Executive Director

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Executive Director

The insights provided are generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Please independently verify any critical information before relying on it.

Description

Executive Director Illinois Section, American Water Works Association (ISAWWA)

Naperville, Illinois

Full-Time, Exempt

Reports to: Board of Trustees

About ISAWWA

The Illinois Section of the American Water Works Association (ISAWWA) is a 501(c)(3) membership association committed to "safe and sustainable water for Illinois." Based in Naperville, ISAWWA serves water and wastewater professionals, utilities, engineers, scientists, and public officials across the state. As one of AWWA's premier state sections, ISAWWA advances its mission through education, advocacy, workforce development, and community outreach. Its 2025–2028 strategic plan is organized around four pillars: increasing member engagement, optimizing educational programming, developing the next generation of water professionals, and raising public awareness of the total water cycle.

The Opportunity

ISAWWA is seeking its next Executive Director: a connector and a servant leader who is member-focused, collaborative, transparent, and deeply invested in relationship-building across the state. ISAWWA is a volunteer-driven association, and the ED's most important work is empowering volunteers and staff to do theirs.

The Executive Director is the chief management leader of ISAWWA and the primary point of accountability to the Board of Trustees for all operational, financial, programmatic, and strategic outcomes. The ED translates the Board's vision into action, leads a professional staff team of five, cultivates relationships across Illinois' water sector, and serves as ISAWWA's most visible external ambassador.

Top Priorities

- Execute ISAWWA's 2025–2028 strategic plan in partnership with the Board, staff, and volunteer leaders

- Grow and retain membership across Illinois' geographically diverse districts

- Deepen volunteer engagement through clear communication, well-defined expectations, consistent recognition, and genuine ownership

- Represent the face and voice of ISAWWA, building productive relationships with IEPA, IDNR, legislative bodies, allied associations, and the broader Illinois water community

- Lead and support a high-performing office team while maintaining a positive, collaborative, mission-centered culture

- Support staff and volunteer leaders in advancing workforce development and next-generation pipeline efforts, including the Water Ambassador Program and emerging apprenticeship and mentoring programs

- Ensure financial health and integrity through responsible budget management, revenue diversification, and transparent reporting

- Deliver WaterCon and all signature events at a consistently high standard

Compensation & Benefits

Salary range: $135,000–$165,000

5% SEP IRA contribution

Employer-sponsored medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus a monthly stipend toward family health coverage

Expense reimbursement for travel and business expenses

Paid time off and holidays in accordance with the ISAWWA Employee Handbook

To Apply

Submit a resume and cover letter describing your relevant leadership experience and interest in this role. Please include "ISAWWA Executive Director" in the subject line.

Requirements Required Qualifications

- Minimum five years of senior leadership in a nonprofit association, professional society, or comparable organization

- Proven track record managing complex, multi-stakeholder organizations with professional staff and volunteer leadership structures

- Experience planning and executing large-scale conferences and educational programming

- Demonstrated financial acumen, including budget management, financial reporting, and revenue development

- Experience working with or reporting to a volunteer board of directors

- Undergraduate degree

- Demonstrated ability to learn and lead credibly in a technical industry

- An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may substitute for specific requirement

Preferred Qualifications

- AWWA section or water-sector experience

- Working knowledge of the water, wastewater, or environmental sector

- Advanced degree or CAE (Certified Association Executive) credential

Key Attributes

The ideal candidate is a genuine relationship-builder, collaborative and member-focused by nature, a transparent and direct communicator, strategically oriented with strong execution instincts, and adaptable and change-ready. Deep understanding of volunteer dynamics is essential: how to motivate, guide, recognize, and retain volunteer leaders without formal authority, and how not to over-ask or micromanage.