Division Director of Water & Gas

Division Director of Water & Gas

City of Danville, Virginia

Salary Range: $85,000 – $150,000 annually, depending on experience

Location: Danville, VA | On-site Leadership Role | Full-Time, Exempt

The Opportunity

The City of Danville is seeking a forward-thinking leader to oversee its Water and Gas Distribution Divisions—a critical role at the heart of the City’s award-winning Utilities Department. This is an exceptional opportunity for a utility professional to guide two enterprise systems serving thousands of residents and businesses, while shaping the next generation of public infrastructure in one of Virginia’s most dynamic and revitalized communities.

The Division Director of Water & Gas will lead a team of 40–50 employees across two essential distribution systems, ensuring safe, efficient, and compliant operations. This role offers the rare chance to balance long-term infrastructure improvement with day-to-day management of a dedicated and skilled workforce.

Why This Role Is Compelling

You’ll tackle some of the most significant infrastructure projects in the region—including the ongoing replacement of 150 miles of aging cast-iron water mains (at a rate of 3–5 miles per year) and future work related to the EPA’s Lead and Copper Rule. You’ll also ensure compliance with one of the most highly regulated areas of municipal service: natural gas distribution.

Danville, Virginia, offers small-city charm with big-city opportunity. Situated near the North Carolina border, Danville’s riverfront, parks, and revitalized downtown make it one of the most livable communities in the Southeast.

This position is open due to growth within the Utilities team and represents a critical leadership role for the City. The Division Director of Water & Gas is an essential member of the Utilities Department’s leadership structure, ensuring operational continuity, regulatory compliance, and strategic progress for two vital enterprise systems that directly serve the residents and businesses of Danville.

The City offers a competitive annual salary between $85,000 and $150,000, commensurate with experience, plus a robust benefits package including an independent pension system (separate from VRS), health coverage, paid leave, and long-term career stability.

You’ll join a mission-driven municipal team focused on reliability, transparency, and public service. The work environment blends office-based management with approximately 50% field engagement—collaborating with employees, contractors, engineering firms, and state regulatory agencies to keep systems running smoothly.

Danville Utilities operates as a financially stable, municipally owned system with a strong commitment to reinvestment, modernization, and compliance. This is a city with long-term capital plans, a clear mission, and steady leadership that values both progress and people.

What You Will Do

• Lead the Water and Gas Distribution Divisions, managing staff, budgets, compliance, and operations.
• Oversee major capital projects, including system upgrades, replacements, and infrastructure expansions.
• Ensure regulatory compliance—particularly in gas safety and reporting, which exceeds that of most other utility sectors.
• Develop and administer annual budgets for two enterprise funds, aligning expenditures with departmental goals.
• Provide mentorship and strategic direction to division supervisors and field teams.
• Collaborate with the Director of Utilities and other departments on long-term planning and cross-functional initiatives.
• Represent the division at council meetings, public forums, and inter-agency coordination events.

What You Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field (advanced degree preferred).
• Five to seven years of progressive management experience in utilities, preferably within a municipal environment.
• Broad understanding of both water and gas distribution systems—or significant expertise in one with the willingness and ability to learn the other.
• Strong leadership, communication, and fiscal management skills.
• Valid Driver’s License with acceptable driving record.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license is highly desirable but not required.

About Danville Utilities

Danville Utilities is a multi-service municipal utility providing electric, natural gas, water, wastewater, and broadband services to more than 40,000 customers across Southside Virginia. The department operates with a strong focus on modernization, reliability, and community value, reinvesting revenues directly into infrastructure and service improvements.

How to Apply

Please submit your resume or express interest directly through our website.

For questions, contact Greg Sigmundsson, Senior Search Consultant at Hunter Crown, who is managing the recruitment process for the City of Danville.