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.
About the role
You will 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. You will 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.
Responsibilities
- Lead and grow our water sector financial advisory and investment facilitation capabilities from the NYC Metro Area.
- 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.
- Act as a strategic financial and investment advisor to water and wastewater utilities, helping clients optimize capital investment, funding strategies, and infrastructure delivery.
- Combine expertise in infrastructure finance, public-private partnerships (P3s), and alternative delivery models to develop innovative funding solutions, facilitate private sector investment, and guide complex procurement strategies.
- Engage utility executives and senior decision-makers to provide trusted advisory insights.
- Mentor early-career AM professionals in financial modeling, risk frameworks, and program strategy.
- Contribute to development of GHD AM tools, methodologies, and sector strategies.
- Design the project architecture, building on the initial proposal and the client interviews to 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
20+ years of experience in infrastructure finance, water/wastewater utility economics, investment advisory, or related fields.
Professional Engineer (PE) or equivalent professional credential (CFA, PFM, or comparable financial certification also valued).
Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering, Economics, Finance, Public Policy, or related field.
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.
Strong working knowledge of U.S. municipal finance instruments — municipal bonds, SRF, WIFIA, environmental impact bonds, credit facilities.
Familiarity with international alternative delivery and financing models (e.g., Australian alliance contracting, UK DPC, Asian infrastructure investment models).
Demonstrated ability to engage and advise C-suite utility executives and municipal finance leaders (GMs, CFOs, finance directors, elected officials).
Experience working with or alongside private investors, infrastructure funds, investment banks, or development finance institutions.
Strong understanding of asset management principles — lifecycle planning, risk-based investment prioritization, capital optimization — and their connection to financial strategy.
Exceptional communication skills — able to translate complex financial and technical concepts into clear, executive-ready recommendations.
Relationship builder with a strong network in the water/wastewater utility and infrastructure finance community.
Qualifications
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.
Strong working knowledge of U.S. municipal finance instruments — municipal bonds, SRF, WIFIA, environmental impact bonds, credit facilities.
Familiarity with international alternative delivery and financing models (e.g., Australian alliance contracting, UK DPC, Asian infrastructure investment models).
Demonstrated ability to engage and advise C-suite utility executives and municipal finance leaders (GMs, CFOs, finance directors, elected officials).
Experience working with or alongside private investors, infrastructure funds, investment banks, or development finance institutions.
Strong understanding of asset management principles — lifecycle planning, risk-based investment prioritization, capital optimization — and their connection to financial strategy.
Exceptional communication skills — able to translate complex financial and technical concepts into clear, executive-ready recommendations.
Relationship builder with a strong network in the water/wastewater utility and infrastructure finance community.
Skills
Infrastructure finance, water/wastewater utility economics, investment advisory, or related fields.
Professional Engineer (PE) or equivalent professional credential (CFA, PFM, or comparable financial certification).
Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering, Economics, Finance, Public Policy, or related field.
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.
Strong working knowledge of U.S. municipal finance instruments — municipal bonds, SRF, WIFIA, environmental impact bonds, credit facilities.
Familiarity with international alternative delivery and financing models (e.g., Australian alliance contracting, UK DPC, Asian infrastructure investment models).
Demonstrated ability to engage and advise C-suite utility executives and municipal finance leaders (GMs, CFOs, finance directors, elected officials).
Experience working with or alongside private investors, infrastructure funds, investment banks, or development finance institutions.
Strong understanding of asset management principles — lifecycle planning, risk-based investment prioritization, capital optimization — and their connection to financial strategy.
Exceptional communication skills — able to translate complex financial and technical concepts into clear, executive-ready recommendations.
Relationship builder with a strong network in the water/wastewater utility and infrastructure finance community.
Benefits
401K - Employees are eligible to participate on the first day of the month following 3 months of service.
Paid time off – Our PTO benefit is designed to provide eligible employees with a period of rest and relaxation, sick, and personal time throughout the year. PTO starts at 16 days per year and increases with years of service.
Holiday Pay - Holiday pay is provided for eligible employees. GHD observes 9 holidays per year. Holiday pay will be based on the regular set schedule for the employee.
Wellness Benefit- Regular full-term employees are eligible to participate in the wellness reimbursement program. GHD will reimburse 50% of the cost of the following to maximum of $250.00 reimbursement annually for such items as: Health club membership fees, home exercise equipment purchases, Bicycles, Race, run & marathon entrance fees, Smoking cessation programs, Weight loss programs (i.e.—Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig), Fitbits and Fitness Tracking devices.
Salary Range: $225,000-$300,000 based on experience and location.
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.