Innovation Associate

About CWA

Established in 2014, we are a non-profit organization that seeks to better utilize the economic and job-creating potential of Lake Erie while also urging greater care of our valuable, natural asset.

As a collaboration of private and public sector leaders, we’re spearheading a critical effort to steward and capitalize on our region’s freshwater resources and deep legacy of water-related expertise to inspire innovation and opportunity. A significant part of CWA’s work includes engaging with innovators from all over the world to solve industry challenges and commercialize technologies that can have significant industry and economic impact.

The CWA team is small (but mighty!), and our employees are supportive, adaptive, and passionate about our many groundbreaking initiatives. The work environment is dynamic, fast-paced, ever-evolving, and offers opportunities to learn, grow, and explore beyond your job description.

Our Mission

We accelerate the Great Lakes region water economy by enabling innovative solutions to global freshwater issues. CWA serves as a connector and hub: providing quality data, meaningful connections, powerful solutions, and rich opportunities to those who use, manage, and monitor our planet’s most valuable asset.

Position Description

This junior-level position is full-time, generally 9-5 working hours with flexibility and additional hours and salaried with a pay range of $46,000 - $55,000 and includes options for Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement (ICHRA), a retirement match option, and paid vacation/sick days.

Reporting to CWA’s Deputy Director of Programs and Partnerships and working within the innovation portfolio, the Innovation Associate will lend administrative support to CWA staff working hands on with innovators developing the next generation of water technology, leading efforts to optimize the efficiency and effectiveness of the organization.

The role’s responsibilities include:

• Serving as the first point of contact for innovator communications, and coordinating scheduling, logistics, and follow-up for innovator support and services
• Recording and maintaining innovator and stakeholder information within CWA’s CRM systems, updating records and running reports (CWA currently uses Little Green Light and Notion; training will be provided)
• Organizing documentation, innovation-related agreements, and other materials using tools such as Google Drive, as well as hard-copy filing as needed
• Helping create templates that improve information management and process efficiency across CWA’s innovation activities
• Implementing and maintaining new processes, templates and protocols as we evolve to efficiently optimize how our team provides support to innovators across our regional ecosystem
• Supporting CWA innovation activities and initiatives such as Open Innovation Challenges, Testbed deployments, media logistics, and visiting trade missions
• Conducting internet research support under the guidance of the CWA team around technologies, conferences, companies, and other focus areas
• Assisting in note taking as well as assembling and sharing critical documents and presentations
• Attending events and meetings on behalf of CWA
• Other duties as assigned
  

Qualifications

• High School or GED equivalent
• 2+ years experience with administrative support and/or a Bachelor’s Degree a plus
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Strong work ethic and highly dependable
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, Google tools such as Google Sheets, Gemini AI, and internet research
• Experience working with CRM systems and data management a plus
• Professional, friendly, and resourceful with the ability to work independently and as a team player, to take initiative, and to manage multiple tasks
• Ability to work both remotely and in-person; CWA’s office is located in the Midtown neighborhood of Cleveland
  

How to Apply

Please submit the following information:

● Cover Letter

● Resume

● A list of three work-related references including name, relationship, and contact information

Applications will be received until 5 pm on October 30, 2026, or until the position is filled.