Midwest Data Center Permitting Lead | Client Liaison

Westwood-Professional-Services; Sartell (MN); On-site; USD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Westwood Professional Services, Inc. seeks a Permitting Lead – Data Centers and Land Division to direct land development permitting for data center projects across the Midwest.

Reporting to the National Director, Permitting, this role serves as the primary client and agency liaison and leads environmental review and regulatory strategy. You will manage multidisciplinary teams, prepare permit applications, and drive business development with land developers, while mentoring staff and maintaining

Qualifications

• 10–15+ years of experience in federal, state, and local land development permitting and environmental studies.
• Strong knowledge of Midwest permitting regulations and NEPA/EIS processes.
• Ability to travel to stakeholder meetings and hearings.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively across multiple services and offices.

Responsibilities

• Support data center clients and projects in the Midwest.
• Coordinate land development permitting projects across data centers, residential, commercial and industrial.
• Manage and prepare federal, state, and local permit applications and facilitate approvals.
• Direct environmental review under NEPA and state programs and oversee investigations.
• Serve as the primary client and agency liaison—represent clients at hearings and meetings.
• Lead multidisciplinary project teams and manage scope, schedule, and budget.
• Drive business development with land developer clients, develop scopes and proposals.
• Build and maintain industry relationships to monitor market trends and regulatory initiatives.
• Mentor permitting and environmental staff on technical writing and approvals.
• Lead QA/QC for permitting and environmental tasks.

Skills

Regulatory navigation

Client relationship

Business development

Project leadership

Technical writing

Budgeting & invoicing

Communication skills

Team coordination

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in natural resources, policy/permitting, earth sciences, engineering, or related field

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

Westwood Professional Services, Inc. seeks a Permitting Lead – Data Centers and Land Division to direct land development permitting for data center projects across the Midwest.

Reporting to the National Director, Permitting, this role serves as the primary client and agency liaison and leads environmental review and regulatory strategy. You will manage multidisciplinary teams, prepare permit applications, and drive business development with land developers, while mentoring staff and maintaining