CEO, Water Resilience Coalition

Pacific Institute; United States; Remote; USD 190,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading organization focused on water resilience is seeking an Executive to drive strategic initiatives and partnerships. The role involves developing and implementing the WRC's strategic plan, engaging senior executives, and overseeing financial sustainability. This position offers a unique opportunity to address global water challenges through corporate engagement and collaboration.

Benefits

Annual Bonus

Retention Bonus

Qualifications

• 10-15+ years in senior leadership, preferably in business, sustainability, or global strategy.
• Proven experience in large-scale partnerships, water management, climate resilience.

Responsibilities

• Drive execution of the WRC 2025-2030 strategy, collaborating with stakeholders.
• Build relationships with current and potential members to increase participation.
• Manage budgets and financial reporting, leading fundraising efforts.

Skills

Leadership

Partnership Development

Strategic Planning

Stakeholder Engagement

Financial Management

Job description

Get AI-powered advice on this job and more exclusive features.

This range is provided by Pacific Institute. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range

$190,000.00/yr - $210,000.00/yr

Additional compensation types

Annual Bonus

Location: Remote (Must reside within the US / East Coast preferred)

Salary range: Range $190,000-210,000 per year, commensurate with qualifications, geographic location, and inclusive of a competitive benefits package. This position includes a $20,000 retention bonus, payable after six months of continuous employment.

Travel: International business travel will be required (25%-30%, contingent on funding), including overnight stays.

The Water Resilience Coalition (WRC) is an industry-driven, CEO-led initiative led by the CEO Water Mandate. In partnership with the UN Global Compact, the Pacific Institute serves as the WRC's secretariat. The WRC aims to elevate the global water crisis and its link to climate change, promoting corporate action in 100 water-stressed basins and setting ambitious resilience goals.

About The Role:

Reporting to the Pacific Institute President, Jason Morrison, and the Leadership Committee, the WRC CEO will drive the vision and operationalize the strategic direction of the WRC, a global initiative focused on water impact through corporate engagement. This role requires a business-minded executive with leadership, partnership development, and strategic planning skills to ensure the growth and success of WRC’s goals. Key focus areas include advancing the 2030 roadmap, scaling WRC’s reach by recruiting 150 major water-using companies, and securing financial and institutional support.

Key priorities include:

1. Developing and executing the WRC's 2025-2030 strategic plan (WRC 2.0), aligning water management and sustainability strategies with member business objectives.
2. Engaging senior executives to ensure active participation, integrating water resilience into corporate strategies, and positioning WRC as a leader in water issues.
3. Overseeing financial sustainability, leading fundraising efforts, and managing the WRC budget.
4. Guiding governance evolution and fostering cross-industry collaboration to scale impact.

This role offers an exciting opportunity for a visionary leader skilled in stakeholder engagement, operational expertise, and building strategic partnerships to address global water challenges effectively.

Responsibilities:

Strategy Development and Implementation

• Drive execution of the WRC 2025-2030 strategy (WRC 2.0), collaborating with stakeholders including the CEO Water Mandate, UN Global Compact, and Pacific Institute.
• Lead efforts toward WRC’s 2030 ambitions and 2050 Net Positive Water Impact goal, engaging members actively in initiatives.
• Foster a collaborative, innovative culture addressing water scarcity.
• Adapt strategic direction as needed to meet global water and corporate needs.

Member Management and Engagement

• Build relationships with current and potential members, increasing participation and investment.
• Leverage C-suite relationships to grow membership and influence.
• Understand member companies’ goals to align strategies and support water initiatives.

Governance and Leadership

• Oversee WRC 2.0 governance model implementation.
• Lead and motivate a dynamic team to achieve strategic goals.
• Maintain alignment on member engagement, Task Force operations, and communications.
• Provide strategic updates to the Leadership Committee.

Financial Management and Fundraising

• Manage budgets and financial reporting.
• Lead fundraising efforts, identify new revenue streams, and cultivate partnerships for funding water projects.

Events, Communication, and Meetings

• Plan and execute annual events and high-level meetings, including CEO Circle meetings during WEF and UNGA/Climate Week.
• Manage agendas, ensure strong participation, and support strategic communications to elevate water issues.

Recruitments:

• Executive leadership: 10-15+ years in senior leadership, preferably in business, sustainability, or global strategy.
• Business acumen, partnership development, strategic thinking, team leadership, communication, stakeholder engagement, change management, financial skills.

Preferred qualifications include proven experience in large-scale partnerships, water management, climate resilience, and fluency in relevant languages.

Seniority level

• Executive

Employment type

• Full-time

Industries

• Research Services