What are the responsibilities and job description for the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans - Executive Director position at Raftelis?
The Executive Director of the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans (SWBNO) serves as the chief executive officer, reporting directly to the Board of Directors, and is responsible for executing the organizations strategic vision. This position requires a leader who can oversee and modernize the citys critical water, wastewater, and drainage systems while ensuring operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, and long-term sustainability. Managing a complex public utility with aging infrastructure, significant capital projects, and essential service delivery, the Executive Director must implement transformative change that enhance resilience and reliability for the citys residents and businesses.
This role requires expertise in financial stewardship, infrastructure investment, and policy navigation to ensure SWBNO operates efficiently and sustainably. Key challenges include modernizing infrastructure that exceeds 100 years in age, fostering transparency with stakeholders, improving workforce development and retention, securing financial stability, and maintaining an apolitical approach while navigating complex political environments. Additionally, the Executive Director must advance climate resilience strategies, which include green infrastructure, to mitigate the risks of extreme weather and flooding, given New Orleans geographic vulnerabilities.
Beyond financial and operational management, the role requires extensive knowledge of water management and environmental policy. The Executive Director must advocate for additional investment in stormwater management systems, create long-term funding strategies, and engage in public outreach to foster community trust. Strong communication skills and a commitment to transparency are essential, as the role involves coordinating with the mayors office, city council, and regulatory agencies. Given the political sensitivities of this position, the Executive Director must ensure that all messaging remains clear, consistent, and focused on SWBNOs mission to serve the public effectively.
Priorities
The Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans provides essential water, sewerage, and drainage services to the residents of New Orleans. Our team of experts serve the people of New Orleans and improve their quality of life by reliably and affordably providing safe drinking water, removing wastewater for safe return to the environment, and draining stormwater to protect our community.
SWBNO has served as a model utility for much of its existence. The organization is a quasi-City/State entity that is an unattached board of the city government created by the State Legislature and governed by an eleven-member Board of Directors. The Board is made up of the Mayor of New Orleans, one New Orleans City Council member (Public Works, Sanitation and Environment Committee Chair), two Board of Liquidation/City Debt representatives, five citizen members representing City Council districts, and two customer advocates. The Board of Directors appoints the utilitys Executive Director, who serves at their pleasure, and it guides the strategic and financial policy of the organization. See the organizational chart here. Appointed Board members serve four-year terms and cannot serve more than two consecutive terms.
The Board is authorized to administer the construction, maintenance, and operation of the water, sewer, and drainage systems for the City of New Orleans. SWBNO also provides some services to neighboring parishes. The Executive Director oversees the day-to-day operations of SWBNO, including drinking water, wastewater, and drainage activities in Orleans Parish, as well as the power generation and distribution systems to support them.
SWBNO has over 1,200 employees and serves a population of 364,136 (US Census 2023). The utilitys 2022 operating budget was $224 million, with $124 million coming from water revenues and $156 million from wastewater. SWBNO serves 140,000 customer accounts. Drainage revenues come from $70 million in ad valorem taxes. Additionally, SWBNO has a 10-year capital investment program of $1.4 billion.
The Ideal Candidate
The next Executive Director must be a visionary and transformational leader who can build trust and drive meaningful changes in a complex, high-profile public utility. This individual must possess outstanding communication skills to effectively engage stakeholders at all levels, from government officials and business leaders to community groups and employees. Strong political acumen is required to navigate city governance while maintaining a nonpartisan and service-focused approach. The ideal candidate will have experience leading major infrastructure initiatives, implementing strategic financial plans, and modernizing operations to enhance efficiency and reliability.
A strong background in financial management is essential, including expertise in securing funding through multiple sources, including state and federal grants, developing long-term revenue strategies, and optimizing expenditures. Given SWBNOs financial challenges and deferred maintenance backlog, the Executive Director must implement sustainable financial solutions and ensure capital projects align with long-term infrastructure priorities. This individual should have experience with financial modeling, rate structuring, and navigating regulatory frameworks related to public utilities.
Crisis management expertise is essential for effectively responding to emergencies such as flooding, infrastructure failures, and service disruptions. The Executive Director must take charge of SWBNO's emergency response initiatives, ensuring that robust preparedness protocols are in place. During crises, the ability to communicate clearly and confidently is crucial to reassure the public and stakeholders. This position requires strong leadership to manage high-priority issues and navigate the complexities of emergency situations.
In addition to crisis management, the ideal candidate must possess strong media relations skills and proactively oversee public relations efforts to counter misinformation. They must ensure that SWBNOs achievements and challenges are accurately portrayed to the public. Given the highly visible nature of this role, the Executive Director must be adept at engaging with the media, maintaining a poised and professional presence in front of the camera, and effectively conveying key messages to the public.
Beyond external leadership, the Executive Director must be collaborative and adept at fostering an organizational culture prioritizing accountability, professional growth, and workforce engagement. SWBNO faces ongoing challenges related to employee morale, civil service constraints, and legacy bureaucratic inefficiencies. The new leader must implement strategies to attract and retain high-performing employees, streamline administrative processes, and promote a culture of excellence. Additionally, they must enhance partnerships with local universities and workforce development programs to create pipelines for future talent.
This role requires knowledge of large-scale infrastructure projects, including water, sewer, and drainage systems. The candidate works in partnership with the General Superintendent (Chief of Operations). Candidates must demonstrate experience managing complex public utilities or similar organizations and be capable of implementing best practices in regulatory compliance, operational efficiency, and strategic planning. The ability to oversee capital improvement programs and drive forward-looking initiatives in sustainability and resilience is a crucial aspect of success in this role.
Qualifications
Requirements include a degree in public administration, business administration, finance, urban planning, engineering, law, or a closely related field. An advanced degree in these or a related discipline is preferred. Ten (10) years of progressively responsible leadership experience, including three (3) years in a senior executive management capacity, preferably including leadership of a municipal government, business, or enterprise.
The City of New Orleans
New Orleans is a consolidated city-parish located along the Mississippi River in Louisiana. The population of the greater New Orleans metropolitan area is 1,013,000 (2023). The City of New Orleans is one of the most culturally rich and historically significant cities in the United States, from diverse historical neighborhoods to Mardi Gras to a constant stream of festivals, to an award-winning food sceneand everything in between.
The City is more than just an internationally renowned visitor destination. It serves as a maritime crossroads and a major port. It is considered an economic and commercial hub for the broader Gulf Coast region of the United States.
New Orleans has a Mayor-Council form of government. The City Council has seven members, five elected by district and two at-large members. The Mayor serves a four-year term. Both the Council and the Mayor are limited to two consecutive terms. The New Orleans government is largely centralized in the City Council and Mayors office.
Offering a host of family-friendly neighborhoods and city events, a thriving youth sports environment, and an engaging arts scene, New Orleans never fails to have something for the family to do. With dozens of music venues, theaters, museums, and multiple professional sports teams, there truly is something for everyone and every lifestyle. New Orleans is an intellectual hub with seven universities, three HBCUs, two medical schools, two law schools, a dental school, a public health school, and four community and technical colleges.
SWBNO is offering a highly competitive salary starting at $350,000 depending on qualifications and experience, with an excellent benefits package. Learn more about our options and employee-based benefits here.
How to Apply
Applications will be accepted electronically by Raftelis. Applicants complete a brief online form and are prompted to provide a cover letter and resume. The position will be open until filled with a first review of applications beginning March 14, 2025.
This recruitment will incorporate existing rules and regulations that govern public sector recruitments in the State of Louisiana. Information submitted for consideration may be made available to the public upon request by interested parties in accordance with public disclosure and open records laws.
Questions
Please direct questions to Anne Lewis at alewis@raftelis.com and Robert Colichio at rcolichio@raftelis.com.
RECRUITMENT BROCHURE
This role requires expertise in financial stewardship, infrastructure investment, and policy navigation to ensure SWBNO operates efficiently and sustainably. Key challenges include modernizing infrastructure that exceeds 100 years in age, fostering transparency with stakeholders, improving workforce development and retention, securing financial stability, and maintaining an apolitical approach while navigating complex political environments. Additionally, the Executive Director must advance climate resilience strategies, which include green infrastructure, to mitigate the risks of extreme weather and flooding, given New Orleans geographic vulnerabilities.
Beyond financial and operational management, the role requires extensive knowledge of water management and environmental policy. The Executive Director must advocate for additional investment in stormwater management systems, create long-term funding strategies, and engage in public outreach to foster community trust. Strong communication skills and a commitment to transparency are essential, as the role involves coordinating with the mayors office, city council, and regulatory agencies. Given the political sensitivities of this position, the Executive Director must ensure that all messaging remains clear, consistent, and focused on SWBNOs mission to serve the public effectively.
Priorities
- Oversee the modernization of the city's aging water, wastewater, and drainage infrastructure by implementing large-scale infrastructure upgrades that improve service reliability, increase efficiency, and ensure compliance with evolving environmental standards.
- Address challenges in stormwater management due to New Orleans unique topographic situation developing sustainable flood mitigation strategies that incorporate green infrastructure solutions and modern drainage technology to reduce urban flooding risks.
- Improve the implementation of capital improvement programs and infrastructure maintenance plans, ensuring projects are completed on time and within budget while prioritizing the highest impact initiatives for long-term sustainability.
- Ensure long-term financial planning for essential infrastructure updates by developing comprehensive funding strategies, optimizing existing financial resources, and advocating for increased investment from federal, state, and local sources.
- Develop strategies to improve revenue collection and address outstanding accounts receivable (currently estimated at 20% for accounts exceeding 60 says), implementing technology-driven solutions and more effective policies to enhance billing accuracy and payment compliance.
- Advocate for sustainable funding sources, including a drainage fee and potential rate adjustments, ensuring the financial stability necessary to meet SWBNOs operational and capital project needs while minimizing the burden on residents.
- Enhance communication with residents, stakeholders, and city officials to rebuild trust by implementing transparent reporting practices, community outreach programs, and direct engagement initiatives to educate the public about SWBNOs efforts and challenges.
- Improve billing and customer service operations, including better technology integration, by modernizing customer support platforms, streamlining complaint resolution processes, and increasing accessibility to account management resources for residents.
- Implement the "People Plan" to improve workforce efficiency and morale, eliminate civil service constraints, foster a culture of professional development, and ensure employees have clear career advancement opportunities.
- Strengthen relationships with local, state, and federal agencies, including city council members, the mayor's office, and our state legislative delegation. Leverage these partnerships to secure additional funding, align strategic priorities, and advocate for policies that support SWBNOs mission.
The Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans provides essential water, sewerage, and drainage services to the residents of New Orleans. Our team of experts serve the people of New Orleans and improve their quality of life by reliably and affordably providing safe drinking water, removing wastewater for safe return to the environment, and draining stormwater to protect our community.
SWBNO has served as a model utility for much of its existence. The organization is a quasi-City/State entity that is an unattached board of the city government created by the State Legislature and governed by an eleven-member Board of Directors. The Board is made up of the Mayor of New Orleans, one New Orleans City Council member (Public Works, Sanitation and Environment Committee Chair), two Board of Liquidation/City Debt representatives, five citizen members representing City Council districts, and two customer advocates. The Board of Directors appoints the utilitys Executive Director, who serves at their pleasure, and it guides the strategic and financial policy of the organization. See the organizational chart here. Appointed Board members serve four-year terms and cannot serve more than two consecutive terms.
The Board is authorized to administer the construction, maintenance, and operation of the water, sewer, and drainage systems for the City of New Orleans. SWBNO also provides some services to neighboring parishes. The Executive Director oversees the day-to-day operations of SWBNO, including drinking water, wastewater, and drainage activities in Orleans Parish, as well as the power generation and distribution systems to support them.
SWBNO has over 1,200 employees and serves a population of 364,136 (US Census 2023). The utilitys 2022 operating budget was $224 million, with $124 million coming from water revenues and $156 million from wastewater. SWBNO serves 140,000 customer accounts. Drainage revenues come from $70 million in ad valorem taxes. Additionally, SWBNO has a 10-year capital investment program of $1.4 billion.
The Ideal Candidate
The next Executive Director must be a visionary and transformational leader who can build trust and drive meaningful changes in a complex, high-profile public utility. This individual must possess outstanding communication skills to effectively engage stakeholders at all levels, from government officials and business leaders to community groups and employees. Strong political acumen is required to navigate city governance while maintaining a nonpartisan and service-focused approach. The ideal candidate will have experience leading major infrastructure initiatives, implementing strategic financial plans, and modernizing operations to enhance efficiency and reliability.
A strong background in financial management is essential, including expertise in securing funding through multiple sources, including state and federal grants, developing long-term revenue strategies, and optimizing expenditures. Given SWBNOs financial challenges and deferred maintenance backlog, the Executive Director must implement sustainable financial solutions and ensure capital projects align with long-term infrastructure priorities. This individual should have experience with financial modeling, rate structuring, and navigating regulatory frameworks related to public utilities.
Crisis management expertise is essential for effectively responding to emergencies such as flooding, infrastructure failures, and service disruptions. The Executive Director must take charge of SWBNO's emergency response initiatives, ensuring that robust preparedness protocols are in place. During crises, the ability to communicate clearly and confidently is crucial to reassure the public and stakeholders. This position requires strong leadership to manage high-priority issues and navigate the complexities of emergency situations.
In addition to crisis management, the ideal candidate must possess strong media relations skills and proactively oversee public relations efforts to counter misinformation. They must ensure that SWBNOs achievements and challenges are accurately portrayed to the public. Given the highly visible nature of this role, the Executive Director must be adept at engaging with the media, maintaining a poised and professional presence in front of the camera, and effectively conveying key messages to the public.
Beyond external leadership, the Executive Director must be collaborative and adept at fostering an organizational culture prioritizing accountability, professional growth, and workforce engagement. SWBNO faces ongoing challenges related to employee morale, civil service constraints, and legacy bureaucratic inefficiencies. The new leader must implement strategies to attract and retain high-performing employees, streamline administrative processes, and promote a culture of excellence. Additionally, they must enhance partnerships with local universities and workforce development programs to create pipelines for future talent.
This role requires knowledge of large-scale infrastructure projects, including water, sewer, and drainage systems. The candidate works in partnership with the General Superintendent (Chief of Operations). Candidates must demonstrate experience managing complex public utilities or similar organizations and be capable of implementing best practices in regulatory compliance, operational efficiency, and strategic planning. The ability to oversee capital improvement programs and drive forward-looking initiatives in sustainability and resilience is a crucial aspect of success in this role.
Qualifications
Requirements include a degree in public administration, business administration, finance, urban planning, engineering, law, or a closely related field. An advanced degree in these or a related discipline is preferred. Ten (10) years of progressively responsible leadership experience, including three (3) years in a senior executive management capacity, preferably including leadership of a municipal government, business, or enterprise.
The City of New Orleans
New Orleans is a consolidated city-parish located along the Mississippi River in Louisiana. The population of the greater New Orleans metropolitan area is 1,013,000 (2023). The City of New Orleans is one of the most culturally rich and historically significant cities in the United States, from diverse historical neighborhoods to Mardi Gras to a constant stream of festivals, to an award-winning food sceneand everything in between.
The City is more than just an internationally renowned visitor destination. It serves as a maritime crossroads and a major port. It is considered an economic and commercial hub for the broader Gulf Coast region of the United States.
New Orleans has a Mayor-Council form of government. The City Council has seven members, five elected by district and two at-large members. The Mayor serves a four-year term. Both the Council and the Mayor are limited to two consecutive terms. The New Orleans government is largely centralized in the City Council and Mayors office.
Offering a host of family-friendly neighborhoods and city events, a thriving youth sports environment, and an engaging arts scene, New Orleans never fails to have something for the family to do. With dozens of music venues, theaters, museums, and multiple professional sports teams, there truly is something for everyone and every lifestyle. New Orleans is an intellectual hub with seven universities, three HBCUs, two medical schools, two law schools, a dental school, a public health school, and four community and technical colleges.
- 2024 Best Food Destination in the US (for the second year in a row) by Tripadvisor's Travelers' Choice
- 2024 Americas New Innovation HubSpot by Axios
- 2024 #1 Top Airport in North America by Airports Council International
- 2023 #1 State with the Best Tech Talent Pipeline by Business Facilities
- 2023 #3 on the Favorite U.S. Cities list by Travel Leisure
- 2023 #1 on the Best Food Cities in the U.S. by U.S News and World Report
- 2022 Souths Best Food City by Southern Living Magazine
- 2022 #3 Destination in the U.S. for City Lovers by Tripadvisor's Travelers' Choice
- 2021 World's Greatest Places 2021 by Time
SWBNO is offering a highly competitive salary starting at $350,000 depending on qualifications and experience, with an excellent benefits package. Learn more about our options and employee-based benefits here.
How to Apply
Applications will be accepted electronically by Raftelis. Applicants complete a brief online form and are prompted to provide a cover letter and resume. The position will be open until filled with a first review of applications beginning March 14, 2025.
This recruitment will incorporate existing rules and regulations that govern public sector recruitments in the State of Louisiana. Information submitted for consideration may be made available to the public upon request by interested parties in accordance with public disclosure and open records laws.
Questions
Please direct questions to Anne Lewis at alewis@raftelis.com and Robert Colichio at rcolichio@raftelis.com.
RECRUITMENT BROCHURE
Salary : $350,000
