Executive Director

We are looking for an accomplished Executive Director to guide the operational, financial, and strategic leadership of a public utility organization in the greater Charlottesville, Virginia area. This role will oversee essential services while ensuring regulatory compliance, organizational effectiveness, and long-range infrastructure planning. The ideal candidate will combine strong operational judgment with the ability to build partnerships across government, community, and utility stakeholders.

Responsibilities:

• Direct the daily management of operations, including supporting distribution and collection systems to ensure reliable service delivery.
• Serve as the primary liaison with state environmental regulators and maintain productive working relationships that support ongoing compliance and performance standards.
• Establish, refine, and enforce operational policies and procedures that promote efficiency, accountability, and adherence to applicable regulations.
• Provide technical guidance and planning input for long-term utility development, including capital improvement initiatives and coordination with county planning efforts.
• Lead the operations financial oversight, including monitoring fiscal performance and supporting sound budgetary decision-making.
• Guide staff through the annual budgeting process by setting priorities, reviewing projections, and aligning resources with operational needs.
• Oversee personnel management across the organization, including supervision, performance leadership, and workforce planning.
• Mentor and support supervisors to strengthen leadership capability, employee engagement, and a positive workplace culture.
• Represent the Authority in meetings and communications with governing boards, public officials, customers, partner utilities, regulatory bodies, and community groups.
• Prepare formal reports, deliver presentations, and carry out additional leadership duties as needed to support organizational goals.
• Demonstrated experience leading business operations within a complex organization, preferably in utilities, public infrastructure, or a regulated environment.
• Proven ability to manage financial activities, including budget development, resource planning, and operational oversight.
• Experience supervising staff and developing managers through coaching, accountability, and team leadership.
• Ability to build effective relationships with regulatory agencies, governing bodies, community stakeholders, and customers.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience preparing reports and presenting to diverse audiences.
• Strategic planning capability with the ability to contribute to long-term infrastructure and capital improvement initiatives.