Chief Finance and Operations Officer EIT Water via Perrett Laver

About EIT Water
EIT Water is Europe's innovation community for water, marine and maritime systems. It connects industry, innovators, researchers, educators and policymakers to tackle the most urgent water challenges from scarcity, drought and flooding to pollution and ecosystem decline. EIT Water is part of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union.

Founded in 2026, EIT Water has eight regional hubs across Europe and a mandate to deliver systemic innovation from source to sea. EIT Water is now establishing the governance structures that will guide its first Strategic Agenda and long-term impact.

The Role
EIT Water is recruiting its inaugural Chief Finance and Operations Officer (CFOO) to build and lead the organisation’s financial and corporate backbone during its start-up phase and through future growth and scaling. The CFOO reports to the CEO and serves as a member of the Executive Leadership Team, with regular engagement with the Supervisory Board and its relevant committees. The CFOO holds executive responsibility for financial strategy, governance, operations, and organisational enablement, ensuring the organisation operates with strong discipline, compliance, and scalability. Alongside the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Impact Officer and supported by a leadership team of Directors, the CFOO will play a critical role in shaping organisational strategy and enabling sustainable growth, including the design of appropriate legal, financial, and operational structures to support expansion, partnerships, and investment activities. 

Given EIT Water’s start-up phase, the CFOO will initially oversee a broad corporate services portfolio, with the organisational model expected to evolve as the organisation scales. The mandate includes: Finance & Operations, Legal & Procurement, Data & Technology, and People & Organisation.

How to Apply
Applications should be submitted via https://perrettlaver.com/eit-water-executive-team-recruitment/ by 5pm CET Friday 24th July 2026 and should include a current CV and a cover letter setting out your interest and relevant experience. 

The appointment process is led by Perrett Laver on behalf of EIT Water. For questions about the process, please contact Boris.Evenhuis@perrettlaver.com.

EIT Water is part of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union. This activity is co-funded by the European Union. EIT Water is committed to equal opportunities and welcomes applications without discrimination on any grounds. EIT Water is an established Danish Association based in Aarhus.