Vice President, Gas and Water Operations

Compensation

Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt

Benefits: Yes - See Benefits Web Page

Employment Type: Full Time

Department: Executive

Job Statement

The Vice President, Natural Gas and Water, provides strategic leadership, operational oversight, and cross-functional coordination for the utility’s natural gas, water distribution, and water supply divisions. This executive role ensures safe, reliable, and efficient service delivery to customers while fostering a collaborative culture, strengthening community relationships, and driving long‑term organizational success. The Vice President serves as a key member of the executive leadership team and reports directly to the Chief Operating Officer.

Essential Duties

• Provide clear direction, leadership, and vision to natural gas and water operations.


• Directs engineering, construction, maintenance, and operations for natural gas and water distribution systems.  Oversees infrastructure replacement programs. 


• Oversee water treatment and supply operations to ensure public health, reliability, resilience, and regulatory compliance.


• Maintain strong working knowledge of relevant regulatory frameworks, including PSC and ADEM requirements.  Lead regulatory audits, reporting, and responses.


• Develop and execute strategic plans supporting system growth, modernization, risk mitigation, and long‑term sustainability.


• Implement data‑driven decision-making processes and analytical approaches to improve system performance


• Prepare, manage, and oversee budgets, forecasting, and capital planning. Manage multi‑million‑dollar operating and capital budgets for natural gas and water divisions.


• Oversee development and execution of strategic plans, performance metrics, and organizational priorities.


• Build high‑performance teams through coaching, mentoring, and succession planning.


• Promote engineering / operations integration and cross-functional teamwork. 


• Ensure fiscal responsibility and alignment with utility-wide goals.

Additional Duties

• Guide development, implementation, and oversight of apprenticeship programs.


• Support employee training programs, ensuring ongoing skill development and compliance readiness.


• Work closely with CIO and VPEE on related cybersecurity, physical security, risk assessments, and disaster recovery planning.


• Ensure robust safety programs, policies, and continuous improvement in safety culture.


• Conduct analytical reviews, problem solving assessments, and ROI evaluations for major initiatives.


• Serve as a representative for the utility in community settings, strengthening relationships with customers, partners, industry groups, and local stakeholders.


• Maintain excellent oral and written communication skills to present updates, reports, and strategic initiatives to leadership, regulatory bodies, and the public.


• Engage with relevant industry associations such as AWWA, APGA, and ANGA to ensure current knowledge of best practices, emerging technologies, and regulatory trends.


• Supports Intergovernmental Service Agreement for Redstone Arsenal with operations staff for natural gas and water. 


• Champion customer service excellence across natural gas and water operations.

Job Requirements

Education/Training/Certifications:    B.S. Degree in civil or mechanical engineering, related science, or business discipline required.  Master’s degree in related field desired.  PE license is desired. Other professional licenses pertaining to utilities are also desired.

Experience/Skills: Ten (10) years of progressive management experience in the natural gas or water utility industry required.  Experience with ADEM or PSC regulatory processes, audits and reporting preferred.

Additional Requirements

Equipment:  Personal computer, telephone, vehicle.

Physical Demands/Environmental Conditions:  Sedentary work in office environment.  Occasional exposure to inclement weather.   Must be able to deal with multiple priorities and short deadlines.

Other:  Must possess excellent leadership, communication and interpersonal skills.   Subject to recall during system emergencies.

Competencies