Sr. Principal Specialist, Environmental Management

Neurocrine Biosciences • San Diego, CA

6d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Sr Principal Specialist, Environmental Management serves as the organization’s functional-area expert in environmental compliance and hazardous waste management. The role develops, leads, and continually advances enterprise environmental programs, systems, policies, standards and governance frameworks that support compliance with applicable local, state, and federal regulations while championing Neurocrine's strategic business objectives. Operating independently, this role partners across Research & Development, Operations, Facilities, Corporate Functions, and external regulatory agencies to anticipate environmental risks, interpret emerging regulatory and industry trends, and develop scalable, enterprise-level solutions. The Sr Principal Specialist, Environmental Management leads high-impact, complex environmental initiatives, advises senior leaders on complex regulatory and risk matters, influences environmental strategy and resource decisions, and serves as the organization’s primary technical authority for environmental management. The role also develops environmental standards, tools, training frameworks, and knowledge requirements; represents Neurocrine in interactions with regulatory agencies and external technical partners; and mentors colleagues to strengthen environmental capability and consistency across the organization.

Requirements

• BS/BA degree in a environmental science, environmental engineering, chemistry, biology, occupational health and safety, or a related discipline and 8+ years of relevant experience in the environmental health and safety field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience/training may be considered OR Master's degree in a related discipline and 6+ years of relevant experience.
• HAZWOPER 40-hour certification, DOT hazardous materials certification, and IATA dangerous goods certification preferred or ability to obtain applicable certifications within 90 days of hire.
• Experience in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, research, laboratory, manufacturing, or another highly regulated environment strongly preferred.
• Deep expertise in applicable federal, state, and local environmental regulations and standards, including hazardous waste management, hazardous materials handling, environmental permitting, and compliance reporting.
• Demonstrated Subject Matter Expertise leading environmental compliance programs within research, laboratory, manufacturing, and/or biotechnology environments.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret complex and evolving regulations, enforcement expectations, permits, and technical guidance; assess business impact; and translate requirements into scalable policies, standards, controls, and training.
• Proven ability to independently lead multiple complex, cross-functional programs and priorities with significant regulatory risk, resource requirements, and organizational visibility.
• Demonstrated ability to identify systemic and emerging environmental risks, evaluate enterprise impacts, and influence senior stakeholders to implement effective corrective, preventive and strategic solutions.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex environmental and compliance data, identify material trends and risk indicators, and present actionable recommendations to senior leadership and external stakeholders.
• Proficiency with environmental management, regulatory reporting, data analytics, and compliance tracking systems; ability to establish metrics and tools that support governance and leadership decision-making.
• Extensive experience developing and governing hazardous waste management programs, including waste characterization, storage, contingency planning, shipping, vendor oversight, and regulatory documentation.
• Proven experience leading complex environmental permitting, agency interaction, inspection readiness, and compliance governance programs across multiple operations or sites.
• Advanced written, verbal, presentation, consultation, and influencing skills, with demonstrated ability to communicate complex technical and regulatory matters to executive, regulatory, and cross-functional audiences.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to drive company vehicles.
• Demonstrates broad business and functional expertise and applies an understanding of Neurocrine's business objectives, operations and risk profile to shape environmental priorities and solutions.
• Anticipates regulatory, industry, and business trends and translates them into practical recommendations, standards, tools, and program improvements.
• Applies advanced analytical thinking and sound judgment to significant, complex, and ambiguous issues involving regulatory, operational, financial, and reputational considerations.
• Operates independently and exercises substantial latitude in determining methods, approaches, and solutions for new or special assignments.
• Communicates complex technical concepts clearly and persuasively to senior leaders, regulatory agencies, technical audiences, and nontechnical stakeholders.
• Influences decisions across functions by anticipating objections, presenting risk-based options, and building alignment around enterprise solutions.
• Adapts to changing priorities and business needs while maintaining a high level of quality and customer service.
• Leads large and multiple cross-functional initiatives with high complexity, risk, and organizational impact.
• Develops standards, governance practices, tools, and knowledge requirements that improve consistency and effectiveness across the organization.
• Balances detailed technical analysis with a broad understanding of upstream, downstream, and long-term organizational impact.

Nice To Haves

• ISO 14001 Environmental Management System experience

Responsibilities

• Interpret complex and evolving environmental regulations and industry standards and translate them into practical, scalable business solutions that protect people and the environment.
• Independently advise site leadership, senior stakeholders, and cross-functional teams on environmental compliance, hazardous materials, waste management, radiation safety, and process risk, applying advanced judgment to resolve significant and non-routine compliance challenges.
• Develop and lead environmental permitting strategy and compliance governance across applicable sites, anticipating regulatory changes, assessing enterprise impact, and establishing consistent standards and scalable permitting practices across the organization.
• Serve as the organization’s technical authority for environmental compliance and environmental management systems, advising senior leaders, project teams and cross-functional stakeholders on regulatory strategy, enterprise risk mitigation and environmental program implementation.
• Lead enterprise environmental compliance assessments, risk evaluations and trend analyses to identify systemic issues, assess upstream and downstream impacts, and recommend corrective, preventive and strategic improvements.
• Lead the development of and technical review of product or project-specific Environmental Safety Plans for complex or high-impact programs and projects.
• Lead the interpretation and application of local, state, and federal environmental safety standards and regulations across complex programs and operations.
• Identify emerging risks and compliance gaps, align stakeholders on appropriate solutions, and drive implementation of sustainable corrective and preventive actions.
• Develop and govern the enterprise Environmental Safety Training program including strategy, standards, curricula, and knowledge requirements.
• Lead delivery of high-risk, complex, or leadership-level training and enable consistent implementation through appropriate internal partners.
• Provide technical leadership for significant environmental incidents and regulatory events, directing complex investigations, root-cause analyses, regulatory response strategies and enterprise corrective and preventive actions to reduce recurrence and organizational risk.
• Build and leverage strong partnerships with senior leaders across Operations, Facilities, Research, Engineering, Procurement, Quality and Legal, and other functions to proactively manage environmental risk and integrate environmental compliance into business planning.
• Provide environmental subject matter expertise and strategic guidance to related EHS programs where environmental, hazardous materials, waste, permitting, or regulatory considerations intersect with broader operational risk.
• Independently resolve complex environmental and regulatory challenges associated with research, development, clinical, laboratory, and operational activities, engaging functional leadership or legal counsel when matters carry significant enterprise, regulatory, or reputational risk.
• Provide environmental and regulatory expertise for chemical operations and process-safety-related activities, evaluating complex risks and recommending controls, standards, and improvements that support compliant and sustainable operations.
• Lead or provide expert review of environmental risk assessments for significant new processes, projects, technologies, and equipment, including evaluation of waste streams, permitting requirements, chemical storage, environmental controls, and long-term compliance implications.
• Drive the strategic roadmap to enable ISO 14001 Environmental Management System, establishing scalable processes and best practices adopted across multiple functions.
• Lead onsite Emergency Response Procedures, planning activities, tabletop exercises, and Operational Excellence initiatives; may facilitate designated activities in partnership with the Director, Global EH&S.
• Design and lead targeted training and coaching programs that strengthen employee understanding of Environmental Safety requirements, safe work practices and safety leadership behaviors.
• Establish and govern strategic partnerships with environmental consultants and regulatory service providers, ensuring technical quality, regulatory compliance, cost effectiveness and driving continuous improvement through vendor governance.
• Monitor and control employee exposure to radiation, chemical, and biological hazards.
• Oversees management of company personal protective equipment (PPE) and other similar programs, maintaining inventory and operation of safety equipment, including calibrating detection equipment.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to less-experienced EHS and business colleagues, strengthening organizational capability and consistent application of environmental requirements.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• retirement savings plan (with company match)
• paid vacation
• holiday and personal days
• paid caregiver/parental and medical leave
• health benefits to include medical, prescription drug, dental and vision coverage

What This Job Offers

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