Water Utility General Manager

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

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

Compensation & Benefits

• Annual salary range: $143,620 – $215,431 (commensurate with qualifications and experience)

• Health and dental benefits

• Participation in a defined benefit pension plan and an optional 457(b) deferred compensation plan

The Waukesha Water Utility is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace.