Sr. Director, Energy Services and Sustainability

University of Chicago•Chicago, IL

17h•Onsite

About The Position

Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Facilities Services, the Senior Director, Energy Services and Sustainability serves as the University’s senior executive leader for engineering services, campus energy management, sustainability strategy, and central utility plant operations. The role provides visionary, strategic, and technical leadership for the planning, design, operation, and optimization of building systems and utility infrastructure across more than 165 campus buildings totaling approximately 11 million square feet. The Senior Director has enterprise level responsibility for mechanical, electrical, plumbing (MEP), utilities, building automation systems, and energy infrastructure and acts as the University’s senior technical authority on engineering, energy, and sustainability matters. This position integrates engineering excellence, energy procurement and optimization, and reliable plant operations to support academic, research, and clinical missions while advancing the University’s long term decarbonization, resilience, and sustainability commitments. The Senior Director collaborates closely with Capital Projects Delivery, Operations, Campus Planning, Sustainability leadership, and senior University administrators to balance short and long term infrastructure needs, financial stewardship, regulatory compliance, safety, and environmental performance. The role is accountable for strategic planning, capital and operating budget oversight, risk management, and continuous improvement of engineering, energy, and utility operations. The Senior Director manages the Energy Services unit, which includes Central Utility Plant Manager, Building Automation Manager, Campus Energy Manager, Energy Utilities Manager, Electrical Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, and Commissioning Engineer.

Requirements

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.
Must have a valid driver's license and successfully complete the University's Motor Vehicle Records background check.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Energy Engineering, or a closely related engineering field.
Master’s degree in Engineering, MBA, Public Administration, Energy Systems, or other relevant advanced degree.
10 years of progressively responsible experience in engineering, utilities, energy systems, facilities infrastructure, or a closely related technical field.
Demonstrated executive‑level experience leading large‑scale building systems, utility infrastructure, or central plant operations in a complex institutional, industrial, governmental, or utility environment.
Proven experience directing MEP engineering services, including system design oversight, performance optimization, lifecycle planning, and commissioning for large and diverse facilities portfolios.
Significant experience with central utility plants and distribution systems, including steam, chilled water, electrical, and/or district energy systems.
Demonstrated leadership of energy management and procurement programs, including utility forecasting, market analysis, risk management, and cost optimization.
Experience developing and executing long‑range infrastructure, energy, and decarbonization strategies aligned with institutional goals and regulatory requirements.
Strong background in capital planning and project delivery, including collaboration with capital project teams on design, construction, and system integration.
Demonstrated success managing operating and capital budgets, financial modeling, and business‑case development for major infrastructure and energy initiatives.
Experience leading multidisciplinary teams of engineering, operations, energy, sustainability, and technical professionals.
Prior experience working within a large, complex organization (e.g., university campus, healthcare system, research institution, utility, or governmental environment).
Experience working with unionized workforces and in regulated environments.
Executive‑level technical leadership serving as a senior engineering or utility authority within an organization.
Demonstrated ability to translate complex engineering and energy concepts into actionable recommendations for senior leadership and non‑technical stakeholders.
Strong strategic planning skills with the ability to balance short‑term operational reliability and long‑term infrastructure transformation.
Experience integrating sustainability, resilience, and decarbonization goals into engineering and utility operations.
Demonstrated ability to lead through influence in matrixed organizations with multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.
Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills with the ability to represent the University internally and externally.
Ensures the performance and results of multiple department trades and operations functions including; electrical, carpentry, locksmiths, decorating, sheet metal, roofing, care of grounds, service crew, auto mechanical shops, major façade repair projects, and residential apartment maintenance.
Recommends and manages the execution of operating practices and procedures for effectiveness and efficiency, recommending changes as needed.
Executes functional business plans and contributes to the development of the strategic mission and priorities for facilities services.
Professional Engineer (PE) license, preferably in Mechanical, Electrical, or Energy Engineering
Certified Energy Manager (CEM)
Certified Energy Procurement Professional (CEP) or equivalent commodity market credential
LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP) or equivalent green building certification
Project Management Professional (PMP)
Certified Building Commissioning Professional (CBCP) or equivalent commissioning credential
Distributed Energy, Renewable Energy, or Utility Systems certifications (e.g., CHP, district energy, or power systems)

Responsibilities

Provide executive leadership for campus-wide mechanical, electrical, plumbing (MEP), utility, and energy systems engineering to ensure safety, reliability, resilience, and operational excellence.
Serve as the University’s senior technical authority for building systems, energy infrastructure, and utilities, advising senior leadership on complex engineering, operational, and capital investment decisions.
Direct engineering services supporting Capital Projects Delivery and Operations, including system design review, technical standards enforcement, and constructability and maintainability evaluations.
Establish, maintain, and enforce campus engineering standards, design guidelines, and performance criteria for new construction, renovations, and infrastructure modernization projects.
Lead technical assessments, lifecycle analyses, and repair/replacement strategies for major building systems and utility assets to optimize long‑term performance and total cost of ownership.
Oversee building commissioning and re‑commissioning programs to ensure systems perform as designed and meet energy, sustainability, and occupant comfort requirements.
Provide engineering leadership for building automation systems, controls, metering, and analytics platforms that support system optimization and data‑driven decision making.
Develop and lead strategic initiatives related to energy management, consumption measurement, conservation technologies, renewable energy systems, and low‑carbon solutions.
Lead campus‑wide energy efficiency and optimization programs, including identification, prioritization, and implementation of conservation and performance improvement projects.
Develop, implement, and continuously refine the University’s Strategic Sustainability Plan in partnership with the Assistant Vice President, Campus Planning and Sustainability.
Oversee energy procurement strategies including market analysis, forecasting, hedging, and risk management for natural gas and electricity to minimize cost volatility and environmental impact.
Monitor, analyze, and report on campus energy and sustainability performance, ensuring accurate data governance across multiple systems and regulatory frameworks.
Identify, pursue, and manage external funding opportunities such as grants, rebates, and incentive programs, including application preparation, compliance, reporting, and administration.
Provide technical guidance for sustainability policies, programs, academic integration, and student engagement initiatives in collaboration with University partners.
Direct and oversee the operation, maintenance, and optimization of the University’s central utility plants and distribution systems, including steam, chilled water, condensate, and electrical infrastructure.
Ensure safe, reliable, efficient, and cost‑effective utility operations while maintaining full compliance with city, state, and federal regulatory requirements.
Lead long‑range utility and energy infrastructure planning, capital investment strategies, and modernization initiatives to support campus growth, resilience, and decarbonization goals.
Ensure comprehensive maintenance management programs are in place and performing effectively for all utility and plant assets.
Integrate plant operations with building systems, energy management strategies, and automation platforms to maximize system efficiency, redundancy, and reliability.
Manage relationships with utility providers, vendors, and service partners to enhance value, service quality, and operational performance.
Establish short‑ and long‑range organizational goals, policies, and operating procedures; evaluate performance and implement continuous improvement initiatives.
Lead and develop a high‑performing, multidisciplinary organization encompassing engineering, energy management, building automation, sustainability, and utility operations.
Collaborate with senior University leadership, faculty, staff, and external stakeholders to align infrastructure investments with institutional priorities.
Develop and manage operating and capital budgets; provide financial analysis, forecasting, and reporting to support executive decision making.
Enforce rigorous adherence to safety standards, risk management practices, and regulatory compliance across all areas of responsibility.
Provide executive leadership during emergency and critical utility or infrastructure events, including 24/7 availability as required.
Ensures the performance and results of multiple department trades and operations functions including; electrical, carpentry, locksmiths, decorating, sheet metal, roofing, care of grounds, service crew, auto mechanical shops, major façade repair projects, and residential apartment maintenance.
Recommends and manages the execution of operating practices and procedures for effectiveness and efficiency, recommending changes as needed.
Executes functional business plans and contributes to the development of the strategic mission and priorities for facilities services.
Perform other related duties as assigned.