Senior Director, Plant Operations

Rice University•Houston, TX

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Director of Plant Operations provides strategic leadership, operational management, and long-term planning for all central utility systems supporting the university campus. This role is critical in addressing aging infrastructure, advancing institutional sustainability goals, enhancing operational efficiency, mitigating risks, and ensuring utilities are future-ready to support the university’s ongoing growth and development. The Senior Director oversees chilled water, steam, steam condensate, electrical distribution, emergency power systems, and all associated infrastructure, ensuring reliable, efficient, and sustainable utility services that underpin academic, research, residential, and administrative functions across the campus. The ideal candidate is a resilient and visionary leader with deep expertise in utility operations and infrastructure management, committed to innovation, sustainability, and operational excellence. They bring strong strategic planning and risk mitigation skills, paired with a collaborative and diplomatic leadership style that fosters team development, builds strong relationships, and drives results in support of the university’s growth and evolving needs.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field
6+ years of progressively responsible experience in central utility plant operations
Extensive knowledge of thermal and electrical utility systems, central plants, district energy systems, and distribution infrastructure; familiar with building codes and specifications
Proven ability to lead teams, manage complex maintenance planning and execution, and develop budgeting, procurement, and scheduling strategies for large-scale utility operations
Strong financial acumen with experience managing large operating budgets; skilled in prioritizing and delivering multiple projects on time
Experience designing and implementing energy efficiency and optimization strategies, with the ability to monitor and report on performance outcomes
Effective in written, verbal, and presentation communication, especially when translating technical concepts for diverse audiences
Skilled in cross-functional collaboration with internal teams, consultants, and contractors

Nice To Haves

Professional Engineer (PE) license
Master’s degree in a related field
10+ years of progressively responsible experience in central utility plant operations, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role
Experience in higher education or campus-based utility systems
Experience with renewable energy integration, energy storage, and decarbonization strategies
Familiarity with CMMS systems, SCADA, BAS, and energy analytics tools

Responsibilities

Lead and manage day-to-day operations of the Central Plant and campus utility systems
Develop and implement short- and long-term plans aligned with the university’s sustainability and energy efficiency goals
Oversee utility master planning efforts to support campus growth, infrastructure renewal, and carbon neutrality targets
Provide technical expertise in the operation, maintenance, and optimization of central utility systems, including district chilled water systems, steam systems, cogeneration systems, and electrical distribution systems
Direct plant upgrades, retrofits, and capital improvement projects in coordination with engineering consultants and project managers
Develop and manage multi-million-dollar operating and capital budgets
Track utility consumption and cost data to identify savings opportunities and operational efficiencies
Maintain annual service contracts with major equipment vendors
Participate in the procurement of energy contracts and utility services
Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local codes and regulations (e.g., TCEQ, EPA, OSHA, air and water quality permits)
Oversee environmental reporting and ensure proper safety protocols are followed
Manage risk mitigation related to system failures, redundancies, and disaster recovery
Supervise a team of plant operators, instrumentation technicians, maintenance technicians, and administrative staff
Promote training, development, and certification programs to enhance staff capabilities and retention
Foster a culture of operational excellence, safety, and accountability
Serve as the primary liaison for internal and external stakeholders regarding utility operations and infrastructure planning
Collaborate with campus planning, sustainability, capital projects, and academic units to align utility services with campus needs
Provide regular reporting and presentations to senior leadership