Director of Water Operations & Asset Management

Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

The Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) invites qualified candidates to lead a newly formed Operations and Maintenance Division, directing operations oversight, maintenance oversight, asset management, and major maintenance programs. You will integrate staff, set performance expectations, and coordinate with the private O&M contractor to ensure contractual compliance and effective operation.

Successful candidates will manage staff development, establish cross-disciplinary

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field.
• Ten years of job-related experience (advanced degrees may be considered in lieu of experience).
• Ability to lead managers and diverse teams, establish clear expectations, develop staff, and hold individuals accountable for results.
• Experience leading organizational change while maintaining effective operations and working relationships.
• Knowledge of wastewater operations, maintenance, infrastructure asset management, and the operational consequences of facility outages and wet-weather events.
• Ability to administer complex service agreements, evaluate contractor performance, and resolve technical and contractual issues.
• Ability to evaluate competing technical recommendations, assess risk, and make timely decisions with incomplete information.
• Understanding of CMMS and asset management systems, data quality, and the use of operational information to support maintenance and investment decisions.
• Ability to collaborate across organizational boundaries and integrate priority across operations, maintenance, and capital projects.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills for executive leadership.

Responsibilities

• Establish and lead the Operations and Maintenance Division, with managers and staff for operations oversight, maintenance oversight, asset management, and major maintenance initiatives.
• Lead the transition from contract compliance to the broader responsibilities of the new division; preserve knowledge and establish accountability.
• Direct MMSD’s oversight of the private O&M contractor; evaluate performance and enforce contractual requirements.
• Develop managers’ technical judgment, leadership capabilities, and cross-disciplinary collaboration.
• Oversee decisions on facility outages, wet-weather operations, energy use/purchasing, and CSO needs; ensure coverage during off-hours.
• Coordinate asset management with the Technical Services Division and other MMSD functions.
• Guide CMMS implementation; promote reliable data, reporting, and staff proficiency.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Decision making

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering/related field

Tools

CMMS

Asset management software

Job description

The Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) invites qualified candidates to lead a newly formed Operations and Maintenance Division, directing operations oversight, maintenance oversight, asset management, and major maintenance programs. You will integrate staff, set performance expectations, and coordinate with the private O&M contractor to ensure contractual compliance and effective operation.

Successful candidates will manage staff development, establish cross-disciplinary