Description
The City of Scottsdale, AZ (pop. 243,050) is seeking a highly skilled and visionary professional to serve as its next Senior Director of Water Resources. The successful candidate will be a key member of the Executive Leadership Team and will take the lead on major water and wastewater infrastructure projects as well as manage the Water Resources Departments. The Department is one of Arizona’s most innovative and award-winning municipal water utilities. Scottsdale Water is nationally recognized for its leadership in water innovation, including being the first in Arizona permitted for Direct Potable Reuse. The ideal candidate possesses a balance of senior local government management experience and a strong background in water management, engineering, construction, infrastructure development, and/or project management.
Known internationally as a premier resort community, Scottsdale is nestled in the Sonoran Desert at the base of the McDowell Mountains. Scottsdale is one of the nation’s premier communities, celebrated for its exceptional quality of life and dynamic economy. With more than 246,000 residents, Scottsdale blends the charm of its historic Old Town with modern neighborhoods, high-performing schools, and abundant cultural and recreational amenities.
The City of Scottsdale is governed by a mayor and six council members, who set policy direction and establish community priorities. The city manager serves as the organization’s chief executive, leading a staff of talented professionals who deliver high-quality services across a full range of municipal functions.
The vision statement of Scottsdale Water Resources is, “Water Sustainability through Stewardship, Innovation and People.” The Water Resources Department has 220 staff members and a FY26 operating budget of $121.9 million ($89.6M Water and $32.3M Sewer). The division manages more than $2.4 billion in undepreciated fixed assets and maintains a 2% capital reserve policy requirement. The capital budget is $331,339,140.
The Senior Director of Water Resources will oversee water, wastewater, and recycled water operations, and provide high-level leadership in areas such as capital planning, utility finance, regulatory compliance, and workforce development. The role requires a forward-thinking leader capable of navigating complex water challenges while advancing Scottsdale’s mission of resilience and sustainability.
The ideal candidate will have:
- Bachelor's Degree from an accredited educational institution in Water Resources, Business Administration, Civil Engineering, or in a related field, with emphasis in Public Administration.
- Ten years' progressively responsible experience in the management of a medium or large public or private sector public water or wastewater utility; and experience in issues affecting government is required. An equivalent combination of education and/or job-related experience that meets the minimum qualifications may be substituted.
- While technical expertise is essential, success in this role hinges on exceptional interpersonal intelligence, political acumen, and strategic awareness. The ideal candidate will be a skilled communicator and collaborator—able to build trust, foster dialogue, and navigate complex relationships with elected officials, executive leadership, and cross-departmental teams.
The salary range for this position is $167,086 to $225,700, depending on experience/qualifications. The City of Scottsdale provides a comprehensive benefits program that includes generous paid leave, health and dental coverage, participation in the Arizona State Retirement System, and much more. For more information about benefits, click Scottsdale Employee Benefits.
Candidates can apply online at www.GovHRjobs.com with a resume, cover letter, and contact information for five professional references. Deadline for applications is October 17, 2025. For more information, contact Sarah McKee, MGT Senior Consultant, at 847-380-3240 ext. 120.
The City of Scottsdale is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The City makes reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. The City is committed to compliance with the American Disabilities Act and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Diversity and inclusion are critical to their success. They seek to recruit the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool and strongly encourage all qualified candidates to apply.
