Senior Principal Practice Leader - Permitting and Planning

Geosyntec Consultants, Inc.; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Geosyntec Consultants, Inc. invites a Senior Principal Practice Leader to Austin or Houston to guide permitting and planning for energy projects.

You will lead client development, regulatory compliance, and strategic planning across the energy sector, shaping projects from concept through construction. The role requires entrepreneurial leadership, deep technical expertise, and the ability to manage multidisciplinary teams, mentor staff, and drive business growth while maintaining client

Qualifications

• At least 15 years of experience developing capital projects related to planning, permitting, and regulatory compliance.
• Experience managing permitting, planning, compliance and environmental oversight of energy infrastructure projects.
• Experience with multi-disciplinary project teams and project delivery management.
• Experience with public witness testimony and contract negotiations (preferred).
• Strong leadership, communication, and client development capabilities.
• Willingness to travel as needed and to work in a fast-paced consulting environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead business development to build/maintain client relationships and lead proposals.
• Serve as a siting and environmental permitting subject matter expert.
• Coordinate with clients on public involvement programs and host open houses/public meetings.
• Manage routing/siting studies, analyses, and associated reports.
• Oversee project delivery including planning, controls, and financial management.
• Develop and mentor a growing practice team and collaborate across multi-disciplinary groups.

Skills

Leadership

Client management

Project management

Regulatory compliance

Environmental permitting

Energy infrastructure

Business development

Communication

Mentoring

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor's degree in environmental science/engineering/biology or related field

Advanced degree in the same

Professional registration (P.E./P.G.)

Job description

Senior Principal Practice Leader - Permitting and Planning

Primary Location: US-TX-Austin

Additional Location: US-TX-Houston

Position Type: Regular Full-Time

Remote: No

ID: 2026-4996

Category: Environmental Management

Geosyntec has an exciting opportunity for a Senior Principal Practice Leader - Permitting & Planning in our Austin or Houston, Texas office. The position will expand our existing growing practice, manage client development, environmental regulatory compliance, and environmental and community strategic planning and support for clients primarily within the Energy and Energy Transition Sector. This position is well-suited for a talented, highly experienced individual who is interested in being a leader and contributing to innovative and challenging projects, including the financial and technical evaluation, design, permitting, and construction stages. You must have an entrepreneurial attitude, enthusiasm for supporting business development, and a technical background which will expand Geosyntec's market share.

Geosyntec is an innovative, international engineering and consulting firm serving private and public-sector clients to address new ventures and complex problems involving our environment, natural resources, and infrastructure. Our engineers, scientists, planners, technical and project employees serve our clients from offices across the world. Ranked by ENR as one of the top environmental engineering design firms, Geosyntec is internationally known for its technical leadership, broad experience, and exceptional client service.

We invest in our people. Each employee is unique, and your career at Geosyntec will be too. We offer competitive pay and benefits, and well-being programs to support you and your family.

To Learn More Visit: http://www.geosyntec.com/careers/.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Collaboration and mentorship are cornerstones of Geosyntec's culture. We operate within a sell-manage-do culture so we expect that you'd work on challenging technical projects while leveraging your existing knowledge and experience to help Geosyntec expand its current practices and capabilities through business development and client management. You may also be asked to take on project management responsibilities, along with staff management and development, and mentoring tasks.

Some key responsibilities may include:

• Lead business development efforts to develop/maintain client relationships and lead proposal preparation.
• Serve as a siting and environmental permitting subject matter expert.
• Work with clients for public involvement programs; attend and participate in open houses, public meetings, and public hearings.
• Managing and directing routing/siting studies, analyses, and associated reports.
• Managing the overall delivery of projects including project planning and controls, financial management, change management, risk management, and contract/subcontract management.
• Develop a team to support the growth of the practice.
• Work collaboratively across the firm with multi-disciplinary teams which could include engineers, attorneys, planners, permitting and environmental specialists, and real estate experts; and
• Mentor staff to support their growth and professional development.
• Drive personal, company, and rental vehicles to client or company project or office sites, and other business locations, as needed.

Education and Licensure

• Bachelor's degree in environmental science, environmental engineering, biology or a related field. (required)
• Advanced degree in the same. (preferred)
• Professional registration (i.e., P.E. P.G.). (preferred)

Skills, Experience and Qualifications

• At least 15 years of experience developing capital projects related to the planning, permitting, and regulatory compliance for the project lifecycle; or equivalent combination of education and experience. (required)
• Experience in managing permitting, planning, compliance and environmental oversight of energy infrastructure projects. (required)
• Experience managing the overall delivery of projects including project planning and controls, financial management, change management, risk management, and contract/subcontract management. (required)
• Experience with multi-disciplinary project teams. (required)
• Experience with public witness testimony and contract negotiations (preferred)
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills, strong written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated success in the development and management of clients. (preferred)
• Excellent leadership skills. (required)
• Ability to succeed in a fast-paced consulting environment, handling multiple project assignments, meeting strict deadlines, and traveling to client facilities as needed. (required)
• Current OSHA 40-hr HAZWOPER training and refreshers. (preferred)
• Health & Safety training, medical monitoring, and client-driven drug and background testing may be required.
• Valid U.S. driver's license and a satisfactory driving record for business travel. (required)