Regional Director

Alta Archaeological Consulting LLC; Sonoma (CA); On-site; USD 82,656; Full time

Job summary

A cultural resource management firm based in Sonoma, California, is seeking a Regional Director to lead and grow its regional branch. This position requires significant leadership experience and expertise in cultural resource management, alongside strong communication skills. The ideal candidate will manage clients and projects while ensuring regulatory compliance. With a focus on creating a collaborative workplace culture, the firm prides itself on its commitment to excellence and preservation. Competitive pay of $60/hour and room for growth are offered.

Qualifications

• 15-20 years of experience in cultural resource management or related fields.
• Demonstrated leadership experience managing teams, projects, and budgets.
• Strong knowledge of CEQA, NEPA, NHPA, and CRM best practices.

Responsibilities

• Provide operational, financial, and personnel leadership for the regional branch.
• Coordinate with Central Support Office on budgeting and strategies.
• Cultivate relationships with clients, agencies, and tribal groups.

Skills

Cultural resource management

Leadership

Project management

Communication

Negotiation skills

Education

Advanced degree in Anthropology or Archaeology

Job description

PAY: +$60 / hour. Offers made will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Company Overview

Alta Archaeological Consulting (ALTA), a Woman-Owned Small Business established in 2012, is based in Sonoma County, California. ALTA currently has three Regional Offices: Bay Area, North Valley, and Southern CA. Specializing in cultural resource management and historic preservation, we cater to a diverse clientele while delivering professional services. Our expertise lies in producing high-quality, technically sound reports that adhere to regulatory standards, assisting in environmental assessments, and streamlining permitting processes. Our team, comprised of seasoned professionals, excels in navigating the complexities of historic preservation and environmental regulations. This team includes subject matter experts such as human osteologists, forensic anthropologists, ground-penetrating radar specialists, geoarchaeologists, architectural historians, and ethnographers, all bringing years of valuable experience to our operations.

ALTA is expanding, with offices strategically located in California, we are well-positioned to offer efficient, cost-effective services throughout the state. Our team boasts a wealth of local experience and regional expertise, alongside strong, collaborative relationships with local tribal groups and governmental bodies.

Our goal is to create a welcoming, safe, and professional workplace. We aim to cultivate camaraderie and academic curiosity through collaborative engagement in a range of professional, academic, and intellectual activities. Together, we aspire to develop and nurture this remarkable company to build an organization that we are all proud to be a part of.

Position Overview

• Position Title: Regional Director
• Reports To: Chief Operations Officer (COO)
• Works Closely With: Central Support Office (Finance, Compliance, Business Development, Systems)
• Department: [Bay Area CA / North Valley CA / Southern CA]
• Location: [Office/Remote/Hybrid/Field as needed]

Position Summary

The Regional Director (RD) is responsible for the overall leadership, performance, and strategic growth of their assigned Regional Branch (RB) of Alta Archaeological Consulting LLC (ALTA / Central Support Office). This role provides operational, financial, and personnel leadership while ensuring compliance with all regulatory, contractual, and professional standards in cultural resource management (CRM).

The RD acts as the primary steward of ALTA’s mission, values, and reputation within their region, while coordinating closely with the Central Support Office (CSO) to ensure consistency, efficiency, and scalability across the organization.

Core Responsibilities

1. Regional Leadership & Strategy

• Lead the regional department in alignment with ALTA’s mission, core values, and strategic plan
• Coordinate with the CSO to develop and implement annual regional budgets and growth strategies
• Serve as the senior decision-maker for day-to-day regional operations within delegated authority
• Represent ALTA professionally to clients, agencies, tribes, partners, and the public
• Maintain regional profit and loss (P&L) performance and financial health
• Collaborate with the CSO on budgeting, forecasting, invoicing, and financial reporting
• Monitor project performance, utilization, staffing levels, and overhead recovery
• Ensure accurate and timely use of CSO data management systems such as Ajera (timesheets, project tracking, billing)

3. Project & Technical Oversight

• Provide senior oversight for CRM projects, including surveys, monitoring, testing, data recovery, and reporting
• Ensure projects meet quality standards, schedules, and budgets
• Support Principal Investigators and Project Managers with resourcing, escalation, and problem-solving
• Fulfill Principal Investigator duties when needed to keep the Regional Branch projects within contract
• Ensure compliance with CEQA, NEPA, NHPA, Section 106/110, and applicable state and local regulations

4. Business Development & Client Relations

• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with key clients, agencies, tribes, and partners
• Support proposal development, scopes of work, and fee strategies in coordination with CSO Business Development department
• Identify new market opportunities and strategic partnerships within the region
• Participate in industry events, professional organizations, and community outreach
• Recruit, develop, mentor, and retain high-performing staff
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and safety-focused workplace culture
• Conduct performance reviews and support professional development plans
• Coordinate with the CSO on HR, payroll, benefits, and safety compliance

6. Governance, Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure regional compliance with company policies, SOPs, contracts, and legal requirements
• Escalate issues appropriately according to ALTA’s Governance Charter
• Support audits, insurance requirements, and regulatory reviews
• Uphold ethical standards and professional responsibility in all work

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 15-20 years of experience in cultural resource management or related fields
• Demonstrated leadership experience managing teams, projects, and budgets
• Strong working knowledge of CEQA, NEPA, NHPA, and CRM best practices
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills
• Ability to lead by example, uphold ALTA’s policies, and foster a positive working environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Anthropology, Archaeology, Historic Preservation, or related field
• Secretary of the Interior qualifications, RPA, or equivalent
• Experience in California CRM markets and agency processes
• Experience working with tribal governments, outreach, and consultation processes
• Prior Profit and Loss or office-level management responsibility
• Strategic thinking and execution
• Financial acumen and accountability
• People leadership and mentorship
• Client and stakeholder relationship management
• Risk management and sound judgment
• Alignment with ALTA’s values of excellence, collaboration, efficiency, and preservation

Why This Role Matters at ALTA

The Regional Director is a cornerstone role in ALTA’s multi-regional branch model—balancing regional autonomy with Central Support Office coordination. This position directly shapes regional culture, client satisfaction, and long-term value.