Senior Manager, Environmental & Permitting
About The Position
The Environmental & Permitting Senior Manager is responsible for acquiring discretionary land-use and environmental permits and authorizations in support of SB Energy’s development and construction portfolio. The portfolio includes utility-scale energy generation, energy storage, and data center projects across the United States. The role plans and oversees local, state, and federal permitting processes and project compliance during development and construction. It manages technical studies and reports, develops permitting strategies, coordinates with cross-functional teams and external consultants, supports project financing, and delivers project schedules and budgets. The position also builds relationships with permitting authorities and other stakeholders and may require up to 30% domestic travel. The position is hybrid and may be based in the San Francisco/Bay Area, San Diego, Denver, Austin, Houston, or Dallas. The stated base pay range is $160,000–$200,000. Total rewards may also include performance-based bonuses, equity grants, and health and wellness benefits.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, biology, land-use planning, ecology, geography, or another relevant field.
- At least 8–12+ years of professional experience.
- At least 5 years of experience supporting environmental compliance and permitting in the United States for energy generation, energy storage, and/or data center projects, including associated infrastructure.
- Strong understanding of local, state, and federal discretionary permits and environmental laws, including CWA, CAA, NEPA, ESA, MBTA, RCRA, EPCRA, and/or state environmental and permitting requirements.
- Experience obtaining discretionary land-use permits and authorizations, including conditional-use permits, special-use permits, zoning changes or amendments, development agreements, general or comprehensive plan amendments, BLM/BIA/DOE rights-of-way, tax abatements, and natural resource permits for relevant projects.
- Experience securing federal approvals.
- Thorough understanding of environmental and wildlife impact avoidance, minimization, and mitigation measures.
- Strategic thinking, problem-solving, analytical and planning abilities, and good judgment.
- Ability to manage multiple time-sensitive projects simultaneously.
- Experience working with and developing relationships with permitting specialists, regulators, project managers, environmental lawyers, scientists, planners, engineers, and contractors.
- Expert communication and organizational skills.
- Strong sense of ownership over individual contributions and team success.
Responsibilities
- Plan and oversee local, state, and federal permitting processes and manage project compliance during development and construction for energy generation, energy storage, and data center projects.
- Prepare, evaluate, and/or manage the preparation of natural resource surveys, land-use applications, environmental impact reports, and other technical reports.
- Assess the practical implications of existing permits and propose permitting strategies.
- Collaborate with Development, Origination, Engineering, Transmission/Interconnection, Capital Markets, Data Center, and other support teams.
- Identify external consultants with relevant local expertise; prepare scopes of work and contract documents; and oversee the quality of their work.
- Support project financing activities.
- Develop and deliver project schedules and budgets.
- Travel nationally, up to 30%.
- Build effective relationships with authorities having jurisdiction, neighbors, local communities, third-party stakeholders, and other relevant stakeholders.
Benefits
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, with 100% of premiums covered by the company for employees and dependents.
- Long-term disability, life insurance, AD&D, and voluntary legal insurance.
- Competitive retirement benefits with a 401(k) company match.
- Generous paid time off and 11 paid company holidays.
- Flexible working arrangements.
- 12 weeks of fully paid parental leave.
- Flexible spending accounts for medical and dependent care, plus transit and commuter FSA with employer contributions.
- Mental health wellness offerings.
- Discounted physical wellness plan and pet insurance.
- Monthly reimbursement for phone, internet, and data.
- Phone equipment purchase benefits.
- Hybrid workplace setup benefits.
- Potential performance-based bonuses and equity grants.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
