Assistant Director, Engineering and Planning

Assistant Director, Engineering and Planning

Work Arrangement: Requisition Number: 261408 Regular or Temporary: Regular Location:

Durham, NC, US, 27710

Personnel Area: CENTRAL ADMIN MANAGEMENT CTR Date: Feb 15, 2026

Occ Summary

As part of the Facilities Management Department, Duke Utilities and Engineering Services (DUES) provides the utility services to the Duke University Campus and Medical Center including Chilled Water, Steam, Hot Water, High Voltage Power Distribution, Domestic Water, Sewer, and Stormwater. The Assistant Director of Engineering oversees a team to provide engineering & planning support to the utility distribution system and utility plants. The Engineering Team also provides engineering & planning support to other FMD teams such as Building Maintenance and Office of Project Management.

The Assistant Director of Engineering responsibilities include: guiding and supporting the engineers to ensure the safe, reliable, efficient operation of the systems; interfacing with FMD and other Duke organizations to comprehend growth plans and process changes; capital planning to accommodate expansion, reliability improvements, and efficiency enhancements; coordination of consultants and special services for engineering, surveys, system or program analysis; support of design and construction of new or renovated buildings; and setting goals and tracking organizational performance. The Assistant Director of Engineering will provide input and support to other members of the Duke Utilities & Engineering Services management team. This person will report to the Executive Director of Utilities & Engineering Services and oversee a staff of electrical, mechanical, and civil engineers.

Work Performed:

Engineering Management

• Provide cost effective designs to ensure system reliability and safety via engineering team or outside engineering firms
• Research, develop and implement processes to improve system reliability
• Research new technologies to drive increases in reliability and efficiency of utility & building systems
• Direct and manage outside engineering firm designs and studies
• Perform project feasibility studies including project estimation & payback analysis
• Design support and technical guidance to Office of Project Management for new construction & renovation projects
• Update and maintain the University’s design standards for mechanical, electrical, civil, & control systems

Utility System Planning

• Integrate University & Medical Center Master Plans to update and maintain a comprehensive Utility Master Plan
• Provide intra-utility system integration and planning
• Perform high-level project planning and timing of needs
• Understand and document each buildings and customers utility service requirements

Departmental Support

• Support Energy Management strategy implementation with engineering and technical support
• Provide Project Management technical support
• Support maintenance & operation for both university buildings and utility systems
• Develop and implement processes to review and follow facility design and construction
• Review and coordinate construction and renovation plans for architectural, structural and utility compatibility with existing and planned University facilities and systems

People Leadership & Development

• Direct controls, electrical, mechanical & civil engineers
• Manage workloads to meet priorities and deadlines of Duke
• Manage various personnel actions with the Department of Human Resources Manager and with University Human Resources personnel to ensure that applicable policies are followed
• Provide leadership and resources (financial, training and education, tools and equipment) for the engineering team to allow team members to accomplish personal, professional and team goals.
• Appraise individual and team performance measured against established performance expectations, objectives and team priorities, and define methods for improvement and individual career development

General Management

• Ensure a safe work environment is maintained and embraced by the entire organization; champion selected ESH programs and take ownership in ESH results.
• Establish team mission and team priorities and perform strategic planning to support higher-level objectives (policy deployment, organizational vision)
• Set goals for team and putting processes in place to achieve
• Establish performance metrics for the team and track success
• Support Utilities & Engineering Services team by conducting business process development & implementation as directed
• Manage engineering team budget and drive cost reduction ideas
• Review proposed policies and procedures: evaluate and serve in an advisory capacity to the Executive Director and other University officials as required; make recommendations for improvements in facility, systems and management programs
• Prepare such operational reports, analyses, database management systems and informational systems as may be required to properly note project status, program progress, adverse or positive trends for the appropriate recommendation or conclusions to be reached
• Act on behalf of the Executive Director for the department and during emergencies when needed
• Help identify improvements and drive use of information systems that increase efficiency and effectiveness of the engineering team
• Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein or as may be assigned by the Director pursuant to the above-described duties

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.

Anticipated Pay Range:

Duke University provides an annual base salary range for this position as USD $89,877.00 to USD $179,754.00. Duke University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position; candidate's work experience, education/training, and key skills; internal peer equity; as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Mechanical, or Civil Engineering

Experience

• Minimum of five years of management of multi-disciplined engineering team
• Excellent facilitation, collaboration, and communication skills to interface effectively with business partners, external suppliers, direct reports and team members.
• Demonstrated teaching/coaching skills and servant-leadership approach to management.
• Basic financial management acumen
• Highly proficient in use of MS Office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Project, Visio, etc.)

Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation or military status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends onthe robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.

Nearest Major Market: Durham
Nearest Secondary Market: Raleigh