical utility infrastructure.
- Drive innovation and operational excellence.
- Manage impactful capital improvement projects.
- Influence long-term strategic growth.
- Build a rewarding career with a financially strong and growing organization.
Benefits
- Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance (effective first day of employment)
- Company-paid Life & AD&D Insurance
- Supplemental Life Insurance Options
- 401(k) with Company Match
- Paid Time Off & Holidays
- Career Development & Training Opportunities
- Employee Assistance Program
- Corporate Discount Programs
- Competitive Compensation
- Career Advancement Opportunities
Ideal Backgrounds
We welcome candidates with leadership experience in:
- District Energy Systems
- University Campus Utilities
- Central Utility Plants
- Combined Heat & Power (CHP)
- Power Generation
- Industrial Manufacturing Utilities
- Municipal Utilities
- Large Healthcare Campus Utility Systems
- Energy Infrastructure Operations
This version is written to attract experienced senior utility leaders while remaining optimized for LinkedIn, Indeed, and other executive recruiting platforms. It emphasizes leadership, strategy, financial accountability, and operational excellence instead of reading like an internal job specification.
Pay: $120,000.00 - $150,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
