Careers at Virginia Tech

Reporting to the Executive Director for Energy & Utilities, the Director of VTES and Deputy to Executive Director of Energy & Utilities is a key member of an organization of approximately 100 personnel responsible for supporting the university’s over 11 million square foot Blacksburg campus.

Energy and Utilities is responsible for the production, delivery, and management of the University’s supply-side thermal energy utilities, electricity, civil utilities infrastructure, and demand-side energy management for campus energy efficiency and energy conservation. It is comprised of the following units: Virginia Tech Electric Service (VTES), Cogeneration Power Plant, Chilled Water Plants, Mechanical Utilities and the Office of Energy Management.

This position is directly responsible for the day-to-day operations of VTES and will also support the Executive Director in the oversight of campus utility services and infrastructure.

VTES is the electric utility provider for the Blacksburg campus and approximately 6,500 residential and commercials customers in the Town of Blacksburg. VTES has four 69kV to 12.5kV substations serving a peak load of 65MW. The utility includes construction and maintenance crews, engineering and design, materials and inventories, and customer-facing business office functions. This position is responsible for:
• Promoting reliable and safe operation of the VTES distribution system through identifying needed design and construction for expansion, and support of routine and emergency maintenance
• Supports development of budgets by keeping abreast of and contributing discussion of issues such as system demand, supplier demand, and electric industry rate setting practices
• Assists in developing and implementing grid modernization, grid innovations, and integration of renewable and clean energy sources
• Supports the development of the Utility Master Plan that will serve as a roadmap to align campus wide utility systems with The Campus Master Plan for expansion, and The Climate Action Commitment
• Formulates an asset management strategy
• Leading and coordinating activities of the utilities team and outside consultants with a high level of professional acumen and technical expertise in support of university-wide success by directing, monitoring, and evaluating these professional engineering activities
• Coordinates efforts for federal and state grant funding opportunities
• Maintain awareness of the energy market and utility industry trends
This position will also serve as deputy to the Executive Director of Energy & Utilities and will act on behalf of the Executive Director as needed by supporting strategic initiatives with a focus on operational excellence, resource management, and sustainable processes, for the broader Energy and Utilities organization. This role serves alongside other members of the Division of Facilities with expert professional vision for financial, operational, human resources, communications, and strategic planning.

The incumbent must be detail, action, solution, and results oriented and dedicated to continuous improvement. The incumbent is expected to fulfill identified responsibilities independently while maintaining effective communication with leadership. This is a highly visible position that interacts with top-level administration of the university and supports strategic, operational, and tactical operational services for the benefit of all university constituents.

This position is responsible for supporting university efforts to ensure that buildings and grounds constantly express the sense of place and quality that is intrinsic to Virginia Tech, maintaining the university’s design and construction standards function, and providing effective vision, leadership, and strategic direction for the delivery of non-capital construction (renovation) services.

• Advanced degree in electrical engineering, or combination of advanced degrees in engineering and science field or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Experience in a major industrial or institutional operation that includes design and operation of a complex medium voltage electrical distribution grid
• Knowledge of electrical generation, distribution operations, and applicable codes and standards for underground and overhead facilities.
• Demonstrated experience in developing, planning, providing technical expertise and directing work of in-house and contract crews related to engineering, switching, new construction, maintenance of all types of electrical utility facilities.
• Significant experience with facilities administration, utilities, maintenance and repair, budgeting, fiscal administration, people management, client management, vendor management and operational planning.
• Leadership experience overseeing large, diverse teams and operations.
• Experience in preparing strategic reports, proposals, and presentations for executive audiences.
• Commitment to data-driven decision-making and the use of performance indicators for tactical, operational, and strategic responsibilities.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills with a commitment to responsive, transparent service delivery and fostering trusted relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects collaboratively while maintaining attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to anticipate challenges, make decisions quickly and accurately, and maintain patience, reliability, composure, and ethical commitment under pressure.
• Ability to travel to on-campus and off-campus facilities sites, with occasional overnight travel. This position is designated as “Emergency Personnel”. Must be available twenty-four hours per day, seven days a week to provide support during planned, or emergency situations or events to include being physically on site if deemed necessary.

• Significant experience managing electric distribution utility
• Demonstrated experience in strategic, budget, personnel, and resource planning
• Demonstrated experience in organizing and facilitating leadership-level stakeholders to gain consensus

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Regular

Salary up to a maximum $175,000 commensurate with experience

March 12, 2025; applications accepted until filled

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including the Innovation Campus in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerous Extension offices and research centers. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance.  These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.