Utility General Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Lone Mountain Land Company (LMLC) manages the planning, entitlement, building, marketing, and sale of premier real estate communities around Big Sky, Montana. The company supports world-class operations at Spanish Peaks Mountain Club and Moonlight Basin and oversees real estate activities at Spanish Peaks, Moonlight Basin, Big Sky Town Center, and other projects in the Big Sky region.

Position Summary

The Utility General Manager provides overall leadership, strategic planning, and operational oversight for LMLC’s utility systems, including water, wastewater, and power infrastructure serving its Big Sky communities. This role is responsible for the management, operation, and long-term stewardship of utility assets exceeding $500 million in infrastructure value.

The Utility General Manager ensures safe, reliable, compliant, and sustainable utility services while supporting community growth, land development, and environmental stewardship. This position leads utility staff, manages external partners, oversees budgets and capital planning, and serves as a key liaison with regulatory agencies, power providers, community stakeholders, and LMLC leadership.

Primary Responsibilities

Utility Leadership & Operations

• Provide executive-level leadership and operational oversight for water, wastewater, and power systems serving LMLC communities in Big Sky, MT which includes all infrastructure assets.
• Direct the operation and maintenance of water supply sources, including wells, surface water intakes, storage, pumping systems, SCADA systems, and related infrastructure.
• Oversee water transmission and distribution systems to ensure reliable delivery, pressure management, and system integrity.
• Manage water treatment operations and ensure compliance with all drinking water standards and treatment processes.
• Oversee wastewater treatment intended for beneficial reuse, ensuring environmental and regulatory compliance are followed for safe reuse practices.
• Direct power distribution system operations, including lines, transformers, meters, and system dependability planning.
• Coordinate annually with Northwestern Energy on power supply and demand planning.

Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations, including requirements from Montana Department of Environmental Quality, Environmental Protection Agency, and public health authorities.
• Oversee regulatory reporting, permitting, and inspections across all utility systems.
• Track and report annual system performance metrics supported by operational data.
• Lead emergency preparedness and response efforts related to utility outages, system failures, and natural disasters.

Financial & Asset Management

• Develop and manage utility operating budgets, capital improvement plans, reserves, rate studies, and long-term financial strategies.
• Lead asset management and infrastructure planning to support system resilience, growth, and adaptability.
• Oversee procurement and management of contracts for engineering, construction, operations support, and professional services for utility projects.
• Provide technical and operational input for land development reviews related to utility expansions and system modifications.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Supervise, mentor, and evaluate utility staff.
• Promote a culture of safety, accountability, training, and professional development to build future utility industry leaders.
• Ensure workplace safety compliance and implementation of industry best practices.
• Coordinate closely with LMLC development teams, community owners’ association leadership, regulatory agencies, and local partners.
• Communicate clearly and effectively with community boards, management, and staff regarding system performance, capital projects, and operational priorities.

Sustainability & Stewardship

• Promote sustainability initiatives including water conservation, energy efficiency, and responsible resource management.
• Support environmental stewardship efforts aligned with LMLC’s long-term community values.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Environmental Science, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in utility operations, infrastructure management, or public/private utility leadership.
• Demonstrated experience managing large-scale utility assets and complex infrastructure systems.
• Strong knowledge of water, wastewater, and power utility operations, regulations, and best practices.
• Experience working with regulatory agencies, governing boards, and community stakeholders.

Qualifications & Skills

• Proven leadership and people-management experience.
• Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, capital planning, and rate development.
• Experience with SCADA systems, asset management programs, and performance metrics.
• Ability to evaluate technical information and provide strategic recommendations.
• Strong problem-solving, decision-making, and risk-management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to communicate complex technical information to non-technical audiences.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities.
• High degree of professionalism, integrity, and accountability.

Physical Requirements

• Ability and willingness to work in a variety of weather and field conditions as needed.
• Ability to traverse utility sites with varying terrain and elevation.

Additional Requirements

• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.
• Commitment to safety, environmental responsibility, and continuous improvement.

Benefits Offered

• Medical, dental, vision insurance offered
• Flexible Spending Account
• Health Savings Account with Employer Contribution
• Employee Life Insurance – paid by Employer
• Voluntary Life & AD&D Insurance options
• Long Term Disability – paid by Employer
• Short Term Disability – paid by Employer
• 401K Retirement Plan with Employer Match
• Identity Theft Insurance
• Critical Illness Insurance
• Accident Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• Parental Leave
  
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Time Off
• Free Ski Pass - subject to availability at time of hire

LMLC Operations, LLC provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training