Lead Auditor

ERM•Houston, TX

5d•Remote

About The Position

ERM Certification and Verification Services (CVS), a global team within ERM Group, is seeking a Lead ESG Certification & Verification Assessor to provide accredited certification, verification, and assurance services across North America. This is a remote, work-from-home role involving substantial client engagement and work across industries such as Oil & Gas, Mining, Manufacturing, Pharmaceuticals, Technology, and Data Centers. Travel is expected to be approximately 50% to 75%, primarily within the United States, with occasional international assignments. The role provides independent assurance to help organizations strengthen environmental, health, safety, quality, operational, and ESG performance; manage risk; support compliance; and improve management systems. The Lead Assessor will provide technical leadership, build client relationships, contribute to business development, and support the growth and continuous improvement of ERM CVS. The position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship.

Requirements

Graduate degree in a relevant discipline or equivalent professional qualification in Health, Safety, Environment, Quality, or a related field.
Minimum 3–5 years of professional experience involving the implementation, operation, assessment, or auditing of management systems.
Experience evaluating organizational performance against EHS, quality, operational, or management system objectives.
Demonstrated sector expertise in one or more of the following: Oil & Gas (upstream and downstream operations); Mining & Minerals; Data Centers; or manufacturing and fabrication environments.
For Mining & Minerals expertise, knowledge of IRMA, ASI, or CopperMark frameworks is relevant; for Data Centers, knowledge of energy management and EHS systems is relevant.
Training and working knowledge of at least two listed standards: ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 22301, ISO 27001, ISO 45001, or ISO 50001.
Working knowledge of ISO 17021 and/or ISO 17029 requirements.
Strong understanding of U.S. or Americas-based EHS regulations, including OSHA, EPA, industry-specific, and local regulatory requirements.
Ability to plan and execute audits effectively while meeting deadlines and quality expectations.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including report writing and presentation delivery.
Ability to identify risks and improvement opportunities and communicate findings clearly and objectively.
Fluency in written and spoken English.
Ability and willingness to travel extensively (50% to 75%).

Nice To Haves

Lead Auditor qualifications or professional certifications relevant to management systems auditing.
Experience conducting accredited certification, verification, or assurance assessments.
Experience working across multiple industries and global operating environments.
Knowledge of ESG assurance, sustainability reporting, or related verification frameworks.
Experience mentoring, coaching, or developing auditors and technical assessors.
Additional language capabilities, including Spanish, French, German, Italian, or Japanese.

Responsibilities

Lead certification, verification, and assurance assessments in accordance with ERM CVS procedures and accreditation requirements.
Plan, conduct, and manage audits, including preparation, site activities, stakeholder interviews, evidence review, reporting, and assessment conclusions.
Deliver clear, accurate, and timely assessment reports and recommendations.
Evaluate organizational performance against EHS, quality, operational, or management system objectives.
Identify risks and opportunities for improvement and communicate findings objectively.
Maintain technical expertise across relevant standards, regulations, and industry best practices.
Support continuous improvement of ERM CVS methodologies, competencies, and operational processes.
Share knowledge, lessons learned, and technical expertise across the global ERM CVS team.
Build trusted client relationships and represent ERM CVS professionally during engagements.
Identify opportunities to support client needs and contribute to business development with ERM CVS leadership and partners.
Coach and support colleagues in audit delivery, technical interpretation, and assessment best practices.
Contribute to ERM CVS's reputation for technical excellence, integrity, and client service.