Director, Operational Training

Primary Role

The Director, Operations Training is responsible for leading the company-wide operational training strategy, combining deep operational insight with strong enterprise program leadership. This role ensures the design and delivery of training programs that build the technical capabilities required to safely maintain, support, and operate water and wastewater systems.

Key Accountabilities

• Manage the processes and resources required for the maintenance and administration of technical training associated with Water and Wastewater System Treatment, Distribution, Collection and Field Services.
• Design and implement Operational Training programs and processes; provide leadership, guidance and management of a team engaged in the delivery of technical training services.
• Operational Performance Improvement Leadership - Facilitate the development and implementation of short-term and long-term strategic improvement initiatives to close performance gaps identified by performance metrics or benchmarking.
• Partner with business performance to ensure continued improvement in processes and focus on improved training effectiveness to address business needs based on performance trends and issues.
• Promote diversity and foster teamwork, collaboration and a learning organization.
• Maintain strong relationships with subject matter experts, occupational work groups and bargaining unit leadership in order to identify training needs and related content to meet business needs.
• Work with internal and external stakeholders to ensure continuous development of existing curriculums and methods for effectively delivering course content.
• Contribute to the development and management of performance measures to determine training effectiveness.
• Develop alternate training methods to deliver course content that includes the utilization of technology, and ensure training is delivered through the most effective means.

Knowledge/Skills

• Comprehensive knowledge of water and wastewater operations, including treatment, distribution, collection systems, and field services practices.
• Knowledge of program and project management disciplines, including planning, resource allocation, prioritization, and execution of large-scale, multi-site initiatives.
• Knowledge of regulatory and compliance requirements (e.g., EPA, state environmental regulations, operator certification standards) impacting water and wastewater operations.
• Understanding of operational performance metrics, benchmarking practices, and continuous improvement frameworks to assess and enhance training effectiveness.
• Knowledge of workforce planning, scheduling, and capacity modeling to align training delivery with operational demands.
• Awareness of labor relations and union environments, including collaboration with bargaining units and adherence to collective bargaining agreements.
• Understanding of change management and organizational development principles to support adoption of new training programs and operational improvements.
• Knowledge of safety standards and practices (e.g., OSHA) relevant to utility operations and field-based work environments.
• Familiarity with cross-functional business operations, including partnership with operations leadership and technical subject matter experts to align training with business needs.
• Strong process, project, and program management skills.
• Proven ability to lead through influence and deliver results through others.
• Ability to be both visionary and strategic in thinking, as well as tactical in executing training strategies while anticipating and considering how the business may be impacted by training initiatives.
• Strong quantitative skills (e.g., analytical, technical, problem solving).
• Effective people management skills (e.g., planning, organizing, recruiting, controlling, and leading individual staff and teams).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills (e.g., fluency in report writing and presentations).
• Effective interpersonal skills (e.g., persuasion, negotiation, listening, cooperation, tact, diplomacy, problem solving, internal consulting).
• Leadership presence (e.g., ability to deal effectively and maintain collaborative relationships with Company senior management and other key stakeholders).

Experience/Education

• Bachelor’s degree in operations management, industrial engineering, or related field is preferred.
• Equivalent role related work experience in lieu of a degree will be considered.
• 15 years of experience in the Utility, Manufacturing or Process Industry, with experience of training, developing and mentoring employees.
• 5 years in a leadership position with direct reports.
• Successful experience with implementing strategy across an organization.
• Experience within the water and/or wastewater utility industry is required.

Travel Requirements

Up to 20%

Work Environment

This role can be located at any office within the AW footprint. Hybrid schedule (3 days in the office and 2 days remote)

Certifications & Licenses

Water or wastewater Treatment or Production license(s) strongly preferred