Deputy General Manager - Engineering & Technology

The Deputy General Manager – Engineering and Technology (DGM, E&T) is a key member of the Executive Leadership Team responsible for strategic leadership and oversight of water resources management, system planning, capital project delivery, and enterprise technologies through supervision of the Director of Planning and Water Resources, Director of Engineering and Construction, and Director of Technology. The DGM E&T drives innovation and resilience in infrastructure and technology to ensure reliable, sustainable, high quality, drinking water. The DGM E&T directs the integration of forward-thinking infrastructure planning with leading-edge technologies to meet the challenges of growth in demand, extreme weather events, regulatory compliance and aging infrastructure.

- Strategic Leadership:

1. Provide visionary leadership and strategic direction to the Directors of Engineering and Construction, Technology, and Planning and Water Resources, aligning Division goals and priorities with those of Fairfax Water.

2. Lead integrated infrastructure planning across water supply, treatment, and distribution, with a focus on reliability, resilience and sustainability.

3. Lead development of the capital improvement program, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and stakeholder needs.

4. Lead Enterprise-wide technology planning and implementation, including smart water systems, SCADA, asset management systems, GIS, and digital transformation. Prioritize and recommend technology initiatives and solutions that ensure security and alignment with the strategic plan.

5. Champion data-driven decision making and operational efficiency through technology adoption.

- Strategic Decision-Making:

Develop and exercise independent judgment and effective courses of action to address complex issues and challenges.

- Communication and Presentation:

Prepare and present complex information to various audiences, including executives, governing bodies, elected officials, and other stakeholders.

- Relationship Management:

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with the leadership team, Board, consultants, contractors, regulators, and other stakeholders. Represent Fairfax Water at meetings with regional partners and other stakeholders.

- Team Development and Collaboration:

1. Build and lead high-performing multidisciplinary teams across reporting Divisions.

2. Foster collaboration across the organization and with external stakeholders.

- Organizational Strategy Support:

Collaborate with the General Manager to support the overall strategic direction and operational efficiency of the organization.

- Bachelor’s degree in civil or environmental engineering, or a related field; graduate degree preferred

- At least fifteen years of progressively responsible experience planning and directing complex water utility capital infrastructure projects or programs, including at least five years at the senior/executive level

- Registration as a Professional Engineer in the Commonwealth of Virginia (P.E.) or the ability to obtain licensure within six months through reciprocity.

- Extensive knowledge of the theory and practice of civil engineering related to the planning, design and construction of public water supply facilities; knowledge of cybersecurity best practices; understanding of water resources management, drinking water treatment processes, regulatory compliance and sustainability as it relates to water utilities.

- Comprehensive knowledge of the application of information and operations technology systems to support water utility operations, drive efficiencies and optimization, and support data-informed decision making

- Ability to drive innovation and continuous improvement in processes and procedures

- Comprehensive understanding of Capital Improvement Program development, prioritization, tracking and delivery

- Strong and decisive leadership, strategic planning, analytical thinking and problem-solving skills.

- Ability to balance competing priorities and act on behalf of the General Manager/CEO, when required.

- Demonstrated ability to communicate complex projects, issues, and programs to stakeholders.

- Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other members of a leadership team, Board Members, internal and external stakeholders, consultants, contractors, and regulators;

- Demonstrated ability to develop and implement effective organizational policies and procedures

- Demonstrated ability to exercise independent judgment and develop and execute effective courses of action within a timely manner

- Demonstrated ability to successfully manage complex organizational initiatives

- Demonstrated ability to prepare informative reports and presentations for a variety of audiences;

- Exceptional verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to carry out instructions, and to instruct others.

- Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office;

- Ability to travel for meetings as needed;

- Must pass a controlled substance (drug) test.