Project Director - Environmental

LJA • Charleston, SC

11h • Hybrid

About The Position

As a Project Director at LJA Environmental, you will oversee Business Development within the market area, including multiple states. You will be responsible for building the service line within the market area and ultimately leading a team. This role involves leading and managing a team of Senior Project Managers, Project Managers, and junior staff, including mentoring, training, and performance reviews. You will oversee large, complex, and/or high-profile projects, ensuring completion within scope, schedule, and budget. The role includes developing, reviewing, and maintaining standard operating procedures (SOPs) and report formats, as well as reviewing and editing technical reports. You will serve as the primary client liaison, providing consulting services, managing client relationships, negotiations, collections, and issue resolution. Driving business development efforts, including proposal preparation, budgeting, marketing event participation, and growth with existing and potential clients is key. You will be accountable for the financial performance of the organization unit, including profitability, expenses, revenue forecasting, projections, and budget development in collaboration with Vice Presidents. Reviewing and approving timesheets, expense reports, budgets, invoices, and billings is also part of the responsibilities. You will attend quarterly division meetings, client meetings, and marketing events as required. Assisting executive leadership with long-term strategic planning and organizational goals is expected. This role serves as a technical authority within the department, applying advanced theories, principles, and practices in the assigned area. This role serves as the department's senior authority and may assume any operational leadership role as needed.

Requirements

• Minimum Bachelor of Science, Master’s preferred, in one of the following or related fields: Marine Biology, Rangeland Ecology, Ecology, Soil Science, Geography
• Working knowledge of CWA, ESA, ASTM, and NEPA processes, including permitting and mitigation.
• Strong communication skills
• Ability to build strong relationships
• 15+ years of experience

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree preferred in Marine Biology, Rangeland Ecology, Ecology, Soil Science, Geography

Responsibilities

• Oversee the Business Development within the market area, including multiple states.
• Build the service line within the market area and ultimately lead a team.
• Lead and manage a team of Senior Project Managers, Project Managers, and junior staff, including mentoring, training, and performance reviews.
• Oversee large, complex, and/or high-profile projects, ensuring completion within scope, schedule, and budget.
• Develop, review, and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) and report formats.
• Review and edit technical reports.
• Serve as primary client liaison, providing consulting services, managing client relationships, negotiations, collections, and issue resolution.
• Drive business development efforts, including proposal preparation, budgeting, marketing event participation, and growth with existing and potential clients.
• Accountable for the financial performance of the organization unit, including profitability, expenses, revenue forecasting, projections, and budget development in collaboration with Vice Presidents.
• Review and approve timesheets, expense reports, budgets, invoices, and billings.
• Attend quarterly division meetings, client meetings, and marketing events as required.
• Assist executive leadership with long-term strategic planning and organizational goals.
• Serve as a technical authority within the department, applying advanced theories, principles, and practices in the assigned area.
• Carry out site investigations, collecting, processing, and evaluating off-site and on-site data.
• Process and interpret biological, physical, chemical, geographical, and geological data for preparing environmental reports and work plans.
• Interview, manage, and train additional staff as the need arises.
• Coordinate with external scientists, engineers, and other regulators.
• Provide technical assistance to engineers and program managers for project design alternatives.
• Maintain project standards as per the guidelines by regulatory authorities.
• Prepare and QAQC technical reports.
• Prepare progress reports in accordance with other organizational operations.
• Coordinate with suppliers, fieldwork coordinators, subcontractors, and other field staff.
• Supervise fieldwork for accomplishing the project work for the organization.
• Prepare Level of Effort estimates and scopes of work.
• Coordinate and manage subconsultants LOE and scopes.
• Prepare proposals and subconsultant agreements.
• Manage contract discussions with third-party contractors, local planning authorities, and other project-specific personnel.
• Maintain and utilize up-to-date guidance documents and tool kits for compliance with all regulatory entities for which technical reports and NEPA documents are prepared.

Benefits

• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
• Generous Time Off: PTO, paid holidays, and a full office closure between Christmas and New Year’s.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Multiple plan options for health, dental, and pets. Along with mental health support.
• Family Support: Paid maternity and parental leave.
• Education Support: Tuition reimbursement and in-house courses provided by our Learning and Development team.
• Referral Bonuses
• Community Impact: Company-sponsored volunteer days and philanthropic initiatives.
• Professional Development: Memberships to industry organizations.
• Career Growth: Internal mobility opportunities.
• Fun Culture: LJA social events, employee sports teams, bring your kid to work day, etc.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior