Environmental Studies Department Manager - Environmental Services

Burns & McDonnell; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Burns & McDonnell in Houston, TX, seeks an Environmental Studies Department Manager to lead the Environmental Studies Business Line in the South Central Region. You will drive strategy, growth, staff, client relationships, and project delivery across the SCR and nationally, aligning with company values of client satisfaction and safety.

You will oversee diverse projects, ensure quality and profitability, mentor staff, and collaborate with leadership to grow the practice while maintaining high

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, engineering, or related field from an accredited program.
• 10+ years of related experience in environmental studies, project management, and licensing/permitting preferred.
• Strong knowledge of NEPA and FERC projects across utilities, renewables, transportation, or oil/gas/chemicals.
• Proven leadership, strategic planning, and client relationship skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication, with ability to present complex info clearly.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a long-term strategy for the Environmental Studies Business Line in the SCR.
• Lead growth, monitor sales, revenue, profitability, and staffing goals.
• Serve as account manager for key clients and guide delivery teams.
• Identify target clients, lead proposals, budgets, and cost estimates.
• Oversee project delivery to meet quality, schedule, and cost targets.
• Provide senior-level technical advice on environmental studies and deliverables.
• Set department objectives, assign work, and review performance.
• Attract, hire, and develop staff; mentor and lead organizational change.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Client relations

Project management

Communication

Mentoring

MS Office

Education

Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, engineering, or related field

Advanced degree or professional license preferred

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Description

The Environmental Studies Department Manager leads the Environmental Studies Business Line within Environmental Services (ENS) in the South Central Region (SCR), which includes Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Arkansas. Reporting to the Regional Environmental Global Practice Manager, this role is accountable for the business line’s strategy, growth, staff, client relationships, and project delivery in the region. The manager will work with Burns & McDonnell leadership to grow the practice across the SCR and nationally, serving public- and private-sector clients. The role builds on the existing team and advances profitable growth consistent with the company’s core values of client satisfaction, commitment, dedication, integrity, safety, and outstanding service.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the Environmental Studies Business Line’s long-term strategy across the SCR, including operating procedures and marketing, pricing, sales, and client-retention strategies; coordinate with regional and national plans.

• Lead growth and performance against established sales, revenue, net income, profitability, and staffing goals. Manage project performance to support strong profitability.

• Serve as account manager for key clients. Develop client service and relationship plans, cultivate relationships within target organizations, and guide other account managers and coordinators who lead day-to-day service delivery and client satisfaction.

• Identify target clients and key pursuits; lead sales and marketing efforts and development of cost proposals and qualifications; prepare and present project budgets and cost estimates.

• Oversee project delivery to meet or exceed client expectations and internal requirements for quality, schedule, budget, labor and cost control, profitability, safety, and client satisfaction.

• Provide senior-level technical advice, input, and evaluation on environmental studies and deliverables; promote technical excellence and innovation.

• Set departmental objectives and requirements; organize projects and develop standards and guidelines. Assign work and review performance to support efficient, cost-effective use of staff.

• Attract, hire, develop, and retain staff; support mentorship and lead organizational change.

• Ensure adherence to the Burns & McDonnell Quality Control program and QA/QC processes, the company Safety program, and applicable company and site safety policies.

• Build effective working relationships with clients, customers, contractors, and other disciplines, and coordinate effectively across teams.

• Monitor technology and industry trends relevant to Environmental Studies services and market sectors, and advise staff on aligning services with those trends.

• Use creativity, foresight, and sound judgment to anticipate and resolve problems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, engineering, or a related field from an accredited program.

• At least 7 years of related professional experience in routing, state licensing and permitting, environmental studies, and/or project management. 10 years preferred.

• Detailed knowledge of and practical experience with NEPA and FERC projects in one or more of these market sectors: utilities, renewables, transportation, or oil, gas, and chemicals.

• Strong project management skills and a strategic perspective.

• Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to present complex information clearly to employees, management, and clients.

• Ability to positively influence others, lead, and manage change.

• Proficiency with standard business software, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous management experience.

• An advanced degree and/or professional license.

• This position requires approximately 25% travel.

This job posting will remain open a minimum of 72 hours and on an ongoing basis until filled.

EEO/Disabled/Veterans

Primary Location: US-TX-Houston

Other Locations: US-TX-San Antonio, US-TX-Austin, US-TX-Dallas

Schedule: Full-time

Travel: 25 % of the Time