Insight Global
Job Description
Insight Global is hiring a Senior Director of Plant Operations to join a higher education university in Houston, TX. The Senior Director of Plant Operations provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for all central utility systems serving the university campus. This role drives long‑term planning to modernize aging infrastructure, advance sustainability objectives, improve efficiency, mitigate risk, and ensure utilities are prepared to support the university’s growth. The Senior Director manages chilled water, steam, electrical distribution, emergency power, and related infrastructure to deliver reliable, efficient, and sustainable services essential to academic, research, residential, and administrative operations.
Essential Functions
Lead and oversee daily operations of the Central Plant and campus utility systems
Develop and execute short‑and long‑term plans aligned with sustainability and energy‑efficiency goals
Drive utility master planning to support campus growth, infrastructure renewal, and carbon‑neutrality objectives
Serve as the technical authority for operation, maintenance, and optimization of central utility systems, including chilled water, steam, cogeneration, and electrical distribution
Direct plant upgrades, retrofits, and capital improvement projects in collaboration with engineering consultants and project managers
Additional Functions
Manage multi‑million‑dollar operating and capital budgets
Monitor utility consumption and cost data to identify savings and efficiency opportunities
Maintain service contracts with major equipment vendors
Participate in energy procurement and utility service negotiations
Ensure compliance with all applicable codes and regulations (TCEQ, EPA, OSHA, air and water quality permits)
Oversee environmental reporting and enforce safety protocols
Develop risk‑mitigation strategies for system failures, redundancies, and disaster recovery
Supervise plant operators, instrumentation technicians, maintenance staff, and administrative personnel
Promote staff training, certification, and professional development to enhance capability and retention
Foster a culture of safety, accountability, and operational excellence
Act as primary liaison for internal and external stakeholders on utility operations and infrastructure planning
Collaborate with campus planning, sustainability, capital projects, and academic units to align utility services with institutional needs
Provide regular reports and presentations to senior leadership
We are a company committed to creating diverse and inclusive environments where people can bring their full, authentic selves to work every day. We are an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer that believes everyone matters. Qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment regardless of their race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital status, national origin, ancestry, genetic factors, age, disability, protected veteran status, military or uniformed service member status, or any other status or characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations, and ordinances. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to HR@insightglobal.com. To learn more about how we collect, keep, and process your private information, please review Insight Global's Workforce Privacy Policy: https://insightglobal.com/workforce-privacy-policy/.
Skills and Requirements
Professional Engineer (PE) license
Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field
6+ years of progressively responsible experience in central utility plant operations
5+ years of senior leadership experience
Strong knowledge of thermal and electrical utility systems, central plants, district energy systems, and distribution infrastructure; familiarity with building codes and specifications
Expertise in budgeting, procurement, and scheduling for large‑scale utility operations
Strong financial acumen with experience managing large operating budgets and prioritizing multiple projects
Proven success in designing and implementing energy‑efficiency and optimization strategies, including performance monitoring and reporting
Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation skills, with the ability to translate technical concepts for diverse audiences
Skilled in cross‑functional collaboration with internal teams, consultants, and contractors - Experience in higher education or campus‑based utility systems
Experience with renewable energy integration, energy storage, and decarbonization strategies
Familiarity with CMMS systems, SCADA, BAS, and energy analytics tools
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Essential Functions
Lead and oversee daily operations of the Central Plant and campus utility systems
Develop and execute short‑and long‑term plans aligned with sustainability and energy‑efficiency goals
Drive utility master planning to support campus growth, infrastructure renewal, and carbon‑neutrality objectives
Serve as the technical authority for operation, maintenance, and optimization of central utility systems, including chilled water, steam, cogeneration, and electrical distribution
Direct plant upgrades, retrofits, and capital improvement projects in collaboration with engineering consultants and project managers
Additional Functions
Manage multi‑million‑dollar operating and capital budgets
Monitor utility consumption and cost data to identify savings and efficiency opportunities
Maintain service contracts with major equipment vendors
Participate in energy procurement and utility service negotiations
Ensure compliance with all applicable codes and regulations (TCEQ, EPA, OSHA, air and water quality permits)
Oversee environmental reporting and enforce safety protocols
Develop risk‑mitigation strategies for system failures, redundancies, and disaster recovery
Supervise plant operators, instrumentation technicians, maintenance staff, and administrative personnel
Promote staff training, certification, and professional development to enhance capability and retention
Foster a culture of safety, accountability, and operational excellence
Act as primary liaison for internal and external stakeholders on utility operations and infrastructure planning
Collaborate with campus planning, sustainability, capital projects, and academic units to align utility services with institutional needs
Provide regular reports and presentations to senior leadership
We are a company committed to creating diverse and inclusive environments where people can bring their full, authentic selves to work every day. We are an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer that believes everyone matters. Qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment regardless of their race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital status, national origin, ancestry, genetic factors, age, disability, protected veteran status, military or uniformed service member status, or any other status or characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations, and ordinances. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to HR@insightglobal.com. To learn more about how we collect, keep, and process your private information, please review Insight Global's Workforce Privacy Policy: https://insightglobal.com/workforce-privacy-policy/.
Skills and Requirements
Professional Engineer (PE) license
Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field
6+ years of progressively responsible experience in central utility plant operations
5+ years of senior leadership experience
Strong knowledge of thermal and electrical utility systems, central plants, district energy systems, and distribution infrastructure; familiarity with building codes and specifications
Expertise in budgeting, procurement, and scheduling for large‑scale utility operations
Strong financial acumen with experience managing large operating budgets and prioritizing multiple projects
Proven success in designing and implementing energy‑efficiency and optimization strategies, including performance monitoring and reporting
Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation skills, with the ability to translate technical concepts for diverse audiences
Skilled in cross‑functional collaboration with internal teams, consultants, and contractors - Experience in higher education or campus‑based utility systems
Experience with renewable energy integration, energy storage, and decarbonization strategies
Familiarity with CMMS systems, SCADA, BAS, and energy analytics tools
#J-18808-Ljbffr