Strategic Permitting & Community Engagement Lead

Vervic Inc.; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Lilly in Huntsville, Alabama seeks an experienced Permitting & Communications Lead for a major greenfield pharmaceutical campus project. You will provide permitting expertise, coordinate AHJ activities, and lead community engagement while advising stakeholders and maintaining the Master Permitting Matrix.

This advisory role supports the OR/PMC model, ensuring regulatory risks are identified early and integrated into project planning with clear ownership and escalation paths.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required or preferred in a related field.
• 10+ years of permitting, regulatory affairs, or related experience.
• Experience with AHJ coordination and major capital projects preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as project SME for permitting strategy, regulatory requirements, AHJ coordination, and approvals.
• Provide permitting expertise and practical advice on requirements, sequencing, constraints, and risks.
• Develop and maintain the Master Permitting Matrix with permits, milestones, accounts, and status.
• Track permitting activities across design, construction, contractors, and consultants.
• Monitor permit milestones against the project schedule and flag delays or conflicts.
• Provide timely reporting on permitting status, risks, decisions, and mitigations to Lilly.
• Escalate AHJ or permitting issues impacting cost, schedule, or delivery.
• Coordinate meetings between project parties and AHJs while clarifying permit ownership.
• Maintain AHJ Engagement Log documenting interactions, commitments, and follow-ups.
• Develop working relationships with local authorities and explain local permitting processes.
• Review permit applications and regulatory submissions as requested by Lilly.
• Coordinate with engineering, environmental, construction, HSE, controls, commissioning, legal, communications, and others.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Communication

Facilitation

Organizational skills

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Environmental Science/Construction Management/Planning/Public Administration/Communications

Job description

Lilly in Huntsville, Alabama seeks an experienced Permitting & Communications Lead for a major greenfield pharmaceutical campus project. You will provide permitting expertise, coordinate AHJ activities, and lead community engagement while advising stakeholders and maintaining the Master Permitting Matrix.

This advisory role supports the OR/PMC model, ensuring regulatory risks are identified early and integrated into project planning with clear ownership and escalation paths.