Southeast Community Support Manager

Water Finance Exchange (WFX); United States; Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits package

Vacation and sick leave

Comprehensive health plan

Job summary

A nonprofit organization focused on sustainable water infrastructure is seeking a Southeast Community Support Manager based in Mississippi/Tennessee. The role involves outreach to communities, building partnerships, and providing technical assistance to enhance water infrastructure. Candidates should possess a relevant degree and 3-5 years of experience. Competitive benefits package offered.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of experience in relevant sectors of public utilities, finance, or municipal governance.
• Enthusiasm and willingness to learn.
• Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously.
• Proficiency with MS Office and data analysis tools.
• Ability to lead outreach and build partner relationships.
• Willingness to travel 20-25% to communities.

Responsibilities

• Lead outreach to communities in Mississippi and Tennessee.
• Build partnerships with municipal groups and stakeholders.
• Conduct financial due diligence and research in the water sector.
• Assist in audit/regulatory compliance reviews.
• Perform due diligence assessments and coordinate services with WFX team.
• Manage community trust and communicate with local leaders and engineers.

Skills

Proficiency in MS Office programs

Strong writing and editing skills

Attention to detail

Intellectual flexibility

Community outreach

Finance knowledge

Education

BA or BS degree, preferably in Engineering, Finance, Accounting, or Economics

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Finance/Economics

Tools

MS Excel

Job description

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Position: Southeast Community Support Manager, Full-Time; Based in Mississippi/Tennessee

Who We Are

The Water Finance Exchange (WFX) is a partnership between federal and state stakeholders, communities, philanthropy, and the financial sector to address the funding shortage of water infrastructure projects for thousands of American communities. A 501(c)(3) not-for-profit, WFX is comprised of a team of water and finance professionals devoted to supporting communities across the U.S. reach sustainable water infrastructure solutions, encompassing economic, public health, and environmental needs.

Our model is to provide neutral, third-party expertise to develop water solutions for small and underserved communities from the ground up, rather than top-down. We work at a local level together with communities to provide support to reach sustainable water solutions while providing accessible financing opportunities to remove roadblocks that prevent projects from launching.

WFX believes it can support the efforts of small, rural, and disadvantaged communities to access funding by assembling the best expertise, building trusted relationships with communities, completing projects, and disseminating information about recurring issues and solutions that allow for scaling-up funding of similarly situated communities and regional initiatives. WFX aims to serve as a national platform to accelerate the adoption of best practices, increase the ability of smaller communities to access financing, and close the water infrastructure equity gap across the country.

Launched in 2020, WFX has created a pipeline of community water infrastructure project opportunities and is expanding its efforts to match the new federal and state investments in water infrastructure.

As part of its growth, WFX is seeking to add a full-time Southeast Community Support Manager to support activities in Mississippi and Tennessee, with potential support for communities in Louisiana/Arkansas.

Job Summary

WFX is seeking a Southeast Community Support Manager to assist in supporting communities primarily in Mississippi and Tennessee (and additional priority states in nearby proximity) that are working to implement sustainable infrastructure solutions. This staffing position would work directly with WFX’s leadership, Senior Advisor team, and its existing partners in the Southeast to build its project pipeline, analyze and conduct due diligence on technical assistance needs within target communities. In addition, this new hire will support efforts in Southeast states to develop and implement regional solutions for appropriate communities to achieve economy of scale solutions for water and wastewater services.

This position will lead engagements with communities in the Southeast, manage community referrals and support, and engage in community projects that grow beyond initial technical assistance engagements. This position will support the efforts of the Southeast Community Support Director position and provide project planning and support functions.

This position is responsible for communicating with communities and leaders, conducting outreach with partner organizations, and providing direct technical assistance support to communities in partnership with WFX’s internal team. This can include routine and complex financial and economic information and issues pertaining to water utilities, such as rate and affordability analysis for smaller utilities. In addition, the position will focus on project development, financial feasibility analysis, and programmatic assistance.

The Community Support Manager is responsible for managing key aspects of WFX’s operations in the Southeast, including state and federal funding application support, financing solutions, and coordination with other technical assistance partneres and state agencies. The Community Support Manager plays a vital role in leading day-to-day activities, facilitating collaboration, and contributing to the overall efficiency of the Southeast team and other responsibilities, as needed. This candidate will report to the Southeast Community Support Director.

The ideal candidate will have completed a BA or BS degree and should be self-determined, motivated, and enthusiastic about learning and advancing their career. WFX’s has offices in Washington D.C. and San Antonio, Texas, but the majority of the team works remotely. This position will be based in Mississippi/Tennessee and the specific location will be determined by the candidate’s needs.

Travel to communities in the service area to conduct site visits and support technical assistance activities will be required and is expected to be approximately 20-25% of the employee’s effort.

Responsibilities

• Lead and conduct direct outreach to communities in Mississippi and Tennessee (and additional priority states in nearby proximity) to market WFX’s technical assistance and pre-development services. Serve as main point of contact for engaged communities.
• Lead efforts with engaged partners to develop and implement regional solutions that can provide water and wastewater services to eligible communities.
• Build and maintain partnerships with partners such as municipal groups, state agencies, and other stakeholders.
• Build and maintain funding and financing opportunities to support WFX’s activities in Southeast states, as well as funding and financing opportunities for community support.
• Engage communities and conduct first due diligence assessments of communities.
• Serve as technical assistance support, coordinating services for communities and working with WFX team and its partners to provide expertise.
• Build and maintain community trust and relationships at a variety of levels in a community, including community members, city staff, political leaders, utility managers, and engineers.
• Conduct financial due diligence and research various municipal, private, and corporate entities in the water sector.
• Assist in audit/regulatory compliance reviews, including reviewing the terms of legal and governance documents.
• Assist in the development, maintenance, and enhancement of screening processes and decision-making procedures and tools.
• Must have an undergraduate (bachelor’s) degree, preferably in Engineering, Finance, Accounting, or Economics.
• 3-5 years of experience in relevant sectors of public utilities, finance, or municipal governance.
• Proficiency in MS office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Strong writing and editing skills, including comfort working with long technical reports.
• Enthusiasm and willingness to learn.
• Attention to detail and an ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously.
• Intellectual flexibility and adaptability for working a wide range of industries and assignments.

Preferred

• Graduate degree (MA, MS, and/or MBA) in Economics, Public Policy, Engineering, or Finance.
• At least 1-2 years of experience in municipal government, financial sector, or the water supply and sanitation sector.
• Knowledge of the State Revolving Funds and other infrastructure funding sources.
• Preference may be given to candidates in Central/South Mississippi due to geographic coverage needs.

Remuneration

This is a full-time position based in Mississippi or Tennessee. Salary commensurate with experience. WFX offers a competitive benefits package that includes vacation and sick leave and a comprehensive health plan.

How to Apply

Applicants should submit the following to [e-mail]:

• A cover letter of qualifications;
• Resume (applicant may be asked to follow-up with professional references); and,
• Writing samples demonstrating experience preparing formal technical documents, such as memoranda, or reports with respect to finance or economic issues.