Senior Program Manager, Water Efficiency and Reuse at Pacific Institute: Remote U.S. Leadership Opportunity Paying Up to $105,000

The Pacific Institute is seeking an experienced Senior Program Manager, Water Efficiency and Reuse to join its globally recognized team of water sustainability experts. This fully remote U.S.-based position offers a competitive salary ranging from $93,000 to $105,000 annually, providing an exciting opportunity for professionals passionate about advancing water resilience, climate solutions, and sustainable resource management.

With more than three decades of leadership in water research and policy, the Pacific Institute continues to influence governments, utilities, businesses, and nonprofit organizations worldwide. This role is ideal for senior professionals with extensive expertise in water efficiency, water reuse, policy development, and program leadership.

About Pacific Institute

Founded in 1987, the Pacific Institute is a leading global water think tank dedicated to creating a world where people, ecosystems, and economies have the water they need to thrive. Through science-based research, policy analysis, and partnerships, the organization develops innovative solutions to some of the world’s most pressing water challenges.

Its work spans collaboration with corporations, government agencies, utilities, nonprofit organizations, and frontline communities to improve water security and climate resilience.

About the Senior Program Manager Role

The successful candidate will lead high-impact, multi-year projects while overseeing an entire portfolio focused on water efficiency and reuse. The position combines strategic leadership, technical expertise, research management, fundraising, and stakeholder engagement.

Working closely with multidisciplinary teams, the Senior Program Manager will guide research, secure funding opportunities, manage project budgets, mentor staff, and ensure the successful delivery of complex initiatives.

This is a full-time exempt position requiring 35 hours per week, with occasional business travel, including overnight trips.

Key Responsibilities

The Senior Program Manager will oversee multiple aspects of project and program delivery, including:

• Leading complex water efficiency and reuse initiatives from planning through implementation
• Managing portfolios of interconnected projects and ensuring alignment across teams
• Developing project budgets, timelines, milestones, and deliverables
• Monitoring project quality, financial performance, and outcomes
• Conducting and supervising research using quantitative and qualitative methodologies
• Producing reports, policy briefs, technical publications, and presentations
• Identifying emerging trends and innovative approaches in water management
• Building strategic partnerships with utilities, government agencies, nonprofits, and industry leaders
• Representing Pacific Institute at conferences and public forums
• Developing competitive grant proposals and securing funding
• Managing relationships with philanthropic, corporate, and government funders
• Supervising, mentoring, and developing project leaders and research staff

Qualifications Required

Applicants should possess extensive experience in water resources management together with demonstrated leadership abilities.

Minimum qualifications include:

• At least 12 years of professional experience in water efficiency, reuse, or related disciplines

OR

• An advanced degree in environmental sciences, engineering, hydrology, sustainability, environmental economics, or a related field with 10 years of equivalent experience

Candidates should also demonstrate:

• Expertise in water efficiency and reuse
• Specialized knowledge of water-energy relationships or applied water economics
• Experience working with water and wastewater utilities
• Strong project and portfolio management skills
• Success leading multidisciplinary teams
• Proven grant writing and fundraising experience
• Strong analytical and research capabilities
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Experience using tools such as Excel, Python, R, Power BI, or Tableau

Preferred Qualifications

Pacific Institute encourages applications from professionals who also have:

• Existing relationships with government, corporate, or philanthropic funders
• Experience working alongside utilities or nonprofit organizations
• Knowledge of U.S. water policy at local, state, and federal levels
• Experience at the water-energy nexus
• Experience collaborating with historically underserved or frontline communities

Salary and Benefits

The organization offers an attractive compensation package designed to support employee wellbeing and professional growth.

Salary

• $93,000–$105,000 annually

Final salary will depend on geographic location and experience.

Benefits Include

• Competitive health insurance
• Dental coverage
• Institute-matched retirement plan
• Paid vacation
• Comprehensive employee benefits package
• Professional development opportunities
• Flexible remote work environment

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit:

• A cover letter (maximum two pages) explaining:
  • Interest in Pacific Institute
  • Relevant qualifications
  • A Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) statement
• Updated CV or résumé
• Writing sample (maximum five pages) where the applicant is the first or sole author

The writing sample may include:

• Peer-reviewed research articles
• White papers
• Technical reports
• Policy briefs
• Opinion articles

Applicants are encouraged to remove the names of educational institutions from their résumé to support equitable hiring practices.

Recruitment Process

The hiring process includes several stages:

• Application review
• HR phone interview
• First panel interview
• Second panel interview
• Reference checks
• Employment offer

Applications will remain open until the position is filled.

Why This Opportunity Stands Out

This position offers experienced water professionals the opportunity to shape global conversations around sustainable water management while leading innovative projects with international impact. The role combines technical research, strategic leadership, policy influence, and partnership development in one of the world’s leading water research organizations.

Professionals who are passionate about advancing climate resilience, improving water efficiency, securing research funding, and mentoring future leaders will find this an exceptional opportunity to contribute to meaningful global change while enjoying the flexibility of a fully remote work environment.

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