Executive Director

Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority; Charlottesville (VA); On-site; USD 230,000 - 280,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Job summary

The Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority (RWSA) and Rivanna Solid Waste Authority (RSWA) invite applications for an Executive Director to provide strategic leadership for regional utilities serving Charlottesville, Albemarle County, and the University of Virginia.

The successful candidate will bring extensive public utility leadership, oversee budgets and capital programs, foster safety, environmental stewardship, and strong community relations to sustain reliable service.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field is required.
• Master’s degree and professional licensure or certification preferred.
• Minimum 15 years of relevant experience, with at least 5 in a leadership role.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for RWSA and RSWA.
• Oversee safety, reliability, and environmental stewardship.
• Lead capital planning and large-scale budgets.
• Build relationships with boards, local governments, regulators, and the community.
• Ensure regulatory compliance and exceptional public service.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Budget management

Stakeholder relations

Safety & compliance

Team development

Education

Bachelor's degree required

Master's degree preferred

Job description

The Rivanna Authorities are seeking an accomplished, forward-thinking executive to serve as our next Executive Director, providing strategic leadership for the Rivanna Water & Sewer Authority (RWSA) and Rivanna Solid Waste Authority (RSWA).

Serving the Charlottesville, Albemarle County, and University of Virginia community, the Rivanna Authorities provide essential regional services including drinking water treatment, wastewater treatment, recycling, refuse services, and associated environmental and infrastructure programs.

Reporting to the Boards of Directors of RWSA and RSWA, the Executive Director leads an organization of approximately 130 employees and is responsible for organizational strategy, utility operations, financial stewardship, capital planning, infrastructure reliability and resiliency, regulatory compliance, workforce development, environmental stewardship, and relationships with regional partners and the community.

The next Executive Director will join the Authorities during an important period of continued investment and growth. We are seeking a leader who can balance the operational demands of providing essential public services today with the long-term infrastructure, workforce, technology, environmental, and financial needs of the region.

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Significant executive or senior leadership experience in public utilities, water/wastewater, solid waste, infrastructure, local government, or a closely related field;
• Strong strategic and organizational leadership;
• Experience with complex capital and operating budgets;
• Ability to develop productive relationships with governing boards, local governments, regional partners, regulators, employees, and the community;
• Sound judgment and the ability to make timely, fact-based decisions;
• A collaborative leadership approach that develops and empowers employees;
• Commitment to safety, reliability, environmental stewardship, transparency, innovation, and exceptional public service.

The successful candidate minimum qualifications:

• A Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Science, Engineering, Chemistry, Biology, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related discipline is required.
• A Master's Degree and relevant professional licensure or certification are preferred.
• Candidates must have at least 15 years of progressively responsible relevant experience, including at least five years in a senior or leadership role.

• The salary range for this position is $230,000 – $280,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications