General Manager/CEO - NSBU

The Position

The New Smyrna Beach Utilities (NSBU) General Manager/CEO is the organization’s highest-ranking professional who reports to the NSBU Commission and is responsible for interpreting and carrying out the Commission’s objectives. This role serves as both an advisor and policy administrator who provides leadership, management, and administration of the utility and its services. This position is a significant driver of innovation and operational performance improvement. The GM/CEO is also responsible for strategic planning and execution and regulatory compliance. This position assures employee and public safety as well as represents and advocates for the interests of the organization with external stakeholders.

The GM/CEO has authority over all matters pertaining to the proper economical and efficient operations of NSBU and is subject only to the policies of the Commission and applicable laws. He/she directs staff and has authority in making hiring, promotion, disciplinary actions, and terminations. This position is also responsible for ensuring the preparation and presentation to the Commission of budgets, annual goals, strategic plans, rules, regulations, financing and capital improvements, purchases, and contracts over $75,000, and other related items such as governance, policy, and financial items requiring Commission action.

The GM/CEO has sole authority for all the above and may delegate authority to Department Heads at his/her discretion and as prescribed by the Purchasing Manual for purchasing and spending.

Responsibilities include: 

• Directs NSBU leadership, management, operations, planning, coordination, and execution of activities of the combined electric and water utility systems.
• Responsible for short and long-term strategic planning of NSBU, and coordination of strategic planning with the NSBU Commission for approval.
• Directs the development of projects and business plans in support of delivering upon Commission-approved strategies, and the implementation of NSBU’s goals, objectives, policies, and procedures, rules, and regulations.
• Directs financial planning, budgeting, rates and financing, facilities planning, utility system capacity planning and asset management programs and the periodic presentation of such information to the Commission.
• Assures the timely preparation and submission of periodic and special operating and financial reports, budgets, and the Consolidated Financial Annual Report (a.k.a. CFAR, or audit) as required by the Commission and federal, state, and related agencies.
• Directs the establishment of appropriate staffing levels, employee development and succession planning, and allocates resources accordingly.
• Directs the assessment of workload and resources, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships, identifies opportunities for improvement, and directs execution of supporting implementation plans.
• Responsible for reviewing and executing legal contracts and agreements authorized by the Commission.

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

The GM/CEO must be intently focused on the following to be successful: product quality, customer satisfaction, employee and leadership development, operational optimization, financial viability, infrastructure stability, operational reliability and resiliency, community sustainability, water and electric resource adequacy, and stakeholder understanding and support. 

Ethical Practice: The GM/CEO must possess the ability to integrate NSBU Core Values, Mission and Vision, transparency, integrity, and accountability throughout all organizational and business practices; maintains confidentiality; acts with personal, professional, and behavioral integrity; responds immediately to all reports of unethical behavior or conflicts of interest; empowers all employees to report unethical behavior or conflicts of interest without fear of reprisal; shows consistency between espoused and enacted values; acknowledges mistakes; applies power or authority appropriately; recognizes personal bias and others’ tendency toward bias, and takes measures to mitigate the influence of bias in business decisions; maintains appropriate levels of transparency in organizational practices; manages political and social pressures when making decisions.

Cultural Effectiveness: The GM/CEO is responsible for creating and maintaining the desired organizational culture and work environment. The GM/CEO must possess the ability to value and consider the perspectives and backgrounds of all parties; have a strong set of personal values while operating with adaptability to particular conditions, situations, and people; maintain openness to others’ ideas and make decisions based upon experience, data, facts, and reasoned judgment; demonstrate nonjudgmental respect for other perspectives; work effectively with diverse cultures and populations; conduct business with an understanding and respect for the differences in rules, customs, laws, regulations, and business operations between own culture and all cultures; appreciate the commonalities, values, and individual uniqueness of all human beings; possess self-awareness and humility to learn from others; and adapt perspective and behavior to meet the cultural context.

Leadership: The GM/CEO must possess the ability to direct and contribute to initiatives and processes within the organization; foster collaboration through the leadership; develop solutions to overcome potential obstacles to successful implementation of initiatives; demonstrate agility and expertise when leading organizational initiatives; set the Vision for the NSBU’s strategies and initiatives and build buy-in from the Commission and internal and external stakeholders; promote consensus among organizational stakeholders when proposing new strategies and initiatives; and serve as a transformational leader for the organization by leading positive change across the enterprise.

Consultation: The GM/CEO must possess the ability to provide guidance to organizational stakeholders; apply creative problem-solving to address business needs and issues, leveraging experience, knowledge, and industry best practices; and continuously work to develop and/or improve consultative and coaching skills.

Communication: The GM/CEO must possess the ability to effectively exchange information with others; provide clear, concise information to others in verbal, written, electronic, and other communication formats for public and organizational consumption; listen actively and empathetically to the views of others; deliver critical information to all stakeholders; seek further information to clarify ambiguity; provide constructive feedback effectively; ensure effective communication throughout the organization; provide thoughtful feedback in appropriate situations; provide proactive communications; demonstrate an understanding of the audience’s perspective; treat constructive feedback as a developmental opportunity; welcome the opportunity to discuss competing points of view; help others consider new perspectives; lead effective and efficient meetings; and know when and how to utilize proper communication technology.

Forward Thinking and Critical Evaluation: The GM/CEO must be forward thinking by planning ahead and assure NSBU meets present needs while being prepared for the future. Additionally, they must possess the ability to interpret information to make business decisions; make sound decisions based on evaluation of available information; transfer knowledge and best practices from one situation to the next; apply critical thinking to information received from organizational stakeholders and evaluate what can be used for organizational success; gather critical information; analyze data with a keen sense for what is useful; delineate a clear set of best practices based on experience, utility industry best practices, published peer-reviewed research, publicly available web-based sources of information, and other sources; analyze information to identify evidence-based best practices; identify leading indicators of outcomes; and analyze large quantities of information from research and practice.

Business Acumen: The GM/CEO must possess thorough knowledge and experience in modern business management and principles and practices governing the operation of a complete utility system. The GM/CEO must demonstrate an understanding of the strategic relationship between operational and support functions and core business functions; demonstrate a capacity for understanding the business operations and functions within the organization; understand the industry and business/competitive environment within which the organization operates; understand organizational metrics and their correlation to business success; use organizational resources to learn the business and operational functions; use organizational metrics to make decisions; and leverage technology to solve business problems.

The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities.

The Ideal Candidate

NSBU is seeking an experienced professional who has advanced knowledge and understanding of power utilities and water resources best management practices and theories used in practice and who remains current on relevant laws, legal rulings, and regulations.  The selected candidate must possess the ability to prioritize work duties for maximum efficiency, develop and utilize best practices and seek process improvement through numerous resources.

A successful history of strategy execution and realizing the benefits of utility modernization investment (electric and water) will be weighed importantly in candidates. 

The future decisions involving additional NSBU site construction and associated buildings and costs will be important financial decisions for NSBU Commission and business.  Beyond budget management, the successful candidate must be able to navigate the negotiations and Commission decisions and implement a solid plan with an understanding of finance and rates implications.

Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Engineering, Management, Information Technology, or other related field is required (Master’s degree preferred).
• Minimum of ten years of experience in the utility industry with progressively increasing management responsibility; or a combination of experience, education, certifications, licenses, certifications, and core competencies.
• Professional or industry licenses, such as Professional Engineer (P.E.) or Information Technology certifications are viewed as positive, but not required.
• Florida Drivers’ License Class E required. Ability to work flexible hours, as required.

Compensation & Benefits

The anticipated annual salary is negotiable for qualified candidates. A generous benefit package which includes a 401(a) Defined Contribution Retirement Plan is included as part of the recruitment package.  NSBU will contribute 8% of base compensation towards this plan with no mandatory employee contribution.  Should the employee wish to voluntarily contribute to a 457 Deferred Compensation Plan, NSBU will match the employee contribution at 50% up to the IRS annual 457 maximum.  In addition, NSBU pays 100% for the employee only coverage level of two different health insurance plan options:  an HMO and a PPO.  In addition, NSBU contributes 50% towards dependent care health coverage which increases incrementally with longevity.   Furthermore, NSBU provides life and AD&D insurance at a coverage level of 1x the employee’s annual salary for each plan and provide Group Short-Term Disability coverage.  NSBU offers a generous Personal Leave Time off package and has twelve (12) paid holidays per year

Application Method & Tentative Selection Process

To be considered for the GM/CEO position, interested individuals should submit their resume with professional references included and cover letter to Jon@Energists.com and Elizabeth@Energists.com.

***Please note: Under the Florida Public Records Act, all resumes are subject to disclosure, if they are requested.

This job advertisement will close on September 27, 2024. Candidates will be reviewed in October. Interviews with selected candidates are expected to be conducted with the Commissioners in November. The offer will be contingent upon successful completion of pre-employment security screenings. 

New Smyrna Beach Utilities is an Equal Opportunity Employer, a Drug Free Workplace, and extends preference to Veterans.

For additional information about New Smyrna Beach Utilities, please visit www.nsbufl.com.