Consulting Director, Power, Energy & Regulatory Advisory

ERM; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 145,000 - 184,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Parental leave

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Life/Disability insurance

401(k) or RRSP/DPSP

Job summary

ERM is seeking a Consulting Director, Power, Energy & Regulatory Advisory in California to lead environmental permitting for major capital projects, including renewables and transmission. You will shape regulatory strategies, engage with agencies like the CPUC and USFWS, and drive growth through existing contracts with utility clients.

You will mentor high-performing teams, contribute to ERM’s global leadership, and have eligibility for Partner Path after your first year.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of consulting experience in California’s electric/gas transmission and generation markets.
• Proven success in leading CEQA/NEPA permitting and environmental impact assessments.
• Established relationships with California utility companies with the ability to leverage existing contract agreements to unlock new project opportunities.
• Experience with CPUC General Order 131-E and CEQA best practices.
• Business acumen and strategic selling capabilities.
• Leadership skills with a passion for mentoring and team development.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a senior technical expert for CEQA/NEPA assessments and natural resource permitting.
• Oversee preparation of EIRs, Mitigated Negative Declarations, and technical studies.
• Lead permit strategy development and application processes with state and federal agencies.
• Manage compliance for linear infrastructure projects, including telecom and energy.
• Collaborate with Account Directors to expand ERM’s footprint and deliver enterprise-wide solutions.
• Mentor staff consultants, identify emerging talent, and support career development.
• Innovate within ERM’s Impact Assessment and Planning services to stay ahead of market needs.
• Ensure excellence in health & safety, financial performance, client satisfaction, and risk management.

Skills

CEQA/NEPA permitting

Regulatory strategy

California utility relationships

CPUC GO 131-E experience

Leadership & strategic selling

Education

Bachelor’s degree in biology/environmental science/related

Master’s degree (preferred) in related field

Job description

Are you ready to lead transformative environmental projects that power communities and drive sustainable innovation? ERM is seeking a visionary Consulting Director, Power, Energy & Regulatory Advisory to join our high-growth Capital Project Delivery team. This is more than a job—it's a leadership opportunity to influence the future of renewable energy and infrastructure development across California.

Why This Role Matters

ERM’s Capital Project Delivery (CPD) service is our fastest-growing global offering, expanding over 20% annually. With more than 1,000 professionals worldwide, our CPD team is known for tackling the toughest environmental challenges in power, technology, telecom, mining, and infrastructure sectors.

This role is pivotal in advancing ERM’s reputation and capabilities in California’s electric/gas transmission and renewable energy markets. You’ll be at the forefront of environmental permitting, regulatory strategy, and stakeholder engagement—helping clients achieve project success while protecting natural and cultural resources.

What Your Impact Is

• Lead environmental permitting and CEQA/NEPA efforts for major capital projects, including renewable energy, transmission, and data centers.
• Shape regulatory strategies and negotiate with key agencies such as the California Coastal Commission, USFWS, and CPUC.
• Drive business growth through strategic client relationships, leveraging existing contracts with California public utilities.
• Mentor and develop high-performing teams, fostering a culture of excellence and innovation.
• Contribute to ERM’s global leadership community, with potential eligibility for our Partner Path after your first year.

Required

What You’ll Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, environmental science, or related field. Or equivalent experience.
• 8+ years of consulting experience in California’s electric/gas transmission and generation markets.
• Proven success in leading CEQA/NEPA permitting and environmental impact assessments.
• Established relationships with California utility companies with the ability to leverage existing contract agreements to unlock new project opportunities.
• Experience with CPUC General Order 131-E and CEQA best practices.
• Business acumen and strategic selling capabilities.
• Leadership skills with a passion for mentoring and team development.

Preferred

• Master’s degree in biology, environmental science, or related field.
• 15+ years of consulting experience.
• Recognized technical expertise and positive reputation with key regulators.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as a senior technical expert for CEQA/NEPA assessments and natural resource permitting.
• Oversee preparation of EIRs, Mitigated Negative Declarations, and technical studies.
• Lead permit strategy development and application processes with state and federal agencies.
• Manage compliance for linear infrastructure projects, including telecom and energy.
• Collaborate with Account Directors to expand ERM’s footprint and deliver enterprise-wide solutions.
• Mentor staff consultants, identify emerging talent, and support career development.
• Innovate within ERM’s Impact Assessment and Planning services to stay ahead of market needs.
• Ensure excellence in health & safety, financial performance, client satisfaction, and risk management.

For the Consulting Director, Planner Regulatory Specialist position, the anticipated annual base pay is $145,482 – $183,509 (USD). 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).

We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including paid time off, parental leave, medical, dental, vision, life, disability, AD&D insurance, 401(k) or RRSP/DPSP, and 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.

ERM does not accept recruiting agency resumes. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias, ERM employees or any other company location. ERM is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.

ERM is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.

We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

Thank you for your interest in ERM!