Principal Project Manager

SWCA Environmental Consultants • Tampa, FL

3h • Hybrid

About The Position

SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking a Principal Project Manager to support its growing portfolio of complex, multidisciplinary environmental projects across Florida and the broader Southeast. This is a high-impact leadership opportunity for a seasoned project manager who thrives in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and is passionate about delivering technical excellence, driving client success, and mentoring high-performing teams. This position is open to candidates based in Florida, with flexibility for remote work. Periodic travel throughout the state and region will be required to support client engagement, project oversight, and team collaboration. In this role, you will lead projects spanning infrastructure, energy, resilience, and environmental planning efforts, ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal regulations. You will play a key role in shaping technical approaches, strengthening client relationships, and advancing SWCA’s reputation for quality and innovation.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Biology, Ecology, Environmental Engineering, or a related field.
• 10+ years of relevant experience, including 5+ years managing projects.
• Demonstrated expertise in wetland science and aquatic resources, including delineations and jurisdictional determinations.
• Strong experience with Clean Water Act permitting (Sections 404 and 401).
• Proven experience working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and state regulatory agencies, ideally in Florida or the Southeast.
• Track record of managing complex projects and multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience with project financials (budgets, forecasting, invoicing).
• Demonstrated client management and business development experience (seller-doer).
• Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills

Nice To Haves

• Master’s preferred
• 12+ years and 7+ years managing projects preferred
• Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS) or similar certification.
• PMP certification.
• Experience with mitigation strategy, restoration, or mitigation banking.
• Familiarity with Florida-specific permitting and regulatory frameworks.
• Experience supporting infrastructure, energy, or land development projects.
• Established relationships with clients and regulatory agencies in Florida or the Southeast.

Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver complex, multidisciplinary environmental projects across Florida and the Southeast, with full accountability for scope, schedule, budget, and quality.
• Serve as a technical leader in FERC, project management, aquatic resources and wetland science, guiding wetland delineations, and impact assessments.
• Direct and manage permitting strategies, application development, and agency coordination.
• Partner closely with Federal and state regulatory agencies to navigate permitting pathways and ensure compliance.
• Develop and implement avoidance, minimization, and mitigation strategies, including restoration and mitigation banking approaches.
• Act as a trusted advisor to clients, providing strategic guidance on regulatory risk, project feasibility, and environmental constraints.
• Manage project financials, including scoping, budgeting, forecasting, and invoicing, ensuring strong performance and client satisfaction.
• Lead client relationships and business development efforts, expanding SWCA’s presence in Southeast’s water resources and permitting market.
• Mentor and develop staff, while fostering collaboration across disciplines to deliver integrated, high-quality results.
• Contribute to innovative technical approaches and standards that strengthen SWCA’s reputation and project outcomes.
• Serve as an ambassador for SWCA’s Safety Culture and implementation

Benefits

• Competitive Benefits package
• Forward-thinking workplace flexibility
• Outstanding corporate culture
• Award-winning career development
• 100% employee stock ownership plan (ESOP)
• Conference attendance
• Internal and external training
• Education reimbursement
• Science and Leadership Program
• Bonuses for qualifying publications
• Comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, wellness, life, and disability coverage
• Employee Assistance Program
• 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan and Trust
• Performance bonuses

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Principal
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees