Hands-On Public Utility GM: Finance, Ops & Leadership

Coastside411; Half Moon Bay (CA); On-site; USD 280,000 - 360,000; Full time

Job summary

Coastside County Water District seeks a General Manager to lead financial strategy, capital program delivery, and regulatory compliance for a coastal California utility. The GM will coordinate with regulatory agencies, manage staff development, and ensure high‑quality service delivery in a fast‑paced environment.

The successful candidate will combine strong financial acumen with engineering/operations insight, and will advance modernization, stakeholder engagement, and long‑term district

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Public Administration, Business Administration or similar discipline.
• Ten years of experience in a water district or similar agency, with at least five years in supervision.
• Additional professional certifications are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead financial strategy and CIP financing for a multi‑million dollar program.
• Oversee regulatory compliance with federal, state, and local requirements including Coastal Commission.
• Foster workforce development, knowledge transfer, and HR processes to retain talent.
• Operate with a hands‑on, working manager ethos and drive cross‑department coordination.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Financial stewardship

HR leadership

Regulatory diplomacy

Public governance

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/Public Administration/Business

Professional certifications (plus)

Job description

Coastside County Water District seeks a General Manager to lead financial strategy, capital program delivery, and regulatory compliance for a coastal California utility. The GM will coordinate with regulatory agencies, manage staff development, and ensure high‑quality service delivery in a fast‑paced environment.

The successful candidate will combine strong financial acumen with engineering/operations insight, and will advance modernization, stakeholder engagement, and long‑term district