Portfolio Lead, Banking Partnerships

About Water.org

1 in 4 people around the world lack access to safe water and 2 in 5 people don't have access to a safe toilet. We are working every day to change this. We are Water.org. We're here to bring water and sanitation to the world. We want to make it safe, accessible, and cost-effective because we believe that water is the way to empower a bright future that we can all share in, worldwide. We are an international nonprofit organization based in Kansas City, Missouri that has positively transformed millions of lives around the world through access to safe water and sanitation. Founded by Gary White and Matt Damon, we pioneer market-driven financial solutions to the global water crisis. For more than 30 years, we've been providing women hope, children health and families a bright future.

Why this role

If you have built your career in financial inclusion or retail and MSME lending, this role lets you apply that expertise to a different kind of outcome. You will turn partner institutions' lending capability into water and sanitation finance for households that need it, and you will do it with a leadership role, a team, and real room to shape strategy. This is one of the few roles where a banker’s instincts for lending, product and partnerships go straight into measurable change in people’s lives: shape our banking strategy in South Asia and see your work show up as safe water and toilets in millions of homes.

What You'll Do

The Portfolio Lead owns Water.org's portfolio of banking and financial institution partnerships in South Asia. You will lead a team of 3 Partnership/ Senior Partnership Account Managers, report to the Director, Financial Institution Partnerships, and manage MSME NBFCs, public-sector banks, apex industry & training institutions, private banks and small finance banks.

What You'll Do

As Portfolio Lead, you'll own a dynamic portfolio of banking and financial institution partnerships, driving the growth and performance of accounts that deliver affordable water and sanitation financing to families who need it most. You'll combine the strategic instincts of a portfolio leader with the relationship depth of a banker — shaping partner strategies, clearing the path for your team, and translating market opportunities into real-world impact.

• Grow partnerships. Engage senior decision-makers at banks, MFIs and related institutions to deliver year-over-year growth of new and existing accounts. Identify and open new partners who are ready to add water and sanitation finance to their offering.
• Own the portfolio. Lead planning, performance targets, financial objectives and critical milestones across the portfolio, using Water.org's global frameworks for partnership design, solution design and field monitoring.
• Lead and develop your team. Coach and challenge account managers and partnership professionals, align their efforts to results, and build effective collaboration across functions.
• Clear the path. Act as the first point of escalation when your team faces obstacles, and flag risks early.
• Keep the data honest. Deliver timely, accurate reporting on account performance, impact progress, forecasts and funding utilization.
• Advise partners. Help institutions assess readiness for water and sanitation finance and design solutions that fit their business, regulatory environment and customers.

What we are looking for

• Bachelor's degree and/or equivalent related work experience.
• 10 or more years of progressive responsibility in retail and wholesale microlending and/or water and sanitation financing, including strategic account management, partner development, partnership management and/or project management.
• 5 or more years of supervisory experience.
• A proven record of business development: expanding accounts and contracts with banks, water and sanitation enterprises, MSMEs, or related networks. Please give specifics in your application, such as a banking partnership you launched or the growth you delivered.
• Strong written and spoken English.

Strongly preferred

• Experience in financial inclusion or retail lending, particularly within a bank or financial institution.
• Familiarity with MSME lending portfolios.
• Current knowledge of the Indian regulatory and business environment, and of trends such as MSME credit and blended finance, and how they shape partnership design.
• A track record of taking initiative: building something new, solving a problem without a playbook, or opening a market

Also valued

• Experience working directly with senior leaders at banks, NBFCs, MFIs or apex institutions.
• Comfort managing multiple complex relationships across different perspectives and cultures.

How you will work

Based in Chennai on a hybrid arrangement. Up to 25% domestic and international travel.

Why Water.org?

At Water.org, we're dedicated to breaking barriers to safe water access for everyone, everywhere. When you join us, you'll be part of a purpose-driven team committed to sustainability, diversity of thoughts, ideas and experiences, and making a lasting impact. We offer growth opportunities, a collaborative culture, and the chance to drive global change.

Discover What Makes Water.org a Great Place to Work

Ready to make a difference? Apply today and join a team that's transforming lives through partnerships!

Salary/Benefits

This position offers country-specific benefits and market-based, competitive salary as well as periodic review for merit and incentive pay based on organizational and personal achievement. Being authorized to work in the country posted is a precondition of employment.

Type and Estimated Length of Employment: Full-Time, Exempt

Water.org is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing an inclusive environment. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, pregnancy status, military and veteran status, genetic information, and any other status protected by law. We provide qualified applicants and employees reasonable accommodation, when necessary, to enable individuals to complete the application process and/or perform the essential functions of the job. We believe social change happens when people with a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and identities come together with a common purpose. We strive to build and maintain an inclusive team that will advance our mission and work and encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply. Water.org participates in E-Verify.