Project Manager - Permitting

Position Description

The Permitting Project Manager is responsible for managing the technical, financial, and schedule-related aspects of permitting-focused projects by representing the firm in communications with clients, permitting jurisdictions, consultants, and internal staff.

• This role will be responsible for coordinating staff and primary contact with clients.
• Lead early permitting due diligence and entitlement strategy to identify risks, approvals, and agency requirements.
• Coordinate with clients to communicate permitting status, risks, timelines, and required actions.
• Maintain strong working relationships with local, county, state, and federal permitting agencies.
• Support Business Development and Marketing teams by providing permitting insight during pursuit and proposal development, including schedule and risk input.

• Establish and manage overall permitting strategy for projects, including sequencing, dependencies, and agency coordination.
• Oversee preparation, review, and submission of permit applications, supporting documents, plans, and exhibits.
• Coordinate plan reviews with Engineering, Survey, Environmental, and Construction teams to ensure permit compliance.
• Lead meetings and calls with permitting agencies and facilitate resolution of review comments.
• Track permit status, approvals, conditions, and expiration dates; ensure permit conditions are clearly communicated to project teams and clients.
• Manage permit modifications, revisions, and amendments as required.
• Ensure permitting requirements are integrated into project schedules and construction sequencing.
• Promote internal communication and cross-discipline coordination related to permitting requirements.

• Develop and manage permitting scopes, budgets, and schedules for assigned projects.
• Monitor permitting-related labor, consultant costs, and agency fees; analyze variances and initiate corrective actions as needed.
• Assist with change management related to permitting scope changes, delays, or agency requirements.
• Support invoice review and permitting-related billing, as necessary.
• Provide regular status updates to clients and leadership regarding permitting progress, risks, and schedule impacts.

• Provide leadership, direction, and mentorship to permitting staff and project teams.
• Allocate permitting workload to ensure efficient use of staff resources.
• Participate in hiring, onboarding, training, and development of permitting personnel.
• Support performance management, coaching, and professional development for assigned team members.

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental, Ecological, Land Planning, Survey, GIS, or closely related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum 6 – 8 years of applicable industry experience, including significant experience with permitting and regulatory coordination.
• Minimum 2 years of project management experience, including budgets, schedules, and scope management.
• Professional licensure (e.g., PE, PS, RLA, AICP, CPG, SR/WA) preferred.
• Strong understanding of permitting processes for municipal, transportation, utility, land development, and infrastructure projects.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to communicate regulatory requirements clearly.
• Exceptional organization, attention to detail, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with technical and non-technical personnel.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel to project sites and client locations as required.

• Office setting
• Approximately 10% travel, including visits to project sites, permitting agencies, and client locations
• Regularly required to sit