Senior Director, Plant Operations

Rice University • Houston, TX

6d • 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
• Ability to climb a ladder
• Ability to lift 20 pounds

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

Benefits

• This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position, and the salary will be commensurate with experience and qualifications.
• Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees