Director of Strategic Initiatives

Job DetailsJob Location: Canonsburg PA - Canonsburg, PA 15317Position Type: Full TimeEducation Level: 4 Year DegreeTravel Percentage: NegligibleJob Shift: DayJob Category: OtherAt Aquatech, we tackle the challenges of critical minerals, water scarcity, and complexity by leveraging technology, expertise, and financing to deliver comprehensive solutions that enable competitive, sustainable infrastructure. As a leading global provider of water and industrial process technology solutions, we help the world's most recognized companies achieve their sustainability and operational goals by implementing innovative approaches for water reuse, desalination, minimal and zero liquid discharge, and critical minerals recovery. Learn more at www.aquatech.com

Aquatech has an immediate need for a full-time Director of Strategic Initiatives to work in our Canonsburg Pa location. The hours are Monday – Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. The Director of Strategic Initiatives will perform the duties described in the job description below and will be considered an Exempt employee.

Job Profile and Success Metrics

Reporting Relationship

Reports directly to the Executive Chairman and CEO

Position Purpose

The Director of Strategic Initiatives serves as a trusted advisor, strategic partner, and operational extension of the Executive Chairman & CEO . This role drives alignment, execution, governance, and accountability across the enterprise, ensuring that strategic priorities are translated into measurable results.

The Director of Strategic Initiatives acts as the central orchestrator of the company's Management Operating Rhythm (MOR), Board Operating Review (BOR), strategic initiatives, leadership follow-through, and cross-functional business performance. The role provides leverage to the CEO and President by anticipating issues, coordinating execution, removing obstacles, and ensuring leadership focus remains on the highest-value activities.

Job Description

Strategic Support and Gatekeeper to Office of Chairman

Translate strategic direction into actionable priorities and execution plans.
Drive preparation for executive decision-making and strategic discussions.
Conduct research, analysis, and scenario planning on critical business issues.
Support mergers, acquisitions, integration efforts, and strategic growth initiatives when required.
Ideal state : Serve as a thought partner on enterprise strategy, growth initiatives, organizational priorities, and transformation efforts.

Management Operating Rhythm (MOR) Leadership

Own and continuously improve the company-wide operating cadence.
Design and manage the annual MOR calendar.
Lead weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual business review processes.
Coordinate enterprise KPI/Goals reviews and performance reporting.
Ensure alignment between strategic objectives and operational execution.
Drive accountability for commitments made during leadership meetings.
Monitor progress against key initiatives and escalate risks.
Deliverables

Executive dashboards
Quarterly business reviews
Annual operating plan reviews
Enterprise KPI/Goals scorecards
Strategic initiative tracking

Board Operating Rhythm (BOR)

Serve as primary coordinator for Board and Committee activities.
Own the Board governance calendar.
Coordinate preparation of Board and Committee materials.
Ensure high-quality presentation content and executive recommendations.
Track Board actions and management commitments.
Partner with finance, legal, HR, and business leaders to consolidate Board information.
Ensure clear communication between Board directives and management execution.
Deliverables

Board meeting agendas
Board presentations
Executive summaries
Action-item tracking
Governance reporting

Executive Communications & Leadership Alignment

Ensure consistent communication and alignment across the leadership team.
Develop executive messaging and communication materials.
Coordinate leadership meetings and offsites.
Drive follow-up and accountability from executive discussions.
Ensure alignment across functional leaders.
Prepare speeches, presentations, town halls, and leadership communications.

Enterprise Governance & Business Performance

Provide visibility into the health of the business.
Monitor business performance indicators.
Coordinate monthly performance reviews.
Surface emerging risks and opportunities.
Facilitate enterprise prioritization.
Track strategic objectives and key results.

Areas of Oversight

Growth
Profitability
Execution
Talent
Customer outcomes
Strategic initiatives

Decision Rights & Authority

Coordinate activities across executive leadership.
Request updates and progress reports from business leaders.
Escalate execution risks to the Executive Chairman and CEO
Develop and maintain financial models to support forecasting, budgeting, strategic

Critical Success Metrics

Strategic Execution

Percent of strategic initiatives delivered on plan
Milestone achievement rate
Speed of execution on key priorities

MOR Excellence

Completion of operating reviews on schedule
Follow-through on leadership commitments
Quality of KPI reporting and insights

BOR Excellence

Timely delivery of Board materials
Board action-item closure rate
Governance effectiveness

Skills

Enterprise Thinking

Sees connections across functions, markets, customers, and strategic priorities.

Strategic Agility

Balances long-term strategy with short-term execution.

Relentless Execution

Drives outcomes with urgency and discipline.

Influence Without Authority

Creates alignment across senior leaders and stakeholders.

Executive Presence

Builds trust with executives, Board members, investors, and external partners.

Radical Collaboration

Breaks down silos and drives one-team behavior.
Judgment & Confidentiality
Exercises exceptional discretion while handling highly sensitive information.

QualificationsQualifications

Required

12+ years of progressive leadership experience
Experience working directly with senior executives and boards
Strong business acumen across operations, finance, commercial, and organizational effectiveness
Demonstrated success leading cross-functional initiatives
Experience managing complex stakeholder environments

Preferred

Background in strategy consulting, business operations, transformation, private equity-backed companies, industrial technology, water, infrastructure, engineering, or manufacturing environments
Experience supporting Boards and executive committees
MBA or equivalent advanced degree
Ability to travel up to 25%