Permit Operations Lead (Midwest Remote)

PermitFlow; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Health coverage (medical, dental, vis

401(k)

Unlimited PTO

Home office stipend

Lunch provided

Commuter benefits

Job summary

PermitFlow is seeking a customer-focused Permitting Specialist to manage the end-to-end permit lifecycle for midwestern projects. You will act as the face of PermitFlow to customers, guiding them from software adoption through full implementation, while collaborating with cross-functional teams.

You will mentor junior staff, monitor permit progress, and drive process improvements to accelerate approvals and ensure compliance with jurisdictional requirements.

Qualifications

• Customer-focused with strong relationships and stakeholder management.
• Extensive hands-on experience in construction permitting and lifecycle.
• Proven ability to collaborate across functions and mentor others.
• Data-driven with ability to interpret data to improve processes.
• Comfort with AI tools and rapid adoption of new software features.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary customer point of contact, updating on permit status and requirements.
• Provide training, coaching, and direction to junior team members and oversee their work.
• Oversee end-to-end permit applications, researching requirements, preparing forms, and submitting to authorities.
• Produce detailed reports on permit progress and provide updates to customers and stakeholders.
• Identify and implement process improvements to streamline workflows and reduce bottlenecks.
• Ensure all permit applications are complete, accurate, and compliant with applicable standards.
• Track permit statuses and engage with authorities to expedite approvals.

Skills

Customer-Centric

Construction Permitting Expert

Team Player

Analytical Thinker

Tech-Forward & Adaptable

Job description

PermitFlow is redefining how America builds. We’re an applied AI company serving the nation’s builders, tackling one of the largest information challenges in the economy: understanding what can be built, where, and how. Our AI agent workforce helps the fastest-growing construction companies navigate everything from permitting and licensing to inspections and project closeouts – accelerating housing, clean-energy, and infrastructure development across the country.

Despite being a $1.6T industry, construction still suffers from massive delays, wasted capital, and lost opportunity. PermitFlow has already delivered unprecedented speed, accuracy, and visibility to over $20B in development, helping contractors reduce compliance time, de-risk projects, and scale with confidence.

As the U.S. enters a new capex supercycle across data centers, factories, housing, and renewables, joining PermitFlow means building the AI infrastructure at the core of every construction project driving the next wave of reindustrialization.

We’ve raised over $90M, most recently completing our Series B, from top-tier investors including Accel, Kleiner Perkins, Initialized, Y Combinator, Felicis, and Altos Ventures, with backing from leaders at OpenAI, Google, Procore, ServiceTitan, Zillow, PlanGrid, and Uber.

Who You Are

• Customer-Centric: You excel at building and maintaining strong customer relationships, understanding each customer’s unique needs, and identifying how PermitFlow can support their success and growth. You are comfortable and thrive at connecting with customers virtually – spearheading meetings and serving as the face of PermitFlow in all your interactions.

• Construction Permitting Expert: You have extensive hands-on experience in construction or construction permitting directly, with a thorough understanding of regulations, compliance, and the full permit lifecycle. You’re excited about this space and the construction industry at large.

• Team Player: You’re a key contributor to the pilot process, ensuring a seamless customer journey from software adoption to full implementation. Collaboration is your strength, and you thrive in a cross-functional environment.

• Analytical Thinker: You’re data-driven in your decision-making. You know how to gather, interpret, and leverage data to enhance customer conversations and improve processes.

• Tech-Forward & Adaptable: You’re comfortable leveraging AI tools and emerging technologies to improve workflows and customer outcomes. You’re eager to learn and implement new software features, and you adapt quickly — ready and able to pivot to new processes at a moment’s notice.

What You’ll Do

• Customer Point of Contact: Serve as the primary resource for customers, keeping them informed on permit status, timelines, and requirements.

• Team Development: You are comfortable providing clear training, coaching, feedback, and direction to junior team members and oversee their work. You have the skillset to effectively manage a team, hold 1:1s with them, and empower them to learn more.

• Manage the Permit Process: Oversee the end-to-end lifecycle of permit applications, including researching requirements, preparing forms, gathering documentation, and submitting applications to the relevant authorities.

• Generate Reports: Produce detailed reports on permit progress, delivering regular, clear updates to customers and stakeholders.

• Optimize Processes: Continuously identify opportunities for improvement, implementing best practices that streamline workflows, reduce bottlenecks, and enhance operational efficiency.

• Ensure Compliance and Accuracy: Guarantee that all permit applications are complete, accurate, and compliant with jurisdictional standards and requirements.

• Monitor and Expedite Approvals: Track permit statuses proactively, engaging with authorities to move applications forward as efficiently as possible.

Qualifications & Fit

• 3-5+ years of relevant experience: Proven track record in construction permitting, project management, or a similar role—ideally within a SaaS or tech-driven environment.

• Local Permitting Knowledge: Hands-on, working knowledge of the permitting landscape across the Midwest, with priority given to candidates deeply familiar with Minnesota, Michigan, Iowa, and Wisconsin specifically, plus general familiarity with permitting practices across other Midwest states.

• Established Municipal Relationships: Existing relationships with municipalities and inspectors in these states — someone who brings local trust and rapport on day one rather than having to build it from scratch.

• Regional Escalation Point: Comfortable acting as the on-the-ground point of escalation when local jurisdictions push back on remote or third-­party submissions.

• Expediter Unblocking: Demonstrated ability to identify and unblock restrictions that municipalities place specifically on third-­party permit expediters, and a track record of working through (or around) those restrictions to keep permits moving.

• Exceptional project management skills: Ability to balance multiple projects and deadlines without sacrificing attention to detail.

• Outstanding communication: Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work cross‑functional, manage customer relationships, and collaborate with AHJs.

• Leadership experience: Preferred 2+ years leading, managing, and mentoring teams, including coaching, performance management, and team development.

What We Offer (Full Time Roles Only)

• Competitive salary and meaningful equity in a high-growth company

• 100% company-paid base medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees + healthcare FSA

• 401(k) savings plan

• Unlimited PTO and paid family leave

• Home office & equipment stipend

• Daily in-office lunch and dinner provided

• Commuter benefits (pre-tax transit and parking)

PermitFlow provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetics, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or family status, as protected by applicable law.

We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce and welcome people from all backgrounds, experiences, perspectives, and abilities. All employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and business needs.