Program Director

Career Blazers Nonprofit Search; El Paso (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous vacation & sick leave

Parental Leave: 23 weeks

Professional Development stipend

Employer covers medical insurance cost

Job summary

Career Blazers Nonprofit Search is helping a mission-driven organization expand water access across Texas and the Southwest. As Program Director, you will lead regional strategy, oversee infrastructure projects, policy engagement, and partnerships with utilities, government agencies, and community groups to deliver sustainable water solutions and lasting governance improvements.

Based in Texas, the role requires strong leadership, multi-year project management, fundraising collaboration, and a

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in community development, water/wastewater utilities, infrastructure, public policy, or a related field.
• Degree preferred; equivalent professional experience may be substituted.
• Strong knowledge of water utility systems, regulatory agencies, government processes, and policy advocacy, particularly in Texas.
• Proven success advancing infrastructure initiatives and supporting rural/underserved communities.
• Experience building partnerships with community members, government agencies, utilities, funders, and elected officials.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-sector collaborations and manage complex, multi-year projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic planning and execution of a regional water access program with multi-year goals and metrics.
• Oversee water infrastructure projects from planning to completion, on time and within budget.
• Build and maintain partnerships with utilities, local governments, community organizations, regulatory agencies, and officials.
• Monitor policy developments and advance equitable water access through advocacy and collaboration.
• Assess community needs and develop strategies to improve water, sanitation, and hygiene services.
• Manage program budgets and ensure compliance with policies and funding guidelines.
• Supervise staff, including coaching, hiring, and professional development.
• Oversee project operations: work plans, reporting, inventory, and data management.

Skills

Community development

Project management

Policy advocacy

Stakeholder engagement

Cross-sector collaboration

Spanish proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Join a mission-driven organization dedicated to expanding access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene for underserved communities across the United States. Through community partnerships, infrastructure development, advocacy, and innovative public-private collaborations, the organization empowers communities to build sustainable water systems while advancing long-term solutions to close the nation's water access gap.

As Program Director, you will lead efforts to expand water access in underserved communities across Texas and the Southwest. You will oversee strategic planning, community partnerships, infrastructure projects, policy engagement, and team leadership while working with residents, utilities, government agencies, and nonprofit partners to deliver sustainable water solutions and drive lasting systemic change.

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic planning and execution of a regional water access program, establishing multi-year goals, annual work plans, project timelines, and performance metrics
• Oversee the development and implementation of water infrastructure projects from planning through completion, ensuring projects are delivered safely, on time, and within budget
• Build and maintain partnerships with utilities, local governments, community organizations, regulatory agencies, and elected officials to expand water access and drive long-term, sustainable solutions
• Monitor state and local policy and regulatory developments, identifying opportunities to advance equitable water access through advocacy and collaboration
• Assess community needs and develop tailored strategies to improve water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services while strengthening long-term governance and funding models
• Manage program budgets, track expenditures, and ensure compliance with organizational policies, legal requirements, and funding guidelines
• Supervise program staff by providing coaching, performance management, hiring, professional development, and day-to-day leadership to foster a high-performing, collaborative team
• Oversee project operations, including work plans, construction reporting, inventory management, and program data to ensure successful outcomes
• Serve as the primary liaison for community partners and clients, providing technical assistance, resolving challenges, and coordinating support programs such as utility bill assistance
• Collaborate with fundraising and communications teams to support donor engagement, storytelling, media relations, volunteer activities, and community outreach
• Represent the organization at conferences, public meetings, and stakeholder events while preparing reports and updates for executive leadership
• Promote a culture of trust, collaboration, and continuous improvement across staff, partners, community members, and public stakeholders
• Support organizational initiatives and cross-functional projects

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in community development, water/wastewater utilities, infrastructure, public policy, or a related field
• Bachelor's degree preferred; equivalent professional experience may be substituted
• Strong knowledge of water utility systems, regulatory agencies, government processes, and policy advocacy, particularly in Texas
• Proven success advancing infrastructure initiatives, influencing policy, and supporting rural and underserved communities
• Experience building partnerships with community members, government agencies, utilities, funders, and elected officials
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-sector collaborations and manage complex, multi-year projects
• Strong organizational, project management, analytical, and problem-solving skills
• Strategic leader with the ability to navigate complex regulatory and political environments
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills with diverse stakeholders
• Adaptable and innovative, with the ability to drive change, improve processes, and quickly learn new systems
• Experience working across diverse cultural communities; Spanish proficiency is strongly preferred
• Willingness to travel 25%–40% as needed

Compensation

• Generous vacation and sick leave
• 23 weeks paid Parental Leave
• Annual Professional Development Stipend
• Spouse/Children/Family Offering: Employer covers up to $500 of the monthly cost for medical insurance for spouse/children/family; Employer covers 100% of the cost for dental and vision insurance for spouse/children/family
• One Medical membership
• Life insurance, 100% employer paid
• Work laptop
• Monthly cell phone use allowance
• Monthly internet use allowance
• 15 paid holidays (including one week closure for Labor Day)
• Domestic travel
• 401k retirement plan, with employer match