WaterTAP Board Announces Call For Directors

Board seeks to appoint up to four new Directors

The Nominating and Governance Committee of the Water Technology Acceleration Project (WaterTAP) has announced a call for nominations for candidates for the Board of Directors.

The Board is seeking Directors to fill at least three positions. All Directors will be elected for a three-year term (September 2018 – September 2021). The deadline for applications is Friday, May 18, 2018.

WaterTAP connects Canadian water technology companies to resources that accelerate their commercialization, market adoption, and growth, with the aim of making Canada one of the top three innovation hubs for water technology globally. With water spending expected to reach $1T per year by 2020, there is a real opportunity for Canada to build on its strengths in the sector and become a leading water solutions country.

WaterTAP will be at the nexus of this opportunity. Building on its demonstrated success in Ontario and to support Ontario water sector companies by increasing their capacity, business opportunities, and partnership opportunities across Canada, WaterTAP will initiate the first phase of a staged national development strategy over the next year, delivering innovative programs to Canadian water technology companies through effective program delivery partnerships, and participating in initiatives that are strategic to supporting Canada’s water sector.

The next three years will be a time of unprecedented transition and growth at WaterTAP in terms of both the mandate of the organization, and the staged development of key partnerships that will enable the organization to have a national impact.

The WaterTAP Board is comprised of business and government leaders who have a proven track record of success in managing water or clean-technology enterprises. Directors are responsible for strategic leadership, financial stewardship, executive performance management, and organizational governance, and are accountable to the organization’s funders, clients, and stakeholders. The Board meets face-to-face in Toronto and other locations each quarter, with periodic teleconference meetings. There are presently three Board Committees which meet in the interim periods between Board meetings: Finance and Audit, Nominating and Governance, and Human Resources.

The Board is seeking volunteers who can make a meaningful contribution to the organization’s mission and support successful execution of its strategic plan. A full position description is available here (http://watertapontario.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/WaterTAP-Board-Director-Role-Description_April-2018.pdf). Board members collectively bring the following skills, knowledge, and experience:

• Sector knowledge and experience – solid technical knowledge and understanding of water, wastewater, or clean-technology industry challenges, issues, or regulations. Industry experience and connections as a water sector executive, clean technology entrepreneur, or senior leader within government.
• Exceptional strategic thinking capabilities – able to be visionary about the future; think strategically; identify and critically assess strategic opportunities and threats; evaluate alternatives, monitor risks and assess progress in achieving goals.
• Proven business management skills – knowledgeable about how organizations successfully execute strategy to achieve growth or sales targets, manage organizational performance, and ensure that the organization is accountable for results.
• Strong financial acumen – financially literate; able to understand and analyze financial statements and critically assess financial viability, performance, and sustainability of the organization; knowledgeable about Canadian GAAP for not-for-profit organizations.
• Politically astute – knowledgeable about government relations, public affairs, issues management, stakeholder relations and communications; connected to a network of government contacts.
• Governance experience, including experience serving on Boards; knowledgeable about best practices in governance structures, policies, and processes; understands the role of directors, fiduciary duties and duty of care. Director accreditation (ICD.D, C.Dir. or equivalent) is an asset.
• Innovation and technology commercialization experience – experience with technology commercialization, including technology development, market entry and expansion, early stage investment and corporate finance, and IP protection.
• Knowledge in the areas of human capital and executive performance management, information technology and business systems, or enterprise risk management is considered an asset.
• Experience with First Nations issues and engagement is an asset.
• Fluency in both of Canada’s official languages is an asset.

Per the provisions of the Water Opportunities Act and Ontario Regulation 40/11 s. 5 – members of the Board are not entitled to any remuneration, but may be reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.

Time Commitment:

• 5 Board meetings per year (in person)
• Participation in annual strategic planning retreats / annual general meeting (1-2 full days)
• 1‐2 teleconference Board meetings; and
• Participation on at least 1 Board committee

Selection Process:

• All nominees must submit their resume, the contact details for three references, and a signed Application Form (PDF) to hr@WaterTAPontario.com.
• Closing date for applications is May 18, 2018.
• The Nominating and Governance Committee will contact selected nominees to arrange an interview in June.
• A slate of candidates will be prepared for the Board’s consideration.
• All nominees will be informed about the outcome of the selection process.

About WaterTAP
The Water Technology Acceleration Project was established in 2010 by the Government of Ontario under the Water Opportunities Act. It brings a diverse set of experience and guidance to helping water industry entrepreneurs gain access to the resources they need to successfully commercialize their products and services and grow their businesses. For more information, visit www.WaterTAPontario.com.