Associate Director of Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing Systems - University of Southern Mississippi

At a glance

Join The University of Southern Mississippi as the Associate Director of Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing Systems and help shape the future infrastructure of a Carnegie R1 university campus. This high-impact leadership role oversees critical MEP systems across a complex institutional environment that operates much like a small city, including academic, residential, athletic, and historic facilities. You’ll play a key role in major campus infrastructure modernization efforts, deferred maintenance planning, utilities strategy, and renovation initiatives while partnering closely with skilled trades teams, consultants, and university leadership. This fully onsite opportunity offers meaningful long-term impact, strong work-life balance, tuition benefits for employees and dependents, relocation assistance, and the chance to influence the next generation of campus development at Southern Miss.

Description: What you'll be doing

Another Source’s client, The University of Southern Mississippi, is recruiting an Associate Director of Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing Systems to join their team onsite in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Relocation assistance is available for the right candidate.  This is an opportunity to help shape the long-term infrastructure future of an R1 university campus. 

Here’s a little about The University of Southern Mississippi: 

The University of Southern Mississippi (Southern Miss) is a Carnegie R1 public research university known for its commitment to innovation, student success, and community impact. With a strong reputation across academics, research, and campus development, Southern Miss continues to invest in the infrastructure and systems that support a vibrant university experience for students, faculty, and staff. 

The Physical Plant team plays a critical role in shaping and maintaining the campus environment across a large and complex institutional footprint. This is an opportunity to join a collaborative leadership team that values technical expertise, problem-solving, and long-term planning while supporting a campus community through strategic infrastructure initiatives and modernization efforts. 

Learn more about Southern Miss: https://www.usm.edu/physical-plant/overview.php 

About this role: 

Reporting to Brian Hauff, Senior Associate Vice President for Facilities Planning and Management, the Associate Director of Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing Systems serves as a key technical and operational leader within the Physical Plant organization. 

This role offers the opportunity to oversee critical campus infrastructure systems at a Carnegie R1 university while helping shape the long-term physical development of the institution. The Associate Director will provide engineering and technical leadership across mechanical, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, and energy management functions while supporting construction, renovation, sustainability, and campus utility initiatives. 

This position is ideal for a technically strong facilities, engineering, construction management, or MEP professional seeking meaningful impact, strong work-life balance, and the opportunity to grow into broader institutional leadership over time. 

How you will spend your time: 

• Provide leadership and technical oversight for campus electrical, HVAC, plumbing, and energy management operations  

• Support and guide two direct reports overseeing approximately 20 skilled trades employees across electrical, HVAC, and plumbing functions  

• Partner with architects, engineers, contractors, and internal stakeholders on new construction and renovation projects  

• Lead planning, design review, and implementation of MEP systems with an emphasis on operational efficiency and sustainability  

• Identify and implement energy conservation and utility cost reduction opportunities across campus systems  

• Monitor and evaluate campus utility consumption, reporting, and energy performance metrics  

• Ensure compliance with applicable utility, gas system, and environmental regulations  

• Serve as a technical resource for underground utility infrastructure and campus systems coordination  

• Support ongoing modernization initiatives, including integration of project management and work order systems  

• Contribute to grant applications, funding proposals, and long-range infrastructure planning efforts  

• Represent the university with state agencies, utility providers, and professional organizations  

Experience you will bring: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience  

• Four (4) years of facilities, engineering, construction, or related experience  

• In lieu of a degree, ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in a similar role may be considered  

• Experience supporting or overseeing MEP systems, facilities operations, construction projects, or campus infrastructure  

• Strong working knowledge of HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and/or energy systems  

• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, specifications, and technical documentation  

• Experience collaborating across teams and solving complex operational challenges  

• Strong communication and leadership skills with the ability to work effectively across technical and non-technical groups  

• Valid driver’s license required  

Preferred qualifications include: 

• Professional Engineering (PE) license in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering  

• Higher education facilities experience  

• LEED Accreditation  

• Experience with building automation systems (BAS), energy management systems, or facilities technology platforms  

What’s in it for you: 

The anticipated salary range for this position is $93,883 - $127,019. 

Southern Miss offers a strong benefits package and a work environment that supports long-term career growth and work-life balance, including: 

• Tuition remission benefits for employees and dependents  

• Stable, predictable schedules aligned with the academic calendar  

• Comprehensive medical, retirement, and paid leave programs  

• Opportunity to make a visible impact on a growing research university campus  

Learn more about employee benefits here: https://www.usm.edu/employment-human-resources/benefits.php 

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: 

The University of Southern Mississippi is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and respectful community. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected status under applicable law. 

Another Source works with their clients, on a retained project basis. We are committed to building inclusive candidate pools as we partner with hiring teams. As you read through the job posting and review the list of qualifications (required and/or preferred), please do not self-select out if you feel you do not meet every qualification. No one is 100% qualified. We encourage you to apply and share your story with us. 

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