Assistant Director, Utilities & Energy

Auburn University is hiring an Assistant Director for Utilities & Energy to oversee the operations, maintenance, and improvement of utility systems across campus. This role includes leadership in emergency management, system lifecycle management, and performance monitoring. The Assistant Director will manage teams, ensure compliance with safety standards, and lead capital projects. This position is based in Auburn, AL, and is not a remote job.
Job Description

Overview

Reporting to the Director of Utilities & Energy, this position
provides strategic leadership for the day-to-day operations,
maintenance, and continuous improvement of the University’s
Utilities & Energy systems, including district hot water,
chilled water, and steam production systems. The Assistant Director
ensures the safe, reliable, and efficient delivery of utilities to
more than 250 campus facilities in support of the University’s
academic, research, and outreach mission. This position oversees
the Plant Operations and Energy Management teams, ensuring
integrated planning, operational continuity, and leadership
succession across Utilities & Energy functions.

Responsibilities
• Portfolio Leadership: Provides strategic and operational
leadership for assigned Utilities & Energy functional
portfolios, ensuring safe, reliable, and efficient operation of
campus utility systems and infrastructure; serves as a departmental
representative in campus-wide initiatives, project teams, and
cross-functional coordination efforts to support integrated
planning and execution.
• Emergency Management & Continuity: Provides operational
leadership during all utility emergencies, system failures, and
service outages by ensuring Assistant Director-level situational
awareness and involvement appropriate to the scope and severity of
the incident; serving as a primary or supporting operational lead
as needed; and coordinating response activities, repair efforts,
and stakeholder communication in coordination with the Director of
Utilities & Energy to ensure campus operational continuity and
safety.
• System Lifecycle Management: Leads system lifecycle management
for assigned utility infrastructure, including planning, condition
assessment, preventative, predictive, and corrective maintenance,
and reinvestment strategies; utilizes infrastructure condition
assessments to prioritize repair, renewal, and long-term
sustainability initiatives.
• Maintenance & Reliability Execution: Leads preventative,
predictive, and corrective maintenance programs, including work
planning, scheduling, contract management, and vendor performance
oversight to ensure high levels of system reliability, efficiency,
and resilience.
• Data-Driven Performance Management: Establishes, monitors, and
reports key performance indicators (KPIs) related to system
reliability, energy efficiency, safety, and staff performance; uses
performance data to guide operational decisions, capital planning,
reinvestment strategies, and continuous improvement
initiatives.
• Capital Project & Design Integration: Provides Utilities
& Energy leadership during the design development, construction
administration, and commissioning of new construction and
renovation projects; ensures compliance with utility standards,
operational requirements, and effective integration into existing
campus utility systems, in coordination with the Director of
Utilities & Energy and Planning, Design, &
Construction.
• People, Safety & Financial Stewardship: Leads and develops
assigned staff through recruitment, coaching, performance
management, and professional development; enforces departmental
safety programs and regulatory compliance; fosters a culture of
technical excellence, accountability, and inclusion; and manages
assigned operating budgets for labor, materials, and contracted
services within approved limits.

Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree
• 7 years of experience in the operation, maintenance, and
management of large-scale, complex utility production and/or
distribution systems.
• 3 years of experience must be in a supervisory or management
role within a mission-critical operating environment (e.g., higher
education, healthcare, industrial, or similar facilities).
• Driver's license

Desired Qualifications:

Experience with district energy systems (chilled water, hot water,
or steam) and campus energy management programs in a large
institutional or campus environment.

Why Work at Auburn?
• Life-Changing Impact: Our work changes lives through
research, instruction, and outreach, making a lasting impact on our
students, our communities, and the world.
• Culture of Excellence: We are committed to leveraging
our strengths, resources, collaboration, and innovation as a top
employer in higher education.
• We’re Here for You: Auburn offers generous benefits,
educational opportunities, and a culture of support and work/life
balance.
• Sweet Home Alabama: The Auburn/Opelika area offers
southern charm, vibrant downtown scenes, top-ranked schools, and
easy access to Atlanta, Birmingham, and the Gulf of Mexico
beaches.
• A Place for Everyone: Auburn is committed to fostering
an environment where all faculty, staff, and students are welcomed,
valued, respected, and engaged.
• Ready to lead and shape the future of higher education?
Apply today! War Eagle!

Equal Opportunity Compliance Statement

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regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual
orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, age,
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other classification protected by applicable law. Please visit the
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