Principal Consultant, Impact Assessment & Regulatory Strategy

Environmental Resources Management (ERM); Canada; Hybrid; CAD 110,000 - 147,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Parental leave

Medical

Dental

Vision

Life

Disability

AD&D insurance

401(k) or RRSP/DPSP

Other applicable benefits to eligible

Job summary

Environmental Resources Management (ERM) is seeking a Principal Consultant, Impact Assessment and Regulatory Strategy to lead regulatory, environmental assessment, and permitting strategies for major capital projects across Western and Northern Canada. The role focuses on Indigenous engagement, cross‑functional leadership, and senior client advisory to drive approvals and schedule certainty.

You will mentor multidisciplinary teams, manage budgets and scopes, and help expand ERM's presence in

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in environmental sciences, environmental engineering, environmental management, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• 6+ years of experience in impact assessment, regulatory permitting, or senior environmental advisory roles.
• Familiarity with Canadian territorial, provincial, and federal impact assessment and permitting frameworks, including Yukon, British Columbia, Northwest Territories, and/or Nunavut.
• Proven ability to advise clients at the executive and project sponsor level, with a strong understanding of how regulatory outcomes affect capital decisions, schedules, and investment risk.
• Experience managing complex scopes of work, budgets, and multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong commercial judgment, proposal leadership, and client relationship management skills.
• Demonstrated experience working with Indigenous Nations and public stakeholders in regulatory contexts.
• Excellent writing, communication, organizational, time management, and team leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead impact assessment and permitting strategies for major capital projects.
• Provide senior‑level regulatory, environmental assessment, and permitting advice to clients.
• Manage complex project approvals across territorial, provincial, and federal regulatory frameworks.
• Lead Indigenous, stakeholder, and regulator engagement activities.
• Direct multidisciplinary project teams and oversee high‑quality deliverables.
• Manage project budgets, schedules, scopes, and commercial performance.
• Support proposal development, pricing strategies, and business growth initiatives.
• Strengthen client relationships and act as a trusted strategic advisor.
• Mentor and develop consulting staff while fostering a culture of excellence and collaboration.
• Support ERM's growth and leadership within Canada's regulatory and permitting market.

Skills

Impact assessment

Regulatory permitting

Regulatory strategy

Client relationship management

Indigenous engagement

Team leadership

Strategic advisory

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher in environmental sciences/engineering/management or related field

Job description

Lead the Future of Major Project Development Across Western and Northern Canada

Join ERM as a Principal Consultant, Impact Assessment and Regulatory Strategy and play a pivotal role in shaping some of Canada's most significant mining, infrastructure, and natural resource projects. Ideally based in Whitehorse, Yukon, this role offers a unique opportunity to influence project outcomes at the highest levels, guide clients through complex regulatory environments, and help deliver sustainable development solutions that balance business objectives, regulatory requirements, and community interests. Candidates located elsewhere in Canada who bring relevant experience and established relationships in the Yukon or Northern Canada will also be considered. As a senior leader within ERM's regulatory and permitting practice, you will work alongside industry-leading experts, strengthen client relationships, mentor talented professionals, and contribute to the continued growth of our business across Yukon, Western Canada, and the North.

Why This Role Matters?

Major capital projects shape communities, economies, and the future of resource development. Successfully navigating regulatory and permitting requirements requires more than technical expertise. It demands strategic thinking, trusted leadership, and the ability to unite clients, Indigenous Nations, regulators, and multidisciplinary project teams around a common path forward. In this role, you will help clients advance complex projects with confidence by developing regulatory strategies, securing critical approvals, and providing clear guidance through evolving impact assessment and permitting frameworks. Your expertise will directly influence investment decisions, project schedules, and long‑term project success while helping strengthen ERM's position as a leading advisor in regulatory and permitting services across Canada.

What Your Impact Is:

• Lead Regulatory Strategy for Major Capital Projects
• Define and lead impact assessment and permitting strategies that align regulatory requirements with client business objectives, investment timelines, and risk tolerance.
• Provide strategic guidance on regulatory approvals and environmental assessment pathways for major projects across Western and Northern Canada.
• Be a Trusted Client Advisor
• Partner with ERM Partners, Key Account Managers, and senior client decision-makers to provide clear, defensible advice on regulatory pathways, approval risks, and schedule certainty.
• Build lasting client relationships through trusted counsel and exceptional service delivery.
• Deliver Complex Approvals
• Lead the planning and execution of impact assessment applications across territorial, provincial, and federal regimes, primarily in Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and British Columbia.
• Manage regulatory engagement, information requests, Indigenous consultation activities, and stakeholder engagement processes.
• Lead Multidisciplinary Teams
• Direct integrated teams of biophysical, social, and regulatory specialists to deliver regulator‑ready submissions on time and within budget.
• Foster collaboration and accountability across diverse technical teams.
• Drive Commercial Outcomes
• Contribute to account growth, proposal development, scope definition, and pricing strategies.
• Support ERM Partners in identifying, developing, and converting new business opportunities, particularly within Yukon.
• Build ERM's Market Position
• Strengthen ERM's reputation as a trusted advisor for complex regulatory approvals through thought leadership, client excellence, and practice leadership.
• Contribute to strategic initiatives that support business growth and market expansion.
• Mentor and Lead Talent
• Coach and develop senior consultants and managers.
• Establish clear expectations and reinforce ERM's standards for technical excellence, commercial discipline, and client service.

What You'll Bring:

• Required Bachelor's degree or higher in environmental sciences, environmental engineering, environmental management, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• 6+ years of experience in impact assessment, regulatory permitting, or senior environmental advisory roles.
• Familiarity with Canadian territorial, provincial, and federal impact assessment and permitting frameworks, including Yukon, British Columbia, Northwest Territories, and/or Nunavut.
• Proven ability to advise clients at the executive and project sponsor level, with a strong understanding of how regulatory outcomes affect capital decisions, schedules, and investment risk.
• Experience managing complex scopes of work, budgets, and multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong commercial judgment, proposal leadership, and client relationship management skills.
• Demonstrated experience working with Indigenous Nations and public stakeholders in regulatory contexts.
• Excellent writing, communication, organizational, time management, and team leadership skills.
• Ability to prioritize competing demands, meet deadlines, and inspire teams in a fast‑paced environment.
• Strong commitment to safety, including following established health and safety protocols.
• Strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusiveness in the workplace.
• Driver's License Required: This position requires a valid driver's license and/or the ability to operate a vehicle due to the nature of job duties, which include frequent travel to various client locations across a large geographical area.

Preferred

• 8+ years of experience in impact assessment, regulatory permitting, or environmental advisory services.
• Experience supporting projects within Yukon.
• Experience working in British Columbia, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, or other Canadian jurisdictions.
• Experience in the mining, infrastructure, or natural resource development sectors.
• Fluency in multiple languages, including Indigenous languages and/or French.
• Demonstrated success supporting business development, account growth, and strategic client engagement.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead impact assessment and permitting strategies for major capital projects.
• Provide senior‑level regulatory, environmental assessment, and permitting advice to clients.
• Manage complex project approvals across territorial, provincial, and federal regulatory frameworks.
• Lead Indigenous, stakeholder, and regulator engagement activities.
• Direct multidisciplinary project teams and oversee high‑quality deliverables.
• Manage project budgets, schedules, scopes, and commercial performance.
• Support proposal development, pricing strategies, and business growth initiatives.
• Strengthen client relationships and act as a trusted strategic advisor.
• Mentor and develop consulting staff while fostering a culture of excellence and collaboration.
• Support ERM's growth and leadership within Canada's regulatory and permitting market.

For the Principal Consultant, Impact Assessment and Regulatory Strategy position, the anticipated annual base pay is $109,900–$147,300 (CAD). Actual pay will depend on factors such as education, experience, skills, location, performance, and business needs. In some cases, pay may fall outside this range. This role may be eligible for bonus pay (casual and fixed term/flex force employees are not bonus eligible).

• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life
• Disability
• AD&D insurance
• 401(k) or RRSP/DPSP
• Other applicable benefits to eligible employees

Note:Bonuses, commissions, and other forms of additional compensation are not guaranteed and subject to the sole discretion of ERM and its policies and procedures.

Who We Are

As the largest global pure play sustainability consultancy, we partner with the world’s leading organizations, creating innovative solutions to sustainability challenges and unlocking commercial opportunities that meet the needs of today while preserving opportunity for future generations.

At ERM we know that creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive work environment is an essential part of making our company a great place to build a career. We also see our diversity as a strength that helps us create better solutions for our clients. Our diverse team of world‑class experts supports clients across the breadth of their organizations to operationalize sustainability, underpinned by our deep technical expertise in addressing their environmental, health, safety, risk and social issues. We call this capability our “boots to boardroom” approach for its comprehensive service model that allows ERM to develop strategic and technical solutions that advance objectives on the ground or at the executive level.

We recruit exceptional professionals with a personal and professional passion for sustainability and nurture them to even greater success as specialists. We prepare our consultants to bring integrated, innovative and sustainable solutions to our clients and provide opportunities for ongoing development across a variety of subject areas related to technical, business, and personal growth.

At ERM, effort pays off and becomes career defining work that leaves a positive imprint on our planet.

ERM welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Reasonable accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

ERM is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, Indigenous identity, or status as a protected veteran or qualified individual with a disability.

Notice Regarding Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Hiring. Our organization uses artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to assist in the recruitment process. These tools may help screen, assess, and/or evaluate applicants based on information provided in resumes, applications, and other submitted materials. All AI systems are designed to support fair and efficient hiring decisions and operate under human oversight. By submitting your application, you acknowledge and consent to the use of AI tools in evaluating your candidacy. If you have questions or need accommodations, please contact us at [e-mail].

#LI-Hybrid At ERM, sustainability is our business. We are the world’s largest advisory firm focused solely on sustainability, offering unparalleled expertise across business and finance. ERM partners with clients to operationalize sustainability at pace and scale, through our unique combination of strategic transformation and technical delivery capabilities. Our diverse global team of experts works with the world’s leading organizations to help them set clear sustainability targets, measure progress and operationalize strategy through deep implementation and business transformation. With more than 50 years of experience, our ability to integrate sustainability solutions and our depth and breadth of technical knowledge are why organizations choose to partner with us as their trusted advisor. Every one of us firmly believes in the potential to create value for our clients through an integrated approach to sustainability (because we have personally seen it and professionally achieved it). Our team members are passionate about client service. We work closely with our clients to help them operationalize their sustainability goals and meet their environmental, health and safety objectives while advancing ERM’s purpose through delivering tangible progress in what the United Nations coined The Decade of Action. Organizing our people across globally integrated communities of technical and strategic talent positions ERM to be a “boots to boardroom” leader in bringing that value creation to our clients, partners, and the world. We recruit exceptional professionals with a personal and professional passion for sustainability and nurture them to even greater success as specialists. We prepare our consultants to bring integrated, innovative and sustainable solutions to our clients and provide opportunities for ongoing development across a variety of subject areas related to technical, business, and personal growth.

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