Director of Electric Utility (Naperville, IL)

Director of Electric Utility

Location: Naperville, IL (On-site)

Our client is seeking an accomplished electric utility leader to oversee a critical infrastructure operation serving a growing and dynamic community. This high-impact executive opportunity offers the chance to shape long-term utility strategy, guide major infrastructure investments, and lead a talented team responsible for delivering safe, dependable, and cost-effective electrical service. The ideal candidate will bring a combination of technical expertise, financial discipline, and people-first leadership to strengthen operational performance and position the utility for continued success.

This Role Offers

• Opportunity to lead a large-scale electric utility operation with a meaningful impact on community infrastructure and service reliability.
• Executive-level influence over long-term planning, infrastructure modernization, and strategic investment priorities.
• Leadership of experienced technical and operational professionals across multiple utility functions.
• A highly visible position offering collaboration with senior leadership, community stakeholders, and industry partners.
• The ability to champion innovation, operational excellence, workforce development, and a strong safety culture.

Focus

• Provide executive direction across electric utility operations, aligning service delivery, infrastructure performance, and organizational priorities with long-term objectives.
• Oversee electrical supply, transmission, distribution, metering, system maintenance, and construction activities to support reliable service.
• Direct operating and capital budgets, financial planning, utility rate evaluations, and resource allocation to promote fiscal responsibility.
• Lead infrastructure improvement initiatives, including system expansion, engineering coordination, contractor oversight, and capital project execution.
• Build and mentor high-performing teams while strengthening accountability, employee engagement, succession planning, and workplace safety.
• Collaborate with executive leadership, regulatory stakeholders, employees, and customers to address operational priorities and evolving community needs.
• Advance process improvements, technology adoption, and performance measurement initiatives that enhance utility efficiency and customer service.

Skill Set

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering from an accredited college or university.
• Minimum of eight years of progressively responsible leadership experience managing an electric utility of comparable size and complexity, including personnel, facilities, operations, maintenance, and construction.
• Valid State of Illinois driver's license.
• Comprehensive understanding of electric supply, transmission, distribution, metering, utility operations, maintenance, and associated construction practices.
• Demonstrated success managing utility operating and capital budgets, major infrastructure projects, financial resources, and multidisciplinary personnel.
• Strong executive communication, organizational leadership, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage senior leadership, employees, customers, and the public.
• Preferred qualifications include a degree in Electrical Engineering, a Master of Business Administration, or an Illinois Professional Engineer license.

About Blue Signal:

Blue Signal is an award-winning, executive search firm specializing in various specialties. Our recruiters have a proven track record of placing top-tier talent across industry verticals, with deep expertise in numerous professional services. Learn more at bit.ly/46Gs4yS