Senior Maintenance Program Manager

Metro Water Recovery in Denver, CO - a nationally recognized leader among clean water utilities, provides wastewater conveyance and treatment services for more than 2 million people in the Denver Metro area.

At Metro, we help you be your best so we can do our best. You will join a team that offers stability, flexibility, and the opportunity to make a difference. We take pride in being part of an industry-leading team who serves the community by protecting the region’s health and environment.

The Senior Maintenance Program Manager provides technical leadership and strategic direction in the development and implementation of a comprehensive reliability maintenance program and the reliability section employees. This role is responsible for developing programs to enhance equipment and system performance at Metro. The position reports directly to the Director of Maintenance.

Why It's a Great Opportunity:

Metro Water Recovery is committed to providing reliable, sustainable wastewater treatment services to our community, and our Maintenance Department plays a critical role in that mission. As the Senior Maintenance Program Manager, you will provide strategic leadership for Metro's reliability-centered maintenance program, ensuring our treatment facilities and critical infrastructure operate safely, efficiently, and reliably.

This is an exciting opportunity to shape the future of maintenance by developing and implementing programs that improve equipment performance, increase asset reliability, and support operational excellence. You'll lead initiatives that combine innovation, data-driven decision-making, and continuous improvement while collaborating with teams across the organization to deliver long-term value.

We offer a range of benefits, including a flexible work environment, a competitive salary, and an incentive training program to help you grow and develop your skills. This is just a small sample of all the benefits we offer!

Why It's a Great Department:

The Senior Maintenance Program Manager is a key leader within the Maintenance Department, reporting directly to the Director of Maintenance. Our team is dedicated to maximizing the performance, reliability, and longevity of Metro's critical assets. This division plays a vital role in ensuring our treatment facilities operate safely, efficiently, and with minimal downtime through proactive maintenance strategies, continuous improvement, and data-driven decision-making.

Our team works in close partnership with Operations, Facilities Maintenance, Mechanical Maintenance, and Electrical Maintenance to develop maintenance programs and support the reliable operation of our treatment plants and facilities. Collaboration is at the heart of what we do, as we work across departments to solve complex challenges, optimize asset performance, and implement innovative maintenance solutions.

How to be Successful in the Role:

We're looking for an experienced maintenance leader with a passion for reliability, asset management, and continuous improvement. Success in this role requires balancing strategic planning with hands-on leadership while guiding a team responsible for preventive and predictive maintenance programs.

You will lead the development of comprehensive maintenance strategies, oversee CMMS administration and maintenance planning, and use performance data to drive informed decisions that improve equipment reliability and operational efficiency. You'll collaborate with cross-functional teams to prioritize capital improvements, manage maintenance-related contracts, and implement innovative solutions that support Metro's reliability objectives.

Strong leadership, communication, and project management skills are essential. You'll coach and develop employees, manage maintenance resources and budgets, and foster a culture focused on safety, accountability, and continuous learning. Your ability to identify opportunities for improvement, manage competing priorities, and build strong partnerships across the organization will be key to your success.

At Metro, we value excellence, integrity, inclusion, and collaboration. We're looking for someone who shares these values and is committed to creating a safe, reliable, and high-performing maintenance organization.

Examples of Duties

1. Responsible for the development and recommendations of maintenance plans, programs, and budgets for plant systems and facilities. Oversee the design, installation, and commissioning of assets and modifications for enhanced reliability.
2. Leads preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance efforts using a Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS). Utilizes maintenance data to ensure effective program administration and data-driven decision-making.
3. Identifies and prioritizes opportunities for improvement related to equipment reliability, system availability, and operational efficiency. Guides planning and scheduling to support reliability goals.
4. Develop specifications for contracted services and oversee vendor performance to ensure high-quality, cost-effective outcomes. Collaborate with procurement staff to ensure procurement and contract administration is handled appropriately to meet maintenance needs.
5. Works closely with other departments to drive innovation, improve processes, and enhance plant reliability and operational efficiency.
6. Directs the development and implementation of plant equipment upgrades and facility improvements. Ensures compliance with safety standards, contracts, and regulatory requirements.
7. Responsible for the recruitment, training, evaluation, and development of reliability maintenance staff. Provides coaching, performance feedback, and disciplinary support.
8. Approves expenditures and requisitions within delegated authority. Manages resources to align with strategic and operational goals. Assist with the development of the maintenance department budget.
9. Plans and leads continuous improvement initiatives and maintenance training programs, including CMMS best practices.
10. Responsible for maintaining and promoting a safe working environment. Ensure employees complete all required training on time, maintain compliance with organizational requirements, and follow all safety protocols.
11. Performs other related tasks as assigned.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
Knowledge of:

• Reliability-centered maintenance strategies
• CMMS administration and data utilization
• Budget planning and capital project forecasting
• Procurement and contract management
• Continuous improvement principles and tools
• General office operations and MS Office Suite

Skilled at:

• Leading preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance efforts
• Developing and tracking maintenance performance KPIs
• Leading cross-functional improvement projects and teams
• Project management from planning through execution
• Conflict resolution and effective team communication
• Mentoring, training, and performance development
• Active and empathic listening skills
• Team building and team management
• Managing disagreements, de-escalating conflicts and negotiating win-win solutions
• Direct supervisory responsibilities including candidate selection, coaching, performance management and enforcing procedures

Ability to:

• Understand and apply regulatory requirements related to wastewater plant maintenance
• Lead diverse teams effectively to achieve results
• Communicate clearly and persuasively, both verbally and in writing
• Collaborate in a team environment and work across departments
• Think strategically and execute tactically
• Identify challenges, develop solutions, and make sound decisions
• Apply and enforce policies consistently and fairly
• Ability to align group goals to Metro's values and mission
• Ability to effectively supervise staff

Education and Experience
Bachelor’s degree in business, Project Management, Engineering, or related field. A combination of education and relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.