AVP Utilities Business and Management

Job Title
AVP Utilities Business and Management


Requisition Number
RE48175


Working Title
AVP Utilities Business and Management


Department Name
3C000:VP - Facilities


Work Location
Lexington, KY


Grade Level
54


Salary Range
$154,211-262,142/year


Type of Position
Staff


Position Time Status
Full-Time


Required Education

BA



Click here for more information about equivalencies:
https://hr.uky.edu/employment/working-uk/equivalencies


Required Related Experience

10 yrs



Required License/Registration/Certification

None



Physical Requirements

Lifting, pushing, and/or pulling objects up to 50lbs; Standing or walking with objects up to 25lbs; Sitting at computer workstation for extended periods; Repetitive motion.

May be exposed to loud noises, fumes, confined spaces, and/or temperature/weather extremes while on and/or traveling to/from various job and/or project sites.



Shift

8:00am – 5:00pm (Monday – Friday)

Hours of work may vary dependent upon situational factors, emergencies, and crisis management requiring evening(s), weekend(s), and holiday response.



Job Summary

The University of Kentucky is seeking a strategic and experienced Assistant Vice President for Utilities Business and Management. This high-impact role oversees Utilities & Energy Management and the Utilities P3 Project, fostering sustainable solutions and operational excellence. Reporting to the Chief Facilities Officer and Chief Procurement Officer, this leader plays a pivotal part in fostering an innovative, efficient, and customer-centered utilities infrastructure in support of the university’s mission to serve students, faculty, staff, patients, and visitors.



Key Responsibilities

• Executive Leadership & Strategic Planning: Act as a core leader within the Facilities Management Executive Team, overseeing Utilities & Energy Management including the Utilities P3 Project, to support the University of Kentucky’s mission. Collaborate with university administration to enhance service delivery, supporting the university’s Strategic Plan and Utilities Master Plan.
• Project & Contract Management: Collaborate closely with the Chief Facilities & Chief Procurement Officers to effectively negotiate, and lead the design, build, integration, and administration of P3 contracts and other agreements, ensuring compliance and contract optimization. Proactively seek to expand partnerships in the utilities and energy sectors. Serve as a primary liaison with campus and enterprise-wide stakeholders and P3 partners, ensuring open lines of communication and effective relationship-building. Utilize staff to develop and maintain project planning in conjunction with the Campus Master Plan and Stainability Master Plan.
• Operational Oversight & Utilities Management: Lead all functional areas for operating and maintaining utilities, including the power utilities sector, focusing on grid integration, utility connections, and maintaining reliable, efficient systems. Collaborate with planning, design, engineering , maintenance and construction teams to deliver projects that align with sustainability goals and best practices.
• Organizational Change and Development: Cultivate a culture of creativity, participative leadership, entrepreneurship, and mutual respect within the Utilities & Energy Management department. Emphasize customer service and develop tools to assess service delivery across the university, ensuring a high-quality experience for all campus stakeholders.
• Financial Stewardship & Cost Optimization: Innovate to maximize budget impact, evaluate in-house work vs. contracting, and apply Lean Management principles to reduce costs, enhance efficiencies and provide high- quality customer focused service. Ensure budget alignment with strategic goals while seeking cost reduction without compromising service quality.
• System Compatibility & Risk Management: Oversee the selection of new systems, ensuring compatibility with existing infrastructure and considering maintenance costs and long-term sustainability. Emphasize risk reduction and liability minimization in all decision-making processes. Ensure compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations and enforce departmental policies for ongoing improvement, holding all Utilities employees accountable.
• Continuous Improvement & Data Analytics: Direct the development and enhancement of comprehensive data for all aspects of Utilities & Energy Management, supporting continuous improvement and strategic decision-making. Drive ongoing efficiency improvements, prioritizing cost reduction while upholding service quality. Foster a culture of continual improvement, creativity, and mutual respect among cross-functional teams, clients, and partners.

This search is being led by UK’s internal Executive Search Team. For more information about the position, please contact Mary Beth Bracken at 859-257-3348 or via email at marybeth.bracken@uky.edu.



Skills / Knowledge / Abilities

• Educational Background: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Facilities Management, or a related field is preferred.
• Experience: Minimum of 10 years of management experience. Experience in utilities, energy, or facilities management, with experience in managing complex utility systems, P3 projects, negotiating terms of energy, utility, and/or infrastructure partnerships, and implementing cost-effective, sustainable solutions is preferred.
• Technical Expertise: Knowledge of electrical systems, grid management, microgrid technology, and energy equipment. Proficiency in project management, analyzing cost efficiencies, Lean Management, and data-driven decision-making. Knowledge of thermal utilities, domestic water, sanitary and storm systems.
• Leadership Skills: Demonstrated success in leading cross-functional teams, managing large-scale projects, and fostering a culture of collaboration and efficiency.
• Interpersonal Skills: Exceptional communication skills with a proven ability to build and maintain strong internal and external relationships.

Does this position have supervisory responsibilities?
Yes


Preferred Education/Experience

A Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Facilities Management, or a related field is preferred.

Minimum of 10 years of management experience. Experience in utilities, energy, or facilities management, with experience in managing complex utility systems, P3 projects, negotiating terms of energy, utility, and/or infrastructure partnerships, and implementing cost-effective, sustainable solutions is preferred.



Deadline to Apply
12/15/2024


Our University Community

We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.


As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we strongly encourage veterans, individuals with disabilities, women, and all minorities to consider our employment opportunities.


Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.