Description

The Waukesha Water Utility is seeking an experienced, strategic, and collaborative leader to serve as its next Water Utility General Manager. Reporting directly to the Water Commission, this position is responsible for the overall leadership, management, and strategic direction of the Utility while ensuring the continued delivery of safe, reliable, and sustainable water service to the community.

This is an exceptional opportunity to lead a respected public water utility. The Water Utility General Manager will play a key role in shaping the Utility’s future through long-term planning, infrastructure investment, workforce development, and operational excellence, including leadership during a planned transition to a new facility and exploration of future service collaborative opportunities.

The successful candidate will be a visible and engaged leader, comfortable working with the Water Commission, City leadership, department heads, Utility staff, customers, and community stakeholders. This individual will regularly present information, respond to public inquiries, and represent the Utility in a variety of professional and community settings.

Key Responsibilities

        Provide strategic leadership and direction for all water utility functions, including operations, engineering, customer service, finance, regulatory compliance, and administration

        Partner with the Water Commission to establish policies, priorities, and long-term strategic goals

        Lead and develop a high-performing team while fostering a culture of accountability, safety, service, and continuous improvement

        Oversee annual operating and capital budgets, financial planning, and resource allocation

        Direct infrastructure planning, asset management, and capital improvement programs

        Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations governing public water systems

        Represent the Utility before the Water Commission, Common Council, regulatory agencies, and community organizations

        Address customer concerns and maintain strong relationships with community stakeholders

        Maintain a visible leadership presence across the organization, including regular engagement with Utility staff

        Evaluate emerging technologies, operational improvements, and long-term service opportunities to support sustainability and efficiency

Requirements

Qualifications

        Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Public Administration, Business Administration, Environmental Science, Utility Management, or a related field

        Minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible leadership experience in utility operations or a closely related utility environment

        At least six (6) years of senior management or executive-level leadership experience

        Demonstrated experience in infrastructure planning, regulatory compliance, budgeting, and organizational leadership

        Experience working with and presenting to governing boards, elected officials, regulatory agencies, and public stakeholders

        Strong understanding of utility infrastructure, engineering principles, capital improvement planning, and asset management

Preferred qualifications:

        Master’s degree in Engineering or related field

        Experience leading organizational change