Electric Utilities Director

Job Summary

The City of Morganton is actively seeking an experienced and visionary professional to join its leadership team in the role of Electric Utility Director. With a strong emphasis on innovation and community impact, this role is ideal for a seasoned professional eager to shape the future of a well-established electric utility. The position offers the opportunity to lead strategic planning, drive operational improvements, and guide the department through evolving industry demands, all while playing a key role in the city’s broader development goals. Morganton presents itself as a forward-thinking, supportive workplace ready to empower the right candidate to make a meaningful difference.

Morganton, North Carolina, is a vibrant city nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, offering a high quality of life and a unique blend of small-town charm with progressive governance. With a population of 18,000, it boasts a thriving downtown, rich cultural amenities, and a full-service municipal government — including its own broadband network, performing arts center, and utilities. The city operates under a Council-Manager form of government and recently completed its IMAGINE Morganton 2040 plan, signaling a strong commitment to intentional and innovative growth. The city’s reputation for exceeding expectations makes it a standout among similarly sized municipalities.

The Electric Department supports over 10,000 customers with a $30 million annual budget and a 24-person team. The new director will be expected to lead strategic initiatives, oversee departmental operations, adopt emerging technologies, and champion customer service and staff development. The ideal candidate will bring strong leadership skills, technical expertise, and a proactive, solution-oriented mindset. Morganton is looking for someone who can operate independently, inspire their team, and build lasting relationships with both internal stakeholders and the broader community.

Please view the recruiting brochure to learn more.

Primary Responsibilities

• Developing a strategic plan for the department, focusing on providing superior & reliable power both today and into the future, innovations to improve customer experience, and developing employees for the electric industry of the future.
• Serving as the City’s representative on the Board for NC Municipal Power Agency #1.
• Forecasting, planning, and budgeting for both short-term and long-term operational demands to ensure capacity and resource needs are met efficiently.
• Investigating, recommending, and implementing new technologies to move department forward and improve customer service.
• Directing and overseeing department’s work plan, assigning tasks, tracking progress on key projects and programs, and evaluating outcomes, methods, and procedures to ensure efficiency and quality.
• Overseeing the day-to-day operations of the electric department; Managing personnel and leading staff by overseeing performance, supporting development, and ensuring alignment with departmental and city-wide goals while creating a culture where safety is paramount.
• Building strong relationships with key customers and major accounts through regular communication.

Job Requirements

• • Any combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with major course work in engineering, business administration, public administration or related field.
  • Work history of increasingly responsible duties in utility operations, supervision, and management capacities.

This position will be open until filled. The first review of applications will be the week of November 10.

Apply online