Job Details

Chief Executive Officer

Position Number: 7132863
Location: San Jose, CA
Position Type: Executive - Other Executive

Chief Executive Officer

Valley Water

Salary: See Position Description

Job Type: Full-Time

Job Number: 01984-U

Location: CA, CA

Department: Office of the Chief Executive Officer

Closing: 6/14/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Description

Chief Executive OfficerValley Water Annual Salary: $429,042 - $544,752 DOE/DOQ PLUS an Excellent Benefits Package!

The CEO is responsible for execution of the policy directives from the board of directors, Valley Water's day-to-day operations, and management of the leadership team. The leadership team is comprised of the CEO, the assistant CEO, three chief operating officers (COOs) (water utility enterprise, watersheds, and IT and administrative services), and the chief of external affairs.

QUALIFICATIONS

A bachelor's degree (public or business administration, finance, engineering, or related) and at least seven years of experience demonstrating progressively increased responsibility, including three years in a high-level capacity, are required. Water utility and industry knowledge, technical expertise, and local government leadership and management are desirable.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

The description that follows represents the collective work product of the board of directors, both individually and collectively, all board-appointed officers, and the leadership of Valley Water's three unions, as well as comments from the public input sessions for employees and citizens, and the organization wide survey of all employees.

Valley Water's next CEO is an experienced leader and an effective manager with a progressive leadership style and the following skill sets as identified by employees: integrity and trustworthiness; clear vision and strategic thinking; and empathy and emotional intelligence.

In addition, Valley Water seeks the following in its next CEO: innovation and creativity; strong negotiating skills, including collective bargaining and labor relations experience; legislative and lobbying experience and skills; team-building experience and skills; and a strong understanding of public administration and governance with respect to special districts, and all applicable laws and regulations.

Valley Water seeks a CEO with total commitment to transparency, integrity, professionalism, ethics, and the appropriate use of power. The employment contract incorporates the ICMA's (International City/County Management Association's) Code of Ethics with Guidelines, which the new CEO will follow. The CEO is expected to be passionate about Valley Water, local government, water, and every aspect of the organization's mission, vision, values, and day-to-day operations. The preferred candidate is a change agent, looking at Valley Water's culture with fresh eyes.

The ideal candidate has expert level inward- and outward-facing communication skills, and the ability to relate to persons from every walk of life. The successful candidate has good judgment, humility, and patience.

The next CEO will build and maintain positive, productive relationships with local, state, and federal agencies, and will ensure Valley Water leverages all advantages associated with Silicon Valley to receive its fair share of state and federal funding. The CEO represents Valley Water to the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA). Although the position reports to the board of directors, a strong, collaborative working relationship with the district counsel, the clerk of the board, and all business units is essential.

The next CEO is enthusiastic about building and maintaining an effective, high-functioning team throughout the organization. The ideal candidate empowers others and avoids micromanagement. The successful candidate is comfortable in a multi-cultural environment with a demonstrated professional commitment to diversity and inclusion, including those with disabilities. The preferred candidate is a public servant, a collaborative problem solver, and a champion of a transparent and customer service-oriented government.

The successful candidate has the strength, experience, and skill to support and guide the diverse, engaged members of the board of directors. The next CEO can say no to the board with authority, but politely and with tact. The ideal candidate is diplomatic, politically astute, but apolitical, and operates with the requisite amount of objectivity and professional detachment. The preferred candidate is a good listener, even tempered and calm under pressure, and with excellent business sense.

View the full recruitment brochure here: https://columbialtd.com/recruitments/

HOW TO APPLY:

To be considered for this excellent professional opportunity, please email only your cover letter and resume to apply@columbialtd.com, naming your files Last.First.CL and Last.First.Resume. Receipt of your submittal will be acknowledged within two business days. All applicants will be updated on their status following the Recommendation of Candidates.

If you have any questions regarding the recruitment process, or this opportunity, please feel free to call Andrew Gorgey directly at (970) 987-1238. For more information, visit the Columbia ltd website: https://columbialtd.com.

To apply, please visit https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/scvwd/jobs/5330756/chief-executive-officer