Description

Our Client

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the flagship of the University of North Carolina system, is a public research university and one of the oldest public universities in the United States, currently serving over 30,000 undergraduate and graduate students.

Carolina’s nationally recognized, innovative teaching, campus-wide spirit of inquiry and dedication to public service continues the legacy that began in 1795 when the University first opened its doors to students.

In Chapel Hill, students develop a voice for critical thought and the courage to guide change. They connect to the future they are already shaping. Carolina is committed to access for all, providing life-changing opportunities such as the Carolina Covenant, which promises a debt-free education to low-income students.

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is the 13th largest research university in the United States, ranking tenth in the nation for federal research expenditures and first for federally funded social and behavioral sciences research and development.

For the 22nd consecutive year, U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges rankings list UNC-Chapel Hill in fifth place for top public schools among national universities. The 2023 rankings also list Carolina as 29^th overall between public and private institutions. In the best value category, Carolina claims first place among public institutions for the 18th consecutive year.

Additional 2023 Best Colleges rankings for UNC-Chapel Hill include:

• Tied for fifth overall for undergraduate nursing programs.
• Tied for eighth overall for undergraduate business programs.
• Gillings School of Global Public Health: public health programs - public, first; overall, second; biostatistics, fifth; environmental/environmental health engineering, tied for 26th.
• School of Government: local government management, second.
• School of Medicine: primary care, fifth; research, tied for 25th.
• School of Social Work: overall, tied for seventh.

For more information, visit this Academics news item.

Chapel Hill, NC

Chapel Hill, North Carolina was founded in 1793 and is one of the three corners of the “Research Triangle,” along with Durham and Raleigh. Greater Chapel Hill is a two-town, three-county region situated in the center of the state and equidistant to the mountains and the beach. Chapel Hill is home to a resident population of 59,000. It is a trend-setting playground full of sights, sounds, and tastes that make it the kind of place that authors, musicians, and artists call home.

The region features one of the best public school systems in the country, world class health care facilities, and access to one of the best workforces in America. Chapel Hill is the second most educated city in the nation, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and UNC Health Care have a major influence on the local economy and within the community. One example is in public works and safety. Each fire department has one fire engine painted Carolina blue that sports UNC decals. UNC-Chapel Hill has very successful college basketball and women’s soccer programs, and a passion for these sports has been a key component of the city’s culture.

Several murals can be seen painted along the buildings, many of which were painted by UNC alum, Michael Brown. The Morehead Planetarium, which opened in 1949, was the first planetarium built on a college campus and remains an important city landmark. Astronauts trained there during the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs.

Hailed as “America’s Foodiest Small Town” by Bon Appetit Magazine, Chapel Hill is rapidly becoming a hot spot for pop American cuisine. Historic Franklin Street in Downtown is home to more than 200 restaurants, bars, retail shops, and service businesses. Visitors and residents can enjoy festivals, special events, nightlife, and cultural destinations. 140 West and Carolina Square are Franklin Street's hubs for outdoor happenings.

Chapel Hill is also home to many green spaces. There are miles biking trails in Carrboro and Chapel Hill. Both are designated Silver-Level Bicycle Friendly Communities by The League of American Bicyclists, and UNC is recognized nationally as Silver-Level Bicycle Friendly University. 

Responsibilities / Primary Responsibilities

The Executive Director of Energy Services reports to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Real Estate and Campus Enterprises and provides management and leadership for the Energy Services Department. The primary purpose of the department is the production, delivery, and management of the University’s supply-side thermal energy (steam, chilled water) utilities and electricity, the management of non-potable water and stormwater systems, and the management of relationships with local utility providers, Duke Energy, Dominion Energy, and Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA).

Energy Services is comprised of the following units: Cogeneration Systems, Chilled Water Systems, Electric Distribution Systems, Water/Sewer (Wastewater), Non-Potable Water Systems, Stormwater Systems, and Business Operations. The annual receipts supported budget for Energy Services exceeds $160 million per year. Energy Services also manages a significant capital utility infrastructure program.

Primary responsibilities include:

• Planning and Policy: The Executive Director provides leadership for Energy Services in developing and implementing strategic planning and goal-setting processes to support the vision of Finance, Operations, and the University. They ensure that Energy Services’ capital plan is periodically reviewed and approved. They develop and report on measures that track progress toward goals.
• Financial: The Executive Director manages the financial performance to meet operating, capital, and debt requirements while maintaining the lowest possible costs. They oversee the annual budgeting and rate-setting process. They ensure that financial systems and controls are in place, followed, and well documented.
• Operations: The Executive Director oversees the utility managers in the daily operations and employee management of Energy Services units to ensure that all service delivery areas are continuously improved to increase reliability and efficiency to the highest levels and contain cost. They monitor and evaluate the overall performance of each unit. They ensure that energy systems meet environmental and safety standards consistent with the University’s goals and leadership position.
• Human Resources: The Executive Director encourages the development of all employees to their maximum potential through leadership, coaching, support, and training.
• External Relationships: The Executive Director builds effective formal and informal communication channels with customers and other university departments that are integral to the success of Energy Services such as; Facilities Planning and Design, Facilities Engineering and Construction, Energy Management, and Environmental Health and Safety. They build effective working relationships nationally with colleagues of other research universities with significant energy production capacity. They stay abreast of changes in the industry through active participation in energy utility groups and conferences.

The Energy Services Department

The Energy Services Department consists of five units:

• Cogeneration Systems, which generates and distributes steam and generates electricity;
• Electric Distribution Systems, which is responsible for the distribution of electrical power;
• Chilled Water Systems, which produces and distributes chilled water throughout the campus;
• Water/Sewer, Wastewater and Stormwater, which works with a local provider for use and conservation of water as well as management of non-potable water and manages campus stormwater;
• Business Operations, which provides strategic, financial and capital planning, budgeting, information technology support, program/project management, utility billings, and customer service.

Together these five units provide safe, reliable, environmentally responsible, and cost-effective utility services for the University Campus and UNC Hospitals.

Requirements

Qualifications

• Relevant post-Baccalaureate degree required (or foreign degree equivalent) with three years or greater of related professional experience; for candidates demonstrating comparable professional backgrounds, will accept a relevant Bachelor’s degree (or foreign degree equivalent) and five years or greater of relevant experience in substitution.
• Ten years of progressively responsible experience, including senior level management experience, in an energy utility or large research university district energy system or other large energy system, such as a military base.
• Experience in a research university or similar setting with multiple utilities employing the district energy concept. This position involves regular contact with high-level administration, University counsel, construction and facility planning staff, faculty, students, municipal, state and local officials, state and federal regulatory agencies, private property owners and the university community.

Helpful Links

• The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill official website
• UNC Facilities Services Division
• UNC Finance and Operations Division
• US News & World Report Profile
• Town of Chapel Hill, NC official website

About the Search

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill a national search with the assistance of Helbling, a ZRG company (www.helblingsearch.com), an executive search firm specializing in areas of facilities management, construction, engineering, and real estate development.

Please Submit Resume & Cover Letter or Nominations to 

Helbling, a ZRG company

8000 Brooktree Road, Suite 100, Wexford, PA  15090

Rick Nawoczynski, Senior Associate

E:            [email protected]

O:           (724) 935-7500 x 112

C:            724-462-5393 

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a protected veteran.