Lead Project Manager - Environmental Planning

About the opportunity

SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking a highly experienced, dynamic, self-motivated Lead Project Manager - Environmental Planning with strong interpersonal skills, attention to detail, and experience providing natural resources management, biological studies, and project management across multiple client sectors in the Gulf Coast and broader Southeast region. This individual will successfully drive projects through all phases from early planning and permitting to construction while collaborating with peers across offices, supporting a diversity of state and federal agencies, and delivering technical excellence for clients.

The ability to work directly with clients, manage a variety of project needs in any given week, and support high-performing teams is imperative.

This Lead Resources Project Manager should have technical experience in a range of activities managing and coordinate environmental field surveys;
Endangered Species Act compliance;
National Environmental Policy Act compliance support for federally funded projects or federal permitting processes (e.g., FERC, FEMA, HUD, BLM, etc.); USACE Clean Water Act Section 404/401 permitting; and agency interactions at all levels.

This individual will provide natural resources, cultural resources, and permitting services to clients across a variety of market sectors, supporting project development and regulatory compliance needs. Experience supporting energy development projects is a plus. Skills include the ability to manage small to medium-size projects and track milestones within schedule and budget expectations. You will also support or be responsible for QA/QC oversight of field data and technical deliverables to support reporting, permitting, and environmental compliance efforts.

This is a regular (with benefits) full-time, salaried and exempt position reporting to the Gulf Coast's Environmental Planning Director. Pay rate will be based on individual qualifications and experience. SWCA offers a team-oriented work environment, competitive salaries, and a competitive benefits package, including an employee stock ownership retirement plan (ESOP).

Final date to receive applications
:
Applications will be accepted through September 16, 2026 at 5:00 PM CDT.

• Strategic Project Leadership
  :
  Strategically consults on and leads complex projects in pursuit of client objectives, overseeing the technical approach and ensuring quality assurance and quality control.
• Exemplary Leadership
  :
  Leads by example in both technical and soft skills, navigating client and team priorities to deliver projects that meet professional and oversight agency standards.
• Technical Expertise & Innovation
  :
  Innovates standards and practices to enhance the quality and efficiency of client projects and outcomes, ensuring alignment with industry and regulatory standards. Serves as a go‑to technical expert and consultant, providing novel project strategies and applying technical excellence that considers client needs to meet project requirements.
• Project Accountability
  :
  Continuously guides projects, executing accountability for the performance of projects or delegated tasks and ensuring that project milestones are met and outcomes align with SWCA's values and client expectations. Assesses risks and implements strategies for problem-solving. Revises or suggests revisions to project scopes, schedules, and budgets as necessary to meet evolving project requirements and ensure successful outcomes.
• Business Growth & Innovation
  :
  Drives business growth and client success through technical excellence, innovation, and development of new methods and standards that advance SWCA's technical reputation. Contributes to SWCA's strategic planning.
• Cros…