Senior Manager, Colorado River Basin

Job Description

World Resources Institute is seeking a Senior Manager to lead water and energy utility engagement, aligning risk reduction and infrastructure protection with forest and nature-based solutions (NBS) project benefits. This role involves connecting project-delivered volumetric and water quality benefits with corporate watershed and replenishment targets. Working with land managers and conservation partners, the Senior Manager will advance enabling conditions for project implementation and oversee business case development to promote beneficiary contributions. The role includes structuring and negotiating funding agreements, repayment mechanisms, and performance-based contracts, as well as developing strategies to scale pilot projects. The Senior Manager will manage the portfolio with Blue Forest and other partners, develop and deliver workplans, ensure high-quality deliverables, track progress, and co-lead internal and external reporting. Additionally, the role supports proposal development and fundraising strategy implementation and produces external-facing materials. The Senior Manager will also represent WRI in meetings, workshops, and external convenings.

Qualifications

1. Master's degree in forestry, hydrology, environmental science or management, business, economics, management, or related field. 2. 10+ years of relevant experience in NBS, forestry, climate resilience, water, or sustainable finance. 3. Background in utility and beneficiary engagement related to conservation, water, and/or disaster risk reduction. 4. Experience or familiarity with the CO River Basin and ideally key stakeholders. 5. Experience managing projects and portfolios. 6. Willingness to travel approximately 25% of the time including trips across the Upper Colorado River Basin and Washington, D.C. 7. Demonstrated fundraising success. 8. Experience helping develop project implementation budgeting. 9. Strong communication skills both orally and in writing. 10. Calm in fast-moving environments. 11. Creative, collaborative, and solutions-oriented. 12. Comfortable working in a remote-setting in close collaboration with the broader team and partners.

Benefits

- Access to the WRI global network with the opportunity to exchange with and learn from passionate colleagues. - The chance to have an impact and develop your career within a mission-driven organization. - A workplace that strives to put diversity and inclusion at the heart of our work. - The opportunity to join and get involved in different working groups and affinity groups. - Commitment to a hybrid working model with flexible working hours. - Generous leave days that increase with tenure. - If based in the US: Medical Coverage, Dental Coverage, Vision Coverage, retirement plan access and employer contribution.