EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, UTILITY SERVICES

Duke; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 103,362 - 206,722; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical and dental care

Generous retirement benefits

Family-friendly programs

Job summary

A prestigious academic institution is seeking an Executive Director for Utilities & Engineering Services. This role includes overseeing campus utility systems, ensuring operations align with the institution's academic and research missions, and providing strategic leadership. Candidates should have extensive experience in facilities management and a strong foundation in engineering. An inclusive and collaborative culture is emphasized, along with a commitment to sustainability and compliance with safety standards. Comprehensive benefits are offered.

Qualifications

• 15 years’ experience in Facilities Management or related field.
• Progressive leadership experience in complex utility systems.
• Experience in higher education or similar setting preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead campus-wide utility systems and engineering services.
• Ensure safe and reliable operation of utilities.
• Develop utility master plans and budget management.

Skills

Leadership

Customer service philosophy

Communication skills

Education

BS degree in a Facilities Management-related field

Engineering degree

Job description

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Date: Mar 14, 2026

Be You.

At Duke, we celebrate individuality and the unique perspectives that each member of our community brings. As the Executive Director, Utilities & Engineering Services, you’ll be a vital part of a collaborative, multidisciplinary organization responsible for campus-wide utility systems, engineering services, and the operations that support Duke’s academic, research, healthcare, and residential missions.

Qualifications

Education/Training:

• BS degree in a Facilities Management-related field. Engineering degree preferred.

Experience:

• Fifteen years’ experience in the Facilities Management or related field including progressive leadership experience.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in a large, complex district utility systems in a mission critical environment.
• Strong customer service philosophy and ability to motivate staff in a changing environment.
• Experience in a higher education or similar setting preferred.

Be Bold.

The Executive Director of Utilities & Engineering Services provides strategic, operational, and financial leadership for Duke University’s campus-wide utility systems and engineering services. Reporting to the Vice President of Facilities, this role is responsible for ensuring the safe, reliable, sustainable, and cost-effective delivery of utilities and engineering support that enable Duke’s academic, research, healthcare, and residential missions.

The Executive Director leads a multidisciplinary organization responsible for central utility plants, distribution systems, energy management, engineering services, capital program support, and regulatory compliance across a complex, high-reliability campus environment.

What You’ll Do:

Strategic Leadership & Planning

• Set and execute a long-term vision for Duke’s utility and engineering services aligned with institutional priorities, climate commitments, and growth plans.
• Develop and implement utility master plans, infrastructure renewal strategies, and resiliency initiatives.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to university leadership on infrastructure risk, capacity planning, and investment decisions.
• Provide administrative oversight to ensure the seamless operation of unit.

Operations & Reliability

• Ensure safe, continuous, and resilient operation of campus utilities, including electricity, steam, chilled and hot water, domestic water, sewer, and stormwater systems to the University and Medical Center.
• Lead incident response, outage management, and business continuity planning for critical infrastructure.
• Establish performance metrics and continuous improvement programs focused on reliability, safety, and service quality.

Engineering & Technical Services

• Provide oversight and strategic guidance of Engineering team including engineering standards, system design review, commissioning support, and technical guidance for capital projects and renovations.
• Provide governance for utility interfaces with new construction, major research facilities, and healthcare-related infrastructure.
• Promote standardization, asset management best practices, and lifecycle-based decision making.
• Plan, prioritize, and manage a multi-year capital renewal and improvement portfolio.
• Develop and manage operating and capital budgets; optimize lifecycle costs and return on investment.
• Partner with necessary entities to deliver projects on schedule and within budget.
• Advance Duke’s energy efficiency, electrification, decarbonization, and climate resilience goals.
• Leverage data, analytics, and emerging technologies to reduce energy use, emissions, and operating costs across all utility plants.
• Collaborate with the University’s Office of Climate and Sustainability on campus climate initiatives.

Safety, Compliance & Risk Management

• Champion a strong culture of safety, regulatory compliance, and environmental stewardship.
• Ensure compliance with applicable codes, standards, permits, and utility regulations.
• Proactively identify and mitigate infrastructure, operational, and cyber-physical risks.

People, Culture & Partnerships

• Lead, develop, and mentor a diverse team of engineering, operations, and technical professionals.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performance culture.
• Build strong partnerships with campus stakeholders, local utilities, regulators, and peer institutions.
• Address personnel issues, including hiring, coaching, discipline, and matters related to union contracts.
• Identify skills gaps within staff and provide coaching and guidance.
• Participate in the annual performance appraisal process.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with collective bargaining unit.
• Advise senior leadership on all matters relating to their assigned unit.
• Act as a representative of Facilities Management in internal meetings, committees, and when engaging with external groups.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by department leadership.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills; ability to communicate effectively to a wide range of audiences.
• Computer skills in MS Office; analytical skills related to productivity; ability to understand processes, procedures, and budgets.

Anticipated Pay Range: Duke University provides an annual base salary range for this position as USD $103,362.00 to USD $206,722.00. Duke University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position; candidate's work experience, education/training, and key skills; internal peer equity; as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.

Your total compensation goes beyond the dollars on your paycheck. Duke provides comprehensive and competitive medical and dental care programs, generous retirement benefits, and a wide array of family-friendly and cultural programs to eligible team members. Learn more at: https://hr.duke.edu/benefits/

Equal Opportunity Employer: Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation, or military status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and reasonable accommodation(s) can be requested with Duke Access and Accommodations Services (email: [e-mail]; phone: [phone]).

Nearest Major Market: Durham
Nearest Secondary Market: Raleigh

Read more about Duke’s commitment to affirmative action and nondiscrimination at hr.duke.edu/eeo.