Senior Environmental Studies Section Lead

Burns & McDonnell; Denver, Northern (CO, KY); Hybrid; USD 135,000 - 330,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO with HFWA sick leave

ESOP

401(k)

Job summary

Burns & McDonnell's Environmental Studies Section Manager in Denver leads a dynamic team to deliver environmental studies projects, align with business strategy, and uphold safety and excellence. You will direct staff, manage budgets, and collaborate with BD, PMs, and proposals to win work.

The role emphasizes senior technical leadership in environmental assessments, permitting, and compliance, with a focus on quality and client satisfaction.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies, Geology, Engineering, or a related field from an accredited program.
• Minimum 5 years of related professional experience required.
• Prior leadership and/or management experience preferred.
• Strong project management and strategic planning capabilities.
• Proven ability to lead and motivate teams while managing change effectively.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly to all levels of staff and clients.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Commitment to Burns & McDonnell’s safety culture and core values.

Responsibilities

• Provide direction, coordination, and leadership to section staff.
• Assign and review work to ensure efficient, cost-effective utilization of team members.
• Recruit, develop, train, and retain top talent to meet strategic and project needs.
• Conduct performance evaluations and foster employee engagement and growth.
• Promote Burns & McDonnell’s culture of collaboration, safety, and excellence.
• Manage the section’s financial performance, including budgets, billable goals, and profitability.
• Ensure staffing levels, workload, and assignments align with project requirements.
• Prepare and present workload and financial reports to practice or regional management.
• Achieve established performance targets and implement corrective actions when needed.
• Collaborate with business development managers, project managers, and proposal teams to secure new work.
• Support growth initiatives and implement regional and global strategies through presentations, networking, and proposal preparation.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships to promote repeat business and client satisfaction.
• Manage environmental projects from initiation to completion, including scoping, budgeting, scheduling and client communication.
• Review and approve project plans, reports, and technical deliverables for quality and regulatory compliance.
• Serve as a senior technical lead for environmental assessments, permitting and compliance programs.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary efforts between engineering, construction and environmental teams.
• Interpret and apply local, state and federal environmental laws (e.g., NEPA, Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, RCRA, CERCLA).
• Develop and oversee environmental and land use permit application plans. (preferred)
• Lead or support permitting efforts for air, water, waste, wetlands, endangered species, cultural resources, land use and construction (preferred).
• Maintain relationships with regulatory agencies and ensure compliance with all permit conditions.
• Implement and support company, global practice and regional initiatives.
• Manage change effectively while maintaining team engagement and morale.
• Interpret organizational goals and policies for staff and ensure alignment.
• Ensure compliance with all company policies, standards, and safety programs.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by management.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Strategic planning

Communication

Change management

Team motivation

MS Office

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies, Geology, Engineering, or related field

Tools

MS Office Suite

Job description

Burns & McDonnell's Environmental Studies Section Manager in Denver leads a dynamic team to deliver environmental studies projects, align with business strategy, and uphold safety and excellence. You will direct staff, manage budgets, and collaborate with BD, PMs, and proposals to win work.

The role emphasizes senior technical leadership in environmental assessments, permitting, and compliance, with a focus on quality and client satisfaction.