ZRG Aspen Leadership Group is proud to partner with the Great Basin Water Network in the search for an Executive Director.

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director serves as the chief executive, strategic leader, and public voice of Great Basin Water Network, working in close partnership with the Board of Directors to advance the organization's mission and define its next chapter of impact. Building on GBWN's reputation as one of the West's most trusted and influential voices for water policy and conservation, this is a rare opportunity for a collaborative and entrepreneurial leader who thrives on bringing people together, building trusted relationships, and advancing meaningful change through strategic leadership and advocacy.

Working alongside an engaged Board of Directors, the Executive Director will build upon GBWN's extraordinary foundation by expanding the organization's influence, advancing its advocacy priorities, growing philanthropic support, strengthening organizational capacity, and positioning the Network for long-term sustainability and impact. As the organization's primary spokesperson, the Executive Director represents GBWN with donors, policymakers, Tribal Nations, conservation partners, community leaders, the media, and other key stakeholders across the Great Basin and beyond.

GBWN is intentionally lean. The Executive Director currently serves as the organization's only full-time employee, supported by an engaged Board of Directors and a network of consultants and partners. As the organization enters its next chapter, the Board is committed to strengthening organizational capacity, including the opportunity to add staff support as organizational priorities and resources evolve.

More than two decades ago, ranchers, Tribal leaders, conservationists, local governments, scientists, attorneys, and community advocates came together around a shared belief: the future of the Great Basin depended on protecting its waters. What began as a grassroots effort to challenge an unprecedented groundwater export proposal has grown into one of the American West's most respected voices for water policy, conservation, and community advocacy.

Since its founding, GBWN has stood at the intersection of conservation, public policy, science, and grassroots organizing to protect the waters that sustain communities, economies, wildlife, and landscapes across Nevada and Utah. In 2020, after years of organizing, advocacy, litigation, and coalition building, GBWN helped defeat the Southern Nevada Water Authority's proposed groundwater pipeline—one of the most significant conservation victories in the American West and a defining moment not only for the organization, but for the future of the Great Basin itself.

Today, GBWN continues to bring together diverse voices around a shared belief: when critical water challenges demand solutions, collaboration and science can drive lasting change. Guided by that philosophy, its mission is to protect locally sustainable water uses, natural resources, and public interest through communication, coordination, research, science, education, litigation, and advocacy throughout the extended Great Basin.

A bachelor's degree, or an equivalent combination of education and experience, and at least five years of professional experience in nonprofit leadership, advocacy, public policy, government affairs, conservation, academia, business, or a related field is required. The Great Basin Water Network will consider candidates with a broad range of backgrounds. If you are excited about this role and feel that you can contribute to GBWN, but your experience does not exactly align with every qualification listed above, we encourage you to apply. All applications must be accompanied by a cover letter and résumé. Cover letters should be responsive to the mission of the Great Basin Water Network and the responsibilities and qualifications specified in the position prospectus.

The salary range for this position is $110,000 to $120,000. The Great Basin Water Network offers a 403(b) retirement contribution of up to 5% and an annual contribution to a pre-tax Health Reimbursement Account of up to $7,500.

The position entails extensive travel, as much as one week per month. Travel expenses will be reimbursed. The Executive Director must be based in Las Vegas or Reno, though they will work remotely.