Director, Campus Plant - Princeton University
Princeton, NJ
About the Job
Overview
The Director, Campus Plant within Facilities Operations Engineering and Campus Energy is a leader and strategic partner in the Facilities organization. The Director of Campus Plant is responsible for the safe, reliable, and cost-efficient operation of two (2) Thermally Integrated Geo-Exchange Resources plants with chilled water and hot water storage tanks, one (1) Cogeneration Plant with integrated steam-driven and electric chilled water generation and storage, one (1) data center plant, and 19MW of solar production. These plants are integrated and operated to provide energy services to campus while minimizing cost and carbon footprint. Responsibilities include safe operation of the plant, supervision of the plant staff, stewardship over the operating and energy budgets, as well as developing, planning, budgeting, and implementing new plant projects including capacity or efficiency upgrades and major maintenance. The Director provides leadership and strategic vision to innovate, strengthen operational planning, and improve effectiveness and efficiency for Engineering and Campus Energy and across Operations.
The Director is a critical leader and contributor to Princeton University’s Sustainability Action Plan, playing a key role in determining the Net Zero carbon emissions goal and reaching it by 2046. The Director supports the Infrastructure Master Plan development and implementation, including periodic updates to incorporate improved modelling and new technologies. The Director provides guidance and leadership for the university’s hot water/heat pump/geo-exchange conversion from the old steam system, which will enable Princeton University to achieve its Net Zero carbon emissions goal without the use of offsets. This includes recommending program-level changes, developing and recommending concept-level budgets for large-scale utility projects; projecting and quantifying anticipated changes to operating budgets, resource use, and institutional carbon footprint; obtaining internal and external approvals in collaboration with the Executive Director of Engineering and Campus Energy; and overseeing the implementation of specific building and infrastructure projects.
The successful candidate will provide technical and managerial leadership for the utility plants, overseeing hiring, training, energy purchasing, safety programs, and equipment maintenance. They must have expertise in mechanical, electrical, and data systems, and lead by example to prioritize safety, compliance, reliability, and sustainability. Responsibilities include managing 3 direct reports and overseeing a team of 30, including union staff, and an annual operating budget of over $15 million. The role ensures safe and compliant plant operations, reliable service, and sustainable practices, while embodying Facilities core values of teamwork, innovation, integrity, inclusiveness, respect, and sustainability
- Safety: people and energy plant assets are safe.
- Compliance: the operation of the plants is compliant with all required regulations; Operator’s license requirements and plant permits are followed; and the letter and the spirit of plant contracts are followed.
- Reliability: customers always receive reliable service, independent of environmental conditions by minimizing service interruptions, proactively plan and announce maintenance outages, and prepare for unplanned maintenance events and react efficiently.
- Sustainability: the plants are designed, operated, and maintained in real time to achieve the lowest life-cycle cost and the lowest carbon footprint.
This work includes responding to emergencies anytime during the day, night, or weekends.
Responsibilities
Leadership and Management
This role provides strategic vision, leadership, and oversight to managerial, supervisory, technical, and administrative staff. Responsibilities include setting priorities, developing programs, and enhancing organizational performance. The position promotes team cohesion, handles issues decisively, and fosters a culture of safety. It requires clear communication, including formal presentations, and building positive relationships with peers. The role involves analyzing and adjusting organizational structures to meet evolving needs, managing labor relations, and ensuring alignment with institutional goals. Additionally, it advocates for professional development, ensures accountability, and promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.
Utility plants and infrastructure
This position oversees the university's energy plants, including cogeneration, chiller, geo-exchange, and solar facilities, ensuring safe and efficient operations. Responsibilities include managing safety programs for plant engineers, leading maintenance and expansion projects, and ensuring N+1 reliability. The role helps implement the Infrastructure Master Plan, including plant upgrades and solar projects, and manages the annual campus steam shutdown. Additionally, the position advises on energy conservation, sustainability, and funding, while coordinating with regulatory bodies and utility providers on key issues impacting the university.
Campus Energy and Sustainability
Plays a critical leadership role in the development, execution, and implementation of the university's strategy for minimizing fossil fuel usage, carbon emissions, and energy cost, including the innovative geo-exchange and conversion from steam to hot water programs; key player in the program to achieve goal of Net Zero carbon scope 1 and 2 emissions while playing a key supporting role for scope 3; provides leadership to the selection, acquisition and implementation of new equipment and systems to meet Princeton's sustainability goals and objectives, overseeing the work of vendors and external contractors and ensuring proper training of staff; oversees ongoing monitoring, tracking and reporting on energy conservation and production and leads the development of initiatives and special projects to conserve water and energy
Business Administration
This role provides leadership in administrative, financial, and operational planning for the Campus Plant, ensuring efficiency and effectiveness. Responsibilities include managing annual budgets for utility plants and energy, overseeing utility purchases, and optimizing real-time equipment dispatch to reduce costs. The role ensures budget compliance, supervises purchasing and accounting functions, and manages vendor contracts. It fosters a data-driven decision-making culture, leveraging insights for improved planning and operational outcomes. Additionally, the position stays informed on higher education trends and collaborates with internal and external organizations using business intelligence tools to enhance decision-making within Facilities.
Stakeholder and Partner Engagement
This role involves active participation in campus, regional, and international committees to foster communication and collaboration. The position ensures strong partnerships across campus, encourages feedback on Facilities services, and adapts operations to maintain high service levels. It stays updated on industry best practices and trends in Engineering and Campus Energy, engaging with trade associations and attending conferences to monitor developments and share university progress with industry peers.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering (Mechanical or Electrical), Physics, or related field and 10 years or more of progressive experience in energy plants including familiarity with boilers, chillers, cooling towers, digital controls and common plant components; or an equivalent combination of education and experience
- Professional Engineering license in NJ; a PE in another state is acceptable if it is transferable to NJ within two years
- Demonstrated success in leadership of people with proven skills to effectively engage, advocate for, and motivate a diverse workforce
- Strong ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, at all levels and give formal presentations to diverse audiences
- Ability to successfully manage multiple tasks at once and determine appropriate priorities
- Ability to make independent interpretations and make appropriate decisions that are in the best interest of the organization and that are consistent with the objectives of senior administration
- Ability to prepare, analyze and manage complex operating budgets
- Knowledge of and familiarity with industrial controls and IT security
- Ability to read, interpret, and understand construction documents, product specifications, sequences of operation, control drawings, and other technical data
- Proficient in the use of business application software
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Master’s degree in engineering, business, or closely related discipline
- Experience with industrial-scale heat pumps, thermal storage, diesel generators, megawatt-scale batteries, and geo-exchange technologies
- Knowledge of and familiarity with real-time electricity and energy commodities markets
- Prior experience in a higher education residential campus setting
- Experience leading and managing in a union environment
- Experienced in the use of a computerized maintenance management software program
- Certified Energy Manager Accreditation
- LEED Accreditation
Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS