Utilities Authority Executive Director ($195,000 - $256,880)

JOB SUMMARY

The Executive Director manages and directs the day-to-day operations and management of the Emerald Coast
Utilities Authority (ECUA), an independent special district. Reporting directly to the five-member Board of Directors, the Executive Director provides executive leadership, strategic direction, and operational oversight
for all ECUA functions.

The Executive Director is responsible for organizational performance, financial stewardship, regulatory
compliance, customer service excellence, stakeholder engagement, and the planning, design, and delivery of
capital programs. The Executive Director leads the organization in establishing and executing ECUA’s mission, vision, values, and long-term strategic objectives while ensuring the delivery of safe, reliable, and cost-effective water, wastewater, and sanitation services.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The following duties are illustrative and not exhaustive. Duties may be modified or expanded based on organizational needs.

Executive Leadership & Governance

• Provide executive leadership and strategic direction consistent with Board-adopted policies, goals, and
  priorities.
• Advise the Board on operational, financial, regulatory, and policy matters impacting ECUA.
  Keep the Board fully informed of ECUA’s financial condition, capital program status, regulatory compliance, and operational performance.
• Develop and recommend strategic plans, long-range forecasts, and organizational initiatives for Board
  consideration.
• Serve as the primary liaison between ECUA and the Board of Directors.

Organizational Management

• Exercise full executive authority over all ECUA personnel and organizational functions.
• Recruit, develop, evaluate, and retain a high-performing executive leadership team and workforce.
• Establish organizational goals, performance standards, and accountability measures for all divisions.
• Foster a culture of safety, ethics, innovation, accountability, and customer service excellence.
• Investigate and evaluate the performance of any department or employee as necessary.

Financial Stewardship & Rate Management

• Direct the development, administration, and oversight of the annual operating budget, capital improvement
  program, and long-term financial plans.
• Monitor revenues and expenditures to ensure fiscal sustainability and compliance with adopted budgets.
• Establish and recommend rate-setting methodologies that are actuarially sound, cost-of-service based, and
  consistent with industry best practices.
• Oversee billing operations and approve changes to customer billing practices as appropriate.
• Review insurance coverage, financial controls, and investment strategies annually.

Operations, Engineering & Capital Programs

• Ensure the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of all water, wastewater, reclaimed water, and materials recovery facilities and infrastructure.
• Oversee capital planning, system expansion, asset management, and long-term infrastructure renewal.
• Ensure compliance with all permits, consent orders, laws, ordinances, and regulations issued/enacted by federal, state, and local entities.
• Provide executive oversight of engineering, construction, maintenance, and operations programs.
• Ensure emergency preparedness, continuity of operations, and disaster response readiness.

Regulatory, Public Policy & External Relations

• Serve as ECUA’s chief representative to local, county, state, and federal governmental agencies.
• Lead public policy, legislative monitoring, and regulatory engagement efforts.
• Act as ECUA’s primary spokesperson at public meetings, workshops, conferences, and media engagements.
• Maintain productive relationships with elected officials, regulators, industry partners, environmental organizations, suppliers, and customers.
• Remain informed of industry trends, technological advancements, and regulatory changes; make recommendations to the Board as appropriate.

Stakeholder Engagement & Environmental Stewardship

• Lead stakeholder engagement initiatives and ensure transparent communication with the public.
• Prepare and submit public and stakeholder reports as required.
• Champion environmental stewardship, sustainability, and regulatory compliance initiatives.
• Ensure completion of required environmental studies, audits, and reports.

Additional Responsibilities

• Attend professional development activities to remain current on utility management best practices.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Board to ensure effective operations, statutory/regulatory compliance, and protection of public health and safety.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Graduate of an accredited four-year college or university. Must either possess a bachelor’s degree in science, engineering, business management, or public administration (master’s degree preferred) or alternatively, must be a licensed and registered engineer.
• Minimum of six (6) years of experience in the field of engineering, operations, or management of a utility system of a size comparable to or larger than the current water and sewer systems of ECUA.
• Valid Florida driver’s license or ability to obtain one upon employment.

Substitution:

• ECUA may allow additional years of relevant executive or administrative experience to substitute for specific educational or professional requirements.
• Employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of and satisfactory results from background, motor vehicle and reference checks, drug screening, and post-offer physical examination.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORKING ENVIRONMENT

• Regular use of hands, arms, vision, hearing, and speech.
• Frequent computer use in an office environment.
• Occasional exposure to outdoor, industrial, or hazardous conditions.
• Position requires travel and availability for emergency response outside normal working hours.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• Utility industry and operations, engineering principles, project management, asset management, and capital planning.
• Public finance, budgeting, rate setting, and financial reporting.
• Regulatory and legal frameworks governing public utilities.
• Emergency management and incident response systems.
• Organizational governance and public-sector administration.

Skill in:

• Executive leadership, strategic planning, and organizational development.
• Clear, effective written and verbal communication with diverse audiences.
• Data-driven decision-making and performance measurement.
• Building collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Ability to:

• Analyze and interpret complex financial, engineering, and operational data.
• Communicate technical and financial concepts clearly to policymakers and the public.
• Represent ECUA professionally and credibly.
• Lead effectively during emergencies and high-stress situations.
• Read and understand complex engineering drawings, plans, and specifications.