Executive Director, Water To Thrive

Position Title: Executive Director

Reports to: Board of Directors

Position: Full-Time, On-site, Exempt

Location:
Austin, Texas; with domestic and international travel requirements (up to 25% of the time)

Salary: $135,000 - $145,000 plus comprehensive benefits package

About Water to Thrive

Water to Thrive (W2T) is a non-profit organization dedicated to solving the global water crisis by providing clean, safe water to rural communities in East Africa. Since its founding in 2008, the organization has constructed hundreds of sustainable water wells across Ethiopia, Uganda, and Tanzania, bringing life-changing access to clean water to underserved regions. Water to Thrive partners with local African organizations to ensure each project is community-driven, sustainable, and tailored to meet the specific needs of the region. Their mission is deeply rooted in improving health, education, and economic development by reducing the prevalence of waterborne diseases, improving school attendance—especially for girls—and increasing economic productivity in these communities.

The Opportunity

As Executive Director of Water to Thrive, you will lead the organization’s mission to provide clean, sustainable water to communities in East Africa. In this role, you'll shape the strategic vision, oversee day-to-day operations, and manage international programs, while driving critical fundraising efforts to raise $2M+ annually, with a focus on expanding diverse revenue streams including major donors, grants, and faith-based organizations.

This is a pivotal moment for Water to Thrive, offering you the chance to guide its growth, expand its impact, and strengthen partnerships. You’ll balance high-level strategy with hands-on execution, particularly in fundraising—cultivating major gifts, securing grants, and deepening connections with faith-based communities, while also exploring new opportunities for support.

With travel to African project sites and domestic events, you’ll play an active role in ensuring project success and building relationships with implementing partners and donors. This is a unique opportunity for a passionate leader with strong cultural awareness to drive the organization’s long-term growth and impact and make a lasting difference by expanding access to clean water.

Impact Areas

Strategic Leadership and Organizational Management (25%)

• Work in partnership with the Board to develop and implement long-term strategic goals leveraging the organization’s $1.1M endowment for growth and increased impact.
• Oversee all internal operations, including budgeting, financial systems, and legal compliance, to ensure operational sustainability.
• Provide effective leadership and supervision to staff, ensuring clear goals, accountability, and support for professional development.
• Establish and implement KPIs to measure and track progress against strategic goals, ensuring accountability and alignment with the organization’s long-term vision.
• Foster an inclusive and mission-driven organizational culture among staff, partners, and donors.
• Ensure financial systems and IT infrastructure are robust enough to support fundraising, marketing, accounting, and programmatic efforts.
• Maintain W2T's compliance with all government laws and regulations.

Fundraising and Resource Development (25%)

• Set and manage fundraising priorities to align with Water to Thrive’s operational and programmatic goals, ensuring steady resources to meet organizational needs.
• Lead and execute fundraising campaigns focusing on major donor cultivation, government and private grants, expanding engagement with faith-based communities, and exploring innovative fundraising channels.
• Develop and implement strategies to cultivate and secure corporate donors, building long-term partnerships to support fundraising goals.
• Equip staff with the tools, training, and support needed to effectively execute fundraising efforts, including preparation and execution for the major annual fundraising event.
• Oversee the development of an estate planning program to sustain the organization’s long-term growth.

Program Oversight and Partner Relations (20%)

• Oversee relationships with in-country implementing partners, ensuring programmatic goals are met and performance consistently evaluated.
• Deepen and expand program partnerships with new and existing implementing organizations to enhance the reach and impact of W2T's initiatives.
• Track, report, and communicate programmatic impact effectively to the Board and donors.
• Represent the organization through domestic and international travel to develop partnerships, assess programs, and cultivate donor relationships.

Governance and Board Relations (15%)

• Serve as the primary bridge between the Board of Directors and staff, facilitating clear communication and strategic alignment.
• Prepare Board materials, agendas, and records to facilitate transparency and accountability.
• Assist with Board member recruitment and development, and ensure alignment between Board decisions and organizational execution.

External Relations and Communications (15%)

• Act as the primary spokesperson for Water to Thrive, maintaining relationships with media, donors, and partners.
• Lead internal and external communication strategies to promote Water to Thrive’s mission, brand, and programmatic impact.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with faith-based communities, volunteer service organizations, businesses, churches, and other institutions to promote W2T’s mission

Requirements

• 5+ years of leadership experience in senior management, preferably in an international nonprofit
• Proven success in growing and managing a nonprofit, including strategic planning and financial management
• Staff leadership experience, with a focus on mentoring, team development, and aligning staff efforts with organizational goals
• Strong track record in fundraising, securing major gifts, and grants, and cultivating donors
• Experience managing international programs or partnerships
• Preferred experience in fundraising within faith-based communities, with the ability to engage and cultivate relationships across a variety of faith-based organizations
• Ability to develop and promote endowment and planned giving programs
• Proven ability to measure and report program impact to stakeholders
• Experience working closely with a Board of Directors to set priorities and align activities
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with experience as an organizational spokesperson
• Strong financial management skills, including budgeting and compliance with regulations
• Proficiency in leveraging IT and digital tools for fundraising, communications, and programs

Benefits

Water to Thrive offers a competitive salary and excellent benefits, along with opportunities to learn all aspects of a nonprofit organization.

Water to Thrive has retained the services of Charity Search Group to coordinate the search for this position. To apply, please complete this online application. If you have questions or need accommodations, please contact Pascale Hughes at pascale@charitysearchgroup.com or visit www.charitysearchgroup.com

Water to Thrive is an equal-opportunity employer committed to having a workforce that reflects diversity at all levels of the organization. We recognize the importance of not viewing individuals based on a single identity, and we thrive on being equitable in our recruitment process as well as in our efforts to be inclusive of all employees.