Executive Advisor- Water Economics & Infrastructure Investment Strategy

Who are we looking for?

GHD Advisory is seeking an Executive Advisor – Water Economics & Infrastructure Investment Strategy to lead and grow our water sector financial advisory and investment facilitation capabilities from the NYC Metro Area. This is a senior, client-facing leadership role for someone who operates at the intersection of water utility management, infrastructure economics, and private capital mobilization.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a trusted intermediary between municipal water and wastewater clients and private sector investors, helping utilities unlock new funding pathways, structure innovative financing, and deliver infrastructure more effectively.
• Bring deep knowledge of U.S. municipal finance alongside a working understanding of international alternative delivery and investment models — including P3/PPP frameworks used in Australia, the UK, Canada, and Asia-Pacific — and help translate those approaches for the U.S. market.
• Lead business development, mentoring multidisciplinary teams, and bringing global best practices to deliver integrated, financially sustainable infrastructure solutions.
• Engage utility executives and senior decision-makers to provide trusted advisory insights, mentor early-career AM professionals, and contribute to development of GHD AM tools, methodologies, and sector strategies.
• Design the project architecture, build on the initial proposal, and develop a solution that meets the client's stated requirements and addresses any identified client issues.
• Collate and conduct analysis of the tactical and operational information gathered through interviews and research to support the diagnosis of underlying client issues and problems and the design of single solutions.
• Conduct interviews following an established framework of questions to gather information on client issues.
• Act as subject matter expert in an area of technology, policy, regulation, or operational management for the team.
• Lead a highly complex business advisory process, ensuring alignment with the organization's strategic initiatives and goals.

Requirements

You will bring deep expertise in water and wastewater utility operations and finance — including rate structures, capital planning, CIP development, and regulatory frameworks. Proven experience structuring or facilitating P3/PPP transactions, alternative delivery, or private capital placement for municipal infrastructure is required. Strong working knowledge of U.S. municipal finance instruments — municipal bonds, SRF, WIFIA, environmental impact bonds, credit facilities — is essential. Familiarity with international alternative delivery and financing models (e.g., Australian alliance contracting, UK DPC, Asian infrastructure investment models) is also valued. Demonstrated ability to engage and advise C-suite utility executives and municipal finance leaders (GMs, CFOs, finance directors, elected officials) is necessary. Experience working with or alongside private investors, infrastructure funds, investment banks, or development finance institutions is preferred. Strong understanding of asset management principles — lifecycle planning, risk-based investment prioritization, capital optimization — and their connection to financial strategy is required. Exceptional communication skills — able to translate complex financial and technical concepts into clear, executive-ready recommendations — are essential. A relationship builder with a strong network in the water/wastewater utility and infrastructure finance community is also important.

Qualifications

• 20+ years of experience in infrastructure finance, water/wastewater utility economics, investment advisory, or related fields.
• A Professional Engineer (PE) or equivalent professional credential (CFA, PFM, or comparable financial certification) is valued.
• A Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering, Economics, Finance, Public Policy, or related field.
• A strong network in the water/wastewater utility and infrastructure finance community.

Skills

• Deep expertise in water and wastewater utility operations and finance.
• Proven experience structuring or facilitating P3/PPP transactions, alternative delivery, or private capital placement for municipal infrastructure.
• Familiarity with international alternative delivery and financing models.
• Demonstrated ability to engage and advise C-suite utility executives and municipal finance leaders.
• Strong understanding of asset management principles.
• Exceptional communication skills.
• A relationship builder with a strong network in the water/wastewater utility and infrastructure finance community.

Benefits

• 401K - Eligible to participate on the first day of the month following 3 months of service.
• Paid time off – PTO starts at 16 days per year and increases with years of service.
• Holiday Pay - Holiday pay is provided for eligible employees.
• Wellness Benefit - Eligible to participate in the wellness reimbursement program.

Pay

$225,000-$300,000 based on experience and location.

Schedule

Our Hybrid Work Model: Be part of the dynamic culture! Our workplace thrives on a hybrid model, combining in-office collaboration and flexibility. Join us in the office three days a week to contribute, connect and excel in our vibrant environment.