Executive Director, River Network in London

River Network envisions a powerful and inclusive movement that ensures abundant clean water for all people and nature to thrive. Our mission is to grow and strengthen a transformational national network of water, justice, and river advocates. We are committed to equity, diversity and inclusion as the foundation of our mission. Through our programs, we connect with communities to increase their impact in securing clean and safe water, and a healthy environment for all.

River Network’s headquarters are in Boulder, Colorado and we have staff located in communities across the U.S. While we are a dispersed staff team, we are highly collaborative, and value distributed leadership approaches that aim to share decision-making authority and responsibility to the staff closest to the work. All staff are encouraged to engage in cross-cutting internal staff committees and initiatives that provide opportunities to work with colleagues outside of their primary focus area. Our staff is deeply invested in creating and tending to a healthy workplace culture and engaging all staff to influence and shape that culture.

Every other year we convene our network at River Rally, the premier gathering for water and river advocates across the United States bringing together hundreds of organizations and community leaders to share knowledge, build skills, and strengthen the movement for water justice. The United States is facing a crisis of water security, affordability, quality, and access. We believe all living beings share a common home and a fundamental right to clean water. In response, River Network strengthens organizations and leaders to improve and protect their waterways, create climate-resilient communities, and ensure equitable access to safe, affordable drinking water.

We accomplish this locally and nationally by responding to the capacity and training needs of organizations and communities, synthesizing and elevating proven practices from the field, and advancing Tribal, local, state, and federal government policies to achieve water security for people and nature. We build community through River Rally, peer groups, and collaborative learning opportunities. We train people impacted by pollution and flooding in the technical and leadership skills they need to create local solutions. We provide education to break down complex topics, and we fund local leaders so they can focus on the work, knowing that equitable and enduring solutions must be created with, by, and for the people most impacted.

The Executive Director will lead and partner with River Network’s deeply committed team during a period of organizational transition, fostering a culture of collaboration, distributed leadership, and innovation. This person will work closely with senior staff to set organizational strategy, chart a sustainable path forward, and drive critical fundraising efforts to ensure the organization’s financial stability. The Executive Director will represent our organization’s vision, values, and strategies to external partners and stakeholders, and will serve as the primary liaison to our Board of Directors.

Responsibilities:

• Leadership and Organizational Culture: The Executive Director will provide strong, collaborative leadership to a talented, mission-driven staff, working closely with senior leadership to refine and advance organizational strategies and priorities. Commitment to trust and transparency will be essential—our new leader will foster a shared vision across all levels of the organization where staff and board, together, understand what we’re working towards, how we’ll achieve our goals, and how data tracks progress.
• Fundraising, External Relations, and Partnership Development: The Executive Director will play a critical leadership role in fundraising and revenue development, working closely with all staff and Board to diversify and strengthen the organization’s funding base in an evolving landscape.
• Strategic Planning, Operations and Organizational Development: The Executive Director will set organizational strategy and oversee development of strong operational infrastructure—including finance, human resources, and administrative systems—that enables sustainable growth.
• Board Engagement and Relations: The Executive Director will work to ensure trust between staff and the Board of Directors, fostering transparent relationships that support organizational health and shared accountability.

Requirements:

• Significant experience leading an organization, team, or program—setting operational strategy, developing and articulating a compelling vision, and guiding teams collaboratively to achieve shared goals.
• Demonstrated fundraising expertise and ability to cultivate relationships across the philanthropic community.
• Financial acumen, including experience developing or overseeing the development of complex annual and multi-year budgets.
• Demonstrated change leadership and stabilization experience leading organizations through transitions.
• Proven ability to work effectively with boards of directors.
• Strong communicator with experience representing organizations to diverse external audiences.
• Proven ability to build, develop, and manage a high-performing team.
• High emotional intelligence and leadership skills.
• Personal and professional understanding of how diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice play a central role in both advancing equity within an organization.
• At least 15 years of relevant leadership and proven fundraising experience.
• Bachelor’s Degree required; degree in nonprofit management, environmental studies, social sciences or any related field a plus.
• Passion for River Network’s mission, its network members, and the waters on which all life depends.
• Commitment to River Network’s Core Values, including respect, integrity, growth, and inclusion.

Salary and Location: Candidates can be located anywhere in the U.S. but must have the ability to travel as needed. The annual base salary for this role is $200,000, with comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, and vision health insurance; 403b retirement savings plan; generous vacation and well-being leave; employee assistance program; life insurance; technology stipend; parental leave and paid holidays.

River Network is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

How to apply: Amy Segelin at Chaloner is leading the search. Please apply here.