Director, Strategic Planning

EPCOR Utilities Inc.; Glendale (AZ); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the water utility sector is seeking a Director of Strategic Planning to lead long-term strategies ensuring reliability and sustainability of water services. The role involves overseeing capital improvement plans, optimizing water infrastructure, and collaborating with various teams. Ideal candidates will have extensive experience in water project execution and strong leadership skills. Competitive salary and benefits are offered.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Incentive award program

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Retirement plan with substantial company contribution

Generous time-off schedules

Training opportunities

Tuition reimbursement

Certification support

Qualifications

• Minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in water and/or wastewater project execution.
• Experience leading and mentoring technical teams.
• Professional Engineering license in Arizona or ability to obtain within 6 months.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and execution of long-term strategies for water infrastructure.
• Oversee long-term capital improvement plans and optimize water distribution networks.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align planning with company strategies.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Technical Analysis

Project Management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering

Master’s degree or MBA

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Power BI

ESRI GIS software (ArcGIS Pro)

Job description

Location Glendale, Arizona, United States

Closing Date May 18, 2025

Position Title Sr Manager, Strategic Planning

Weekly Hours of Work 40

Business Unit Regulated US Water

Highlights of the job

We are hiring a full-time Director, Strategic Planning position based in our corporate office in Phoenix, AZ.

As the Director, Strategic Planning, you will lead the development and execution of long-term strategies that ensure the reliability, sustainability, and financial strength of EPCOR Water USA’s facilities. This role requires technical depth in water infrastructure planning, asset management, and regulatory framework , along with the ability to guide a team of planners and GIS professionals. The Strategic Planning function plays a critical role in supporting system growth, operational efficiency, and long-term capital planning in collaboration with Operations, Developer Services, Finance, and Regulatory teams.

What you’d be responsible for :

• Developing and overseeing long-term capital improvement plans, incorporating hydraulic modeling, GIS analysis, and demand forecasting.
• Optimizing water distribution networks, treatment facilities, and pumping stations using simulation tools and planning models.
• Evaluating emerging technologies, including smart metering, leak detection systems, and AI-driven predictive maintenance.
• Implementing risk-based asset management practices aligned with ISO 55000 standards.
• Supporting long-term financial modeling for multi-year Capital Investment Plans.
• Applying failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) and risk-based prioritization for asset lifecycle management.
• Developing and maintaining a Management of Change (MOC) system .
• Overseeing the Geographic Information System (GIS) function across regulated service areas.
• Conducting hydraulic modeling of water and wastewater systems to identify capital needs, support development integration, and resolve system challenges.
• Monitoring and interpreting regulatory policies to ensure compliance at local, state, and federal levels.
• Providing technical input and serving as a company witness for regulatory filings and related documentation.
• Collaborating with cross-functional teams to align long-term planning with company-wide strategies and goals.
• Balancing capital and operational investment strategies to meet regulatory and business objectives.
• Mentoring and developing technical staff in planning, GIS, modeling, and predictive maintenance.
• Supervising planning engineers and ensuring timely, high-quality plan development and delivery.

What’s required to be successful :

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or a related field; a Master’s degree or MBA is desirable.
• Minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in water and/or wastewater project execution, hydraulic modeling, and capital improvement planning.
• Experience leading and mentoring technical teams, with a focus on delivering planning, modeling, and infrastructure strategy.
• Strong understanding of utility systems, asset management, and long-term infrastructure planning.
• Experience conducting and interpreting technical analyses for water and wastewater system performance.
• Skilled in communicating complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, supervise staff, and ensure adherence to technical standards and procedures.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams) and Power BI; familiarity with ESRI GIS software (ArcGIS Pro) is required.
• Knowledge of ADEQ and NMED regulations, capital improvement planning, budget development, and utility system operations.
• Professional Engineering license in Arizona, or ability to obtain within 6 months; licensure in New Mexico and ADEQ Operator Certifications are desirable.
• Comfortable working in an office environment with occasional field visits; travel required less than 20%.
• Physical ability to perform office tasks and occasional site visits, including in high-heat conditions and lifting up to 15 pounds.

Note: While this position is titled as Director for external posting and market alignment purposes, the internal title for this role is Senior Manager.

Other important facts about this job

As an EPCOR employee, you will enjoy a variety of benefits such as a competitive salary, an incentive award program, an excellent benefit package including medical, dental, vision and other insurance coverage, retirement plan with substantial company contribution, generous time-off schedules, training opportunities, tuition reimbursement, and certification support. We’ve been voted as a Best Places to Work employer and we value the safety of each of our team members through our robust safety training and celebration of safety milestones.

Headquartered in Phoenix, EPCOR USA owns, operates and builds water, wastewater and natural gas infrastructure and is among the largest private water utilities in the Southwest. EPCOR USA is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of EPCOR Utilities Inc. We invest in and look after our communities and the environment. We’re proud of the work we do and the people we hire to do it.

Please note the following information:

• A requirement of working for EPCOR is that you are at least 18 years of age and legally entitled to work in the United States . (A copy of a valid work permit may be required.)
• If you are considered for the position, clearance on all applicable background checks (which may include criminal, identity, educational, and/or credit) and professional reference checks is required. Some EPCOR positions require an enhanced level of background assessment, which is dictated by law. These positions require advanced criminal record checks that must also be conducted from time to time after commencement of employment.
• A technical/practical assessment may be administered during the selection process and this exercise will be used as a part of the selection criterion.
• To meet the physical demands required of some positions, candidates must be in good physical condition and willing to work in all weather conditions. Clearance on pre-placement medical and drug and alcohol testing may be required.