Advancing Sustainability Circular Economy Infrastructure Development | FUSE Executive F

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How to Apply

section for application instructions.

7 Jul 2025

Priority Final date to receive applications:
July 25, 2025.

Phoenix, Arizona is working to expand its Resource Innovation Campus (RIC) to advance renewable materials recovery and support citywide sustainability goals. The FUSE Executive Fellow will develop strategic recommendations to guide the next phase of RIC development, including tenant attraction, pilot project implementation, and performance tracking. This will support the city’s efforts to expand renewable energy infrastructure, reduce fossil fuel dependency, and support the development of a more sustainable and resilient local economy.

Fellowship Dates:
October 27, 2025 – October 23, 2026

Salary:
Executive Fellows are FUSE employees and receive an annual base salary of $80,000. Fellows can also access various health, dental, and vision insurance benefits. Compensation for this year of public service is not intended to represent market-rate compensation for the experienced professionals in our program.

ABOUT THE FUSE EXECUTIVE FELLOWSHIP

FUSE is a national nonprofit dedicated to increasing the capacity of local governments to work more effectively for communities. We embed private sector executives in city and county agencies to lead projects that improve public services and accelerate systems change. Since 2012, FUSE has led over 400 projects in 58 governments across 26 states, impacting a total population equivalent to 1 in 10 Americans.

When designing each fellowship project, FUSE works closely with government partners and community stakeholders to define a scope of work that will achieve substantive progress toward high-priority local needs. Projects address today’s most pressing challenges and opportunities, including affordable housing, economic mobility, climate resilience, public safety, infrastructure, technology, and more.

FUSE conducts a full executive search for each individual project to ensure that the selected candidate has at least 15 years of professional experience, the required competencies for the role, and deep connections to the community being served.

Executive Fellows are embedded in government agencies working with senior leaders for at least one year of full-time work. Prospective responsibilities may include thorough data analytics and research, developing enhanced operations and financial models, building change management and strategic planning processes, and/or building broad coalitions to support project implementation efforts. Executive Fellows are data-driven and results-oriented and able to effectively manage complex projects.

They build strong relationships with a broad array of stakeholders, foster alignment within and across various layers of government, and build partnerships between governments and communities.

Throughout the fellowships, Executive Fellows receive training, coaching, and professional support to help achieve their project goals.

PROJECT CONTEXT

City-led strategies to manage renewable and electronic waste are increasingly vital for promoting environmental sustainability, public health, and economic opportunity. As cities confront rising volumes of hard-to-recycle materials—including electronics, solar panels, and electric vehicle batteries—they must find innovative ways to divert waste from landfills while creating local pathways for recovery and reuse. These efforts are especially important for communities located near landfills and industrial corridors, which are often lower-income neighborhoods that face disproportionate environmental and health burdens.

Circular economy strategies that promote local reuse and safe disposal practices can reduce these disparities and support a cleaner, more resilient urban environment.

In Phoenix, Arizona, the Public Works Department has taken significant steps to lead on sustainable materials recovery. Through the city’s 2021 Climate Action Plan, Phoenix has committed to achieving 50% waste diversion by 2030 and reducing its dependence on landfilling. Central to this…