Director of Utility and Energy Management (UEM)

Facilities Management Division

Overview

The University of Georgia (UGA) invites applications and nominations for the position of Director of Utility and Energy Management (UEM) in the Facilities Management Division (FMD).  Under the direction of the Senior Director for Facilities Operations and Infrastructure, and working collaboratively with the campus community, the Director of UEM is responsible for electrical and thermal utility procurement, production and distribution on campus. The Director is to set the strategic direction for the group, as well as ensure the group's operational components are performing effectively and efficiently. Additional functions include human resources management, implementation of training, financial responsibility for both operating budget and capital funds, quality control, and special projects as assigned by FMD’s leadership.

The position oversees approximately twenty seven (27) staff members:  a campus energy engineer, a utility location coordinator, a utility analyst, three utility locators, a meter reader, and a 16 person team at the central steam plant.  Additionally, the UEM Director will lead the creation of a Building Automation and Retro-commissioning team, led by a second energy engineer and supported with multiple retro-commissioning technicians. 

Facilities Management Division and UGA

The UGA Facilities Management Division is the largest of the divisions reporting to the Vice President for Finance and Administration. With an annual operating budget of just over $65 million, this division provides the services necessary to operate and maintain the buildings, grounds and utilities for the Athens area campuses.

UGA is ranked among the top 15 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University’s main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton.

UGA was founded in 1785 by the Georgia General Assembly as the birthplace of public higher education in America. UGA employs approximately 1,800 full-time instructional faculty and more than 7,600 full-time staff. The University’s enrollment exceeds 39,000 students, including over 29,500 undergraduates and over 9,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 17 schools and colleges, as well as a medical partnership with Augusta University housed on the UGA Health Sciences Campus in Athens. Additional information about the University of Georgia is available at http://www.uga.edu/.

Responsibilities

The University of Georgia Athens campuses consist of approximately 18 million gross square feet of space with 400 buildings that include administrative, library, classroom, research, housing and University support space.  The Director of UEM provides overall managerial oversight of the Utility and Energy Management Department.  This leader sets the strategic direction for the Facility Management Energy Use and Distribution Strategy, as well as ensures the team is performing effectively and efficiently. The Director of Utility and Energy Management will identify and implement best practices for the department and develop metrics to evaluate and manage performance.  The Director of Utility and Energy Management will bring innovation, attention to client services, and proactively adapt to emerging trends in support of our mission.

This department currently consists of technical professionals and operational staff and will be expanded to include an all-new in-house retro-commissioning team over the next 18-24 months.  The Director of Utility and Energy Management provides oversight for utility procurement, utility billing, 24x7 steam plant production, central steam and chilled water loop optimization, and long term utility infrastructure planning.

The Director of Utility and Energy Management is expected to make technical decisions and exercise considerable initiative and creativity to accomplish the mission.  The successful candidate will have considerable experience in both team leadership and energy systems management; infrastructure and renewal. The successful candidate will identify and implement best practices for the department and develop metrics to evaluate and manage performance as well as bring innovation and emerging trends to the department. The position interfaces with a number of high-level individuals across the campus and leads in a highly professional and collaborative setting.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires at least a baccalaureate degree in the field.

Preferred Qualifications & Skills

• A Master’s or other advanced degree in engineering or a field significantly related to utility operations.
• At least ten (10) years of utility and energy management, distribution, including experience leading others, experience managing a large annual operating budget and energy procurement.     
• The knowledge and ability to lead the operation and renewal of central thermal plant systems.  The successful candidates should be a subject matter expert in thermal energy production on a central plant scale.
• Certification as an Energy Manager (C.E.M.) or as a Professional Engineer (P.E.). Registration as a P.E. in another jurisdiction and the ability to become registered within the State of Georgia within 6 months of hire is acceptable. 

• Communication and Analytical Skills - Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, to a diverse audience, and possess a knowledge of appropriate escalation protocols. Highly developed analytical skills and a strong business acumen.
• Customer Service Skills - Understanding of modern customer service theories, practices and methods, and how to apply them.
• Managerial Complexity - Ability to successfully handle multiple tasks at once, and be able to determine appropriate priorities. Ability to make independent interpretations and decisions that are in the best interest of the organization, and that are consistent with the objectives of senior leadership.
• Computer Skills - Proficient in the use of business application software and familiar with the use of a computerized maintenance-management software program.
• After-Hour Emergency Response - Ability to respond to emergencies and incidents after normal business hours, as needed, and on short notice.
• Essential Personnel - Ability to function in an essential personnel role, which may include an extended on-campus presence during local, regional, or national emergencies.

Applications

Applicant screening will begin immediately. Candidates are encouraged to submit their materials by Wednesday, February 17th; however, screening will continue until the position is filled.  The application packet should include a cover letter detailing how the applicant’s credentials and experience meet the needs, responsibilities, and qualifications stated above; a current resume; and contact information for three references (who will not be contacted without further correspondence with the applicant).

All applicants must apply online at https://www.ugajobsearch.com. Please see the job posting at: https://www.ugajobsearch.com/postings/179324

To provide a nomination or seek additional information, please contact Mary Ann Cottle, Primary Consultant with the UGA Search Group, 706-542-5769 or mafoil@uga.edu. Letters of recommendation or a simple nomination should include the name and contact information for the nominee.

The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, genetic information, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation or protected veteran status. As such, the University of Georgia is especially interested in candidates who can contribute to the diversity and excellence of the academic community. We not only strongly encourage women, minorities and other diverse candidates to consider applying for this position, but we also maintain that all candidates should share our commitment to diversity and inclusion. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR (HRWeb@uga.edu). Please do not contact the department or search committee with such requests.