Executive Advisor- Water Economics & Infrastructure Investment Strategy

About the role

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.

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

This role will be central to GHD's strategy to build a nationally recognized Water Economics and Investment Advisory practice within our Asset Management group, backed by our global platform and track record across 61+ P3 projects worldwide. This individual will act as a strategic financial and investment advisor to water and wastewater utilities, helping clients optimize capital investment, funding strategies, and infrastructure delivery.

The position combines 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. As a trusted advisor to utility executives, the role also leads business development, mentors multidisciplinary teams, and brings global best practices to deliver integrated, financially sustainable infrastructure solutions.

• Business Development & Market Growth: Assist expansion and mining of existing on-call contracts with municipal/regional water clients, shape and win water AM task orders, conduct market positioning, client outreach, opportunity qualification, and pursuit leadership.
• Project Delivery & Technical Responsibilities: Serve as Project Manager or Technical Lead on water AM and economic advisory projects, including asset management plans, risk-based capital planning, lifecycle costing, and investment strategies.
• Client Engagement & Leadership: 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.

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

Skills

• 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

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.
• Holiday Pay - Holiday pay is provided for eligible employees. GHD observes 9 holidays per year.
• Wellness Benefit- Regular full-term employees are eligible to participate in the wellness reimbursement program.

Pay

Salary Range: $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.