Vice President Environmental & Land Use Planning

Rincon Consultants, Inc•Los Angeles, CA

5d•$220,000 - $250,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Vice President of Environmental and Land Use Planning provides strategic leadership for a large environmental consulting practice, overseeing multidisciplinary teams and driving business growth, operational performance, and client service excellence. The role leads complex environmental planning, regulatory compliance, sustainability, and permitting projects while fostering client relationships, expanding market presence, identifying business opportunities, and guiding proposal development, risk management, contract oversight, and long-term service-line strategy. As a senior executive leader, the Vice President mentors and develops leaders and staff, optimizes team performance, and ensures successful project delivery. The position calls for experience building practices, leading large teams, managing organizational risk, and delivering complex environmental programs in Southern California. The role also requires business development capabilities, executive presence, strategic vision, and the ability to inspire high-performing teams while supporting organizational growth and culture. The position may offer a hybrid work setup, combining office and remote work as business needs evolve. Eligible office locations include Los Angeles, Carlsbad, San Diego, Riverside, Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, Oakland, Palm Springs, Sacramento, San Jose, and Fresno. Candidates living within 50 miles of a Rincon office may be prioritized, but applicants with extensive experience supporting Southern California projects and teams are encouraged to apply. This full-time position has a base salary range of $220,000–$250,000, plus a bonus and benefits program. The company describes its Total Rewards Package as including health coverage options, employer-sponsored insurance, retirement benefits, generous time off, and programs supporting learning, growth, and community engagement. Employment is conditional on successful completion of pre-employment drug screening. Employees assigned to federal projects may be subject to additional drug testing.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Science, Biology, Ecology, Planning, or a related field.
20 or more years of senior-level experience in consulting, project delivery, and business development in Southern California.
Demonstrated ability to lead complex multidisciplinary projects, navigate regulatory frameworks, and deliver strategic client solutions.
Deep experience with CEQA environmental review documentation and land use planning across a wide variety of project types.
Proven ability to build long-term client relationships and secure repeat business.
Strong business acumen, including expertise in budgeting, forecasting, and resource allocation.
Exceptional communication and presentation skills.
Proficiency in digital project management tools.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree or other advanced degree.

Responsibilities

Review and optimize the practice group's organizational structure, assess and manage program risks, develop team strategy, and build leadership capacity and succession plans.
Recruit, develop, and retain talent while fostering a high-performance, collaborative culture and supporting employee growth and retention.
Mentor senior staff in business strategy, technical leadership, and client management.
Shape and lead statewide strategies for planning services and energy and utility services, identifying growth opportunities and areas of market risk.
Cultivate and sustain relationships with new and strategically important clients, including major California utilities, and help others develop business relationships.
Collaborate across service lines to deliver integrated solutions for development and infrastructure projects.
Lead business development, including opportunity identification, proposal strategy, and industry representation.
Guide operational strategy and achievement of business metrics for environmental and land use planning.
Oversee client program portfolios to ensure technical excellence, regulatory compliance, and on-time, on-budget delivery.
Ensure appropriate QA/QC review of technical studies, environmental documentation, and regulatory filings.
Improve processes and service delivery, build systems and best practices, create efficiencies, and solve organizational problems.
Interpret new or revised environmental laws and policies, identify strategies for environmental services, and collaborate with the Legal Department on regulatory and case law training.
Integrate planning, client capture, staffing, support, and development of large, long-term, technically diverse programs across subgroups, service lines, and regions.
Oversee implementation of best practices for utilization, WIP, and AR management, including accurate backlog and revenue projections.
Communicate key messages effectively to team leadership and team members.
Ensure adherence to safety, cybersecurity, contract, and human resources protocols.
Review contracts for potential liability issues and exercise contract signatory authority under company bylaws.
Work with clients to manage cash flow, prevent payment and billing delays, and minimize WIP and AR exposure.