Project Manager - Permitting

Metro Consulting Associates, LLC; Plymouth (MI); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Metro Consulting Associates, LLC in Plymouth, Michigan is seeking a Permitting Project Manager responsible for managing the technical, financial, and schedule-related aspects of permitting-focused projects. This role involves strong client management and communication skills.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field, experience managing projects and permits, and the ability to liaise effectively with various stakeholders.

A collaborative approach and strong attention to detail are essential, along with a willingness to travel to project sites.

Qualifications

• 6–8 years of applicable industry experience, including permitting and regulatory coordination.
• 2 years of project management experience with budgets and schedules.
• Professional licensure (PE, PS, etc.) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage the technical, financial, and schedule-related aspects of projects.
• Coordinate with clients, permitting jurisdictions, and internal staff.
• Develop and manage permitting scopes, budgets, and schedules.

Skills

Project management

Permitting coordination

Communication skills

Problem-solving

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or related field

Job description

Description

The Permitting Project Manager is responsible for managing the technical, financial, and schedule-related aspects of permitting-focused projects by representing the firm in communications with clients, permitting jurisdictions, consultants, and internal staff.

Client Management/Marketing Duties & Responsibilities

• Coordinating staff and serving as the primary contact with clients.
• Leading early permitting due diligence and entitlement strategy to identify risks, approvals, and agency requirements.
• Coordinating with clients to communicate permitting status, risks, timelines, and required actions.
• Maintaining strong working relationships with local, county, state, and federal permitting agencies.
• Supporting Business Development and Marketing teams by providing permitting insight during pursuit and proposal development, including schedule and risk input.

Project/Technical Duties & Responsibilities

• Establishing and managing overall permitting strategy for projects, including sequencing, dependencies, and agency coordination.
• Overseeing preparation, review, and submission of permit applications, supporting documents, plans, and exhibits.
• Coordinating plan reviews with Engineering, Survey, Environmental, and Construction teams to ensure permit compliance.
• Leading meetings and calls with permitting agencies and facilitating resolution of review comments.
• Tracking permit status, approvals, conditions, and expiration dates; ensuring permit conditions are clearly communicated to project teams and clients.
• Managing permit modifications, revisions, and amendments as required.
• Ensuring permitting requirements are integrated into project schedules and construction sequencing.
• Promoting internal communication and cross-discipline coordination related to permitting requirements.

Financial Duties & Responsibilities

• Developing and managing permitting scopes, budgets, and schedules for assigned projects.
• Monitoring permitting-related labor, consultant costs, and agency fees; analyzing variances and initiating corrective actions as needed.
• Assisting with change management related to permitting scope changes, delays, or agency requirements.
• Supporting invoice review and permitting-related billing, as necessary.
• Providing regular status updates to clients and leadership regarding permitting progress, risks, and schedule impacts.

Employee Management Duties & Responsibilities

• Providing leadership, direction, and mentorship to permitting staff and project teams.
• Allocating permitting workload to ensure efficient use of staff resources.
• Participating in hiring, onboarding, training, and development of permitting personnel.
• Supporting performance management, coaching, and professional development for assigned team members.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental, Ecological, Land Planning, Survey, GIS, or closely related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Minimum 6–8 years of applicable industry experience, including significant experience with permitting and regulatory coordination.
• Minimum 2 years of project management experience, including budgets, schedules, and scope management.
• Professional licensure (e.g., PE, PS, RLA, AICP, CPG, SR/WA) preferred.
• Strong understanding of permitting processes for municipal, transportation, utility, land development, and infrastructure projects.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to communicate regulatory requirements clearly.
• Exceptional organization, attention to detail, and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with technical and non-technical personnel.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel to project sites and client locations as required.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

• Office setting
• Approximately 10% travel, including visits to project sites, permitting agencies, and client locations
• Regularly required to sit