Company Description

WateReuse Association

WateReuse is a powerful voice for policy, innovation, education and knowledge sharing to achieve water resiliency in communities across the nation. The not-for-profit organization is the only national trade association that focuses solely on advancing laws, policies and funding to increase water reuse. The organization also sponsors and supports initiatives to transfer knowledge and build public acceptance of water reuse.

Water is essential to healthy, livable communities. Water reuse is the only guaranteed method to provide communities with a safe, reliable, and locally controlled water supply that protects the environment, sustains economic growth and provides a high quality of life.

WateReuse is organized under Section 501(c)6 of the Internal Revenue Service code. The trade association has more than 500 members, including more than 200 utilities representing more than 60 million Americans or 20% of the nation’s population. The organization also has nearly 200 businesses, including many of the world’s largest engineering firms.

The current 5-year strategic plan and primary focus of the Executive Director include:

• Advance policies and funding at local, state, and federal levels to promote the expansion of water recycling across all sectors.
• Strengthen position as the premier authority on water reuse and that all water has value.
• Strengthen position as the leading communications platform that creates trust and passion in our communities for water reuse.
• Grow and support membership so the Association can effectively accomplish its mission.
• Strengthen and strategically expand WateReuse Sections to support the overall strategic mission, goals, and objectives of the organization.
• Implement a multi-year operations, staffing, and financial strategy to achieve strategic goals and objectives.

Scope and Responsibilities

The Executive Director is the Chief Executive/Operating Officer of WateReuse and reports directly to the Executive Committee of the Association. The Executive Committee is comprised of the President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, and Past President of the Board of Directors.

The Executive Director is responsible for the day-to-day management of the organization under the general direction of the Board of Directors.

Specific Responsibilities

• Serve as principal liaison to the Board of Directors.
• Implement long-term and short-term strategic plan.
• Develop and report performance measures to ensure the successful implementation of the strategic plan.
• Develop and implement a strategic congressional and federal advocacy program that achieves measurable results.
• Develop opportunities to harness the power and influence of members to strengthen advocacy efforts on the national level.
• Engage and direct activities of contract lobbyists.
• Provide strategic direction and leadership to policy and planning committees which are comprised of members.
• Support strategic advocacy and education efforts with the state sections (currently 13).
• Lead, coach, develop and mentor staff, which includes a Director of Programs and Strategic Planning, Director of Communications, Director of Membership, Director of Government Affairs and Policy, Director of Conferences and Events, and Finance Director.
• Oversee the finances of the organization, including developing and managing the budget, preparation of the audit and tax filings, and compliance with cash management and investment policies.
• Oversee recruitment and retention of all members.
• Oversee planning of events, including the Annual Symposium, specialty conferences, workshops and meetings of the Board of Directors.
• Oversee internal and external communications, including media relations, newsletters, legislative alerts and social media.
• Serve as primary spokesperson.
• Represent the organization at events and meetings.

Key Selection Criteria

The successful candidate will have a minimum of 10+ years of senior level experience in leading an effective advocacy program or organization. The ideal candidate will be a dynamic advocate of water reuse and desalination who is well versed in national water industry trends and has strong communication and interpersonal skills. In addition, the final candidate with be recognized as a relationship network builder who recruits and influences others in support of the organization’s goals and objectives.

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience is required. An advanced degree is a preferred.
• Working knowledge and understanding of the water / wastewater industry, ideally gained through working directly with or supporting the industry.
• Proven ability working with the people at all levels of government, municipal and public agencies, utilities, industry, academia, associations, research foundations, and philanthropies.
• Track record of driving successful federal advocacy efforts for water related initiatives, regulations, and/or project funding. This includes having existing relationships with Members of Congress and their staff with the demonstrated ability to deliver effective advocacy.
• Proven ability identifying, selecting, and working with contract lobbyists.
• Demonstrated experience as a persuasive and passionate spokesperson with strong public speaking skills.
• Demonstrated ability to formulate and implement strategic goals and plans with the ability to translate strategy into executable objectives.
• Demonstrated technical competence around water reuse and an understanding of research and an appreciation of its value and applicability to end-users.
• Confirmed experience growing membership and revenues.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, coach, and grow high-performance teams consisting of programmatic, operations, development, and administrative professionals.
• Track record of success working with a Board of Directors and external partners.
• Demonstrated business/financial acumen and good business judgment.

Critical Competencies / Critical Success Factors

Change – Leading and Managing: Initiates and implements support for innovation and for changes needed to improve efficiency/effectiveness; helps others move from a current to desired state.

Empowering: Conveys confidence and delegates significant responsibility and authority, allowing others freedom to decide how they will accomplish goals and resolve issues.

Functional Know-How: In-depth knowledge of water reuse and advocacy organizations with a strong mission.

Influence: Uses persuasion to gain the support and cooperation from stakeholders/ constituencies to achieve a desired course of action consistent with the organization’s strategic goals and objectives.

Inspiring: Energizes individuals to strive towards a compelling vision of the future by embracing and embodying shared values and goals.

Results Oriented: Consistently sets and achieves challenging and attainable goals to deliver required outcomes, entrepreneurial with a no excuses mindset.

Personal / Professional Attributes

• Excellent problem solving and analytical skills with the ability to frame issues in a clear and easy to understand ways.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• An action-oriented, “roll up the sleeves” approach coupled with an entrepreneurial, adaptable, and creative spirit, and impeccable ethics and professionalism.
• An inspired leader and experienced team builder who has a collaborative approach to decision making and problem resolution.

Contact Information:

Tom Berray
Managing Partner
Washington, DC
M: +1 703-283-3121
E: tberray@dhrglobal.com

Connor McKeown
Partner
Denver, CO
T: +1 303-629-0730
E: cmckeown@jobplex.com 

Mariana Ochoa
Senior Associate
Charlotte, NC
T: +1 312-631-2292
E: mochoa@jobplex.com 

About WateReuse Association

The WateReuse Association is the nation’s only trade association solely dedicated to advancing laws, policy, funding, and public acceptance of recycled water. WateReuse represents a coalition of over 500 utilities, businesses, and institutions engaged in water recycling. The WateReuse Association provides competitive salary and benefits.

Connections working at WateReuse Association