Deputy Head, CEO Water Mandate

Location: Remote. Although this is a fully remote position, you must be available for a minimum of 4 hours during each business day in the Eastern Time (ET) zone.

Job Type: Full-time Exempt (35 hours per week)

About Us

The Pacific Institute is a global water think tank that combines science-based thought leadership with active outreach to influence local, national, and international efforts in sustainable water management. Our vision is to create a world in which society, the economy, and the environment have the water they need to thrive now and in the future. Since 1987, we have worked with groups ranging from Fortune 500 companies to frontline communities with a mission of creating and advancing solutions to the world’s most pressing water challenges.

Among other activities, the Pacific Institute:

• Analyzes the risks of climate change for freshwater supplies and develops “multi-benefit” strategies to address those risks;
• Serves as the organizing force behind the CEO Water Mandate, a fifteen-year partnership with the UN Global Compact, which brings global corporations and international organizations together to adopt water sustainability practices;
• Pioneers and promotes the “soft path” to water concept, which calls for a new and comprehensive approach to managing water infrastructure, demands, and institutions, and:
• Delivers best practice guidance to governments to help them cope with severe drought and flood conditions.

The Pacific Institute, in partnership with the UN Global Compact, co-manages the CEO Water Mandate. The UN Global Compact is the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative, with more than 23,000 participating companies in more than 160 countries and 62 Local Networks around the world. In 2020, the CEO Water Mandate launched its major collective action initiative, the Water Resilience Coalition (WRC). The WRC was established with the explicit goal of significantly accelerating progress against the global water crisis, particularly in the face of the increasing impacts of climate change. It is powered by leading corporations, with the direct and personal involvement of their senior leadership.

Position Description

The CEO Water Mandate Deputy Head plays a pivotal role in driving the vision and strategic direction of the CEO Water Mandate (Mandate), a global initiative focused on corporate water stewardship. This position is responsible for leading the development and implementation of strategic initiatives, fostering key partnerships, and ensuring effective governance to advance the initiative’s mission and long-term goals. Key priorities include collaborating with internal and external stakeholders, managing financial resources, and driving fundraising efforts to support the Mandate’s sustainability and growth. By 2024, upon the completion of an organizational restructuring, this position will also be assigned a Director-level Pacific Institute title.

This role demands adept leadership and strategic acumen to navigate the complexities of global water stewardship initiatives. The Mandate Deputy Head must excel in building and maintaining strategic partnerships, aligning diverse stakeholders towards common objectives, and overseeing the governance structures of the Mandate and its subsidiary initiatives.

Responsibilities

Strategy Development and Implementation

• Lead the development and execution of strategy for the CEO Water Mandate (including subsidiary initiatives), collaborating with internal stakeholders, the Mandate Steering Committee, the Water Resilience Coalition (WRC) Leadership Committee, and other pertinent entities.
• Advance and sustain strategic partnerships with key stakeholders in the Mandate Leadership Team and corporate water stewardship community to drive forward the Mandate’s vision and strategic initiatives. Collaborate closely with the Mandate Leadership Team to provide thought leadership and ensure cohesive execution of strategies.
• Collaborate with other members of the Mandate Leadership Team to develop and enhance relationships with key institutional stakeholders and corporate water stewardship practitioners aligned with the Mandate’s objectives, ensuring strategic alignment and effective advancement of the organization’s strategies.
• Maintain and advance institutional alignment and make key strategic decisions related to the Pacific Institute and the UN Global Compact.

Governance and Leadership

• Oversee the governance structures and processes of the CEO Water Mandate and its subsidiary initiatives.
• Facilitate strategic counsel and serve as a trusted advisor to members of the Mandate Leadership Team, fostering alignment and coherence in critical areas such as member engagement, technical stewardship development, communications, and event planning.
• Enhance Mandate Leadership Team frameworks and cultivate seamless cross-team coordination to uphold alignment across all facets of the Mandate’s endeavors, leveraging strategic insight, adept leadership, and operational acumen to propel organizational objectives.
• Optimize existing channels for efficient communication, alignment, and strategic planning within the Mandate Leadership Team to ensure the Mandate’s objectives are effectively pursued.
• Serve as the primary supervisor and point of contact for the Partnership Program Specialist (UN Global Compact liaison) while also overseeing members of the Mandate’s Leadership Team.

Financial Management and Fundraising

• Manage the financials and reporting for the CEO Water Mandate budget, collaborating with the Mandate Leadership Team and Pacific Institute operations to track revenue, expenditure, and budget projections in alignment with strategic objectives.
• Assume a central role in fundraising efforts, utilizing strategic relationships and networks to secure crucial resources necessary for advancing the initiative’s mission and ensuring its sustainability.
• Collaborate closely with the Pacific Institute Development team to identify and cultivate relationships with key stakeholders, including corporate foundations and strategic partners.
• Developing strategies to achieve fundraising targets, including securing project funding and multi-year general support from foundations.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 8 years of experience in strategic planning, partnership development, and project management, preferably in the context of sustainability, water management, or corporate social responsibility.
• Strong understanding of global water issues, corporate water stewardship, and/or the United Nations Global Compact framework.
• Proven track record of successful stakeholder engagement and relationship management, including experience working with corporate leaders, NGOs, government agencies, and international organizations.
• Exceptional communication skills, including the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing.
• Demonstrated leadership abilities, with experience leading cross-functional teams and driving collaborative decision-making processes.
• Proficiency in financial management, budgeting, and reporting, with the ability to track and analyze financial data to inform strategic decision-making.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines effectively.
• Experience with fundraising and donor relations, including grant writing, donor stewardship, and proposal development.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working within the United Nations system or other international organizations.
• Experience with event planning and coordination, including organizing conferences, workshops, and other large-scale events.
• Knowledge of sustainable development goals (SDGs) and their relevance to water management and corporate sustainability.
• Familiarity with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) frameworks and reporting standards.
• Experience with data analysis and visualization tools, such as Excel, Tableau, or Power BI.
• Experience working in or with the private sector, particularly in roles related to sustainability, corporate social responsibility, or supply chain management.
• Familiarity with CRM software and database management systems for donor tracking and relationship management.
• Passion for environmental sustainability and social responsibility, with a commitment to advancing the mission of the CEO Water Mandate and the United Nations Global Compact.
• Fluency in multiple languages, particularly those relevant to the geographic regions served by the CEO Water Mandate.

Compensation and Benefits

This position is eligible for paid vacation and benefits. The Pacific Institute offers an excellent compensation package, including a generous health, dental, and Institute-matched retirement plan and a competitive salary that is commensurate with experience and reflects the field.

Hiring Range: $142,000 – $157,000 (if selected for an interview, a salary range within our hiring range will be shared that is specific to the candidates’ geographic location). No immigration or relocation assistance is available for this position.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

We commit to improving DEI in our internal operations and culture for two reasons:

To stay true to our values and principles, We recognize that historical and current injustices have left out certain voices and perspectives from decision-making about accessing and managing water resources. We acknowledge that the representation of these groups in water-related decision-making and careers is an important step towards addressing past and current injustices. Because Pacific Institute participates in water-related decision-making, we acknowledge that hiring and retaining a diverse staff can contribute to a broader need to address systemic injustices.

To better achieve the Pacific Institute’s mission and vision: We know that having diverse perspectives makes for better research, creative solutions, and can help us achieve our mission. We recognize that a diverse team with varied perspectives, skills, and experiences is essential for generating and scaling innovative ideas that solve increasingly complex challenges. We make an active effort to create an inclusive environment where everyone feels respected, heard, validated, empowered, and celebrated across different identities and cultures. We aim to constantly evolve our approach to DEI to reflect best practices in this work, just as we do with our water and climate research.

As part of this commitment, we request that all candidates include a short statement in your cover letter to address how your addition to our staff would contribute to our DEI efforts.