Technical Consulting Director, Cultural Heritage

Environmental Resources Management (ERM); Houston (TX); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Environmental Resources Management (ERM) seeks a Consulting Director, Cultural Heritage, based in Houston, TX, to lead ERM’s North America Cultural Heritage practice within the IAP team. You will guide technical work, manage major clients in the Gulf region, and shape practice growth across North America.

The role requires a Master’s in Anthropology, RPA membership, and 8+ years of experience with NHPA/NEPA processes. Travel across the Gulf region is expected and leadership skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Anthropology or related field.
• Must meet the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Standards for Archaeology for NHPA/NEPA work.
• Member of the Register of Professional Archaeologists (RPA).
• 8+ years of related experience (15+ preferred).

Responsibilities

• Provide regional leadership for ERM's North America Cultural Heritage team and advance technical excellence.
• Lead program management and leadership for key energy-sector clients in the Gulf region.
• Oversee complex Cultural Heritage, NHPA, and NEPA compliance projects for major capital initiatives.
• Drive growth of archaeology and cultural heritage services through leadership and business development.
• Mentor multidisciplinary teams and foster collaboration across ERM practices.
• Build and maintain long-term client relationships and expand ERM’s market share.

Skills

Leadership

Client relationships

Project management

NHPA/NEPA compliance

Technical report writing

Regulatory affairs

Team mentoring

Communication skills

Business development

Education

Master's in Anthropology

Job description

Lead the Future of Cultural Heritage Consulting Across North America

ERM is seeking a Consulting Director, Cultural Heritage, based in Houston, Texas, to serve as a regional leader within our Impact Assessment and Planning (IAP) Practice, supporting projects throughout the Gulf region while helping advance best practices across North America.

Your responsibilities will encompass technical leadership, client relationship management, business growth, and talent development, allowing you to influence both project outcomes and the future direction of the practice.

Why This Role Matters

Cultural heritage considerations are increasingly critical to the successful development of energy, infrastructure, and capital projects. As a Consulting Director, you will help clients navigate complex regulatory requirements while protecting cultural resources and advancing responsible development.

What Your Impact Is

• Serve as a regional leader for ERM's North America Cultural Heritage team, sharing best practices and advancing technical excellence.
• Provide program management and leadership support for key energy‑sector clients throughout the Gulf region.
• Lead complex Cultural Heritage, NHPA, and NEPA compliance projects for major capital development initiatives.
• Drive the growth of ERM's archaeology and cultural heritage services through technical leadership and business development.
• Mentor, inspire, and develop multidisciplinary teams while fostering collaboration across ERM practices.
• Strengthen and expand client relationships, contributing to significant revenue growth and market presence.
• Represent ERM with clients, regulatory agencies, industry stakeholders, and professional organizations.

What You’ll Bring

• Master’s degree or higher in Anthropology or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Must meet the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Standards for Archaeology to perform duties for NHPA Section 106 and NEPA compliance.
• Member of the Register of Professional Archaeologists (RPA).
• 8+ years (15+ years preferred) of related experience.
• Familiarity with state and federal regulatory processes.
• Technical expertise and practical experience with environmental permitting for large‑scale capital projects.
• Required familiarity with the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
• Competency advising on State Historic Preservation Offices (SHPOs), Tribal Historic Preservation Offices (THPOs), Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), and other agency involvement.
• Excellent technical report writing skills and demonstrated authorship for Phase I, II, and III projects, including treatment plans, MOUs, resource reports, and related documentation.
• Ability to advise on artifact analysis and archaeological site NRHP recommendations, including identification of the need for additional studies.
• Demonstrated ability to carry research through to completion and strong attention to detail in documentation and technical deliverables.
• Excellent communication and computer skills.
• Demonstrated business development abilities and the ability to maintain long‑term client relationships.
• Ability to manage and work effectively both independently and within multidisciplinary teams.
• Well‑developed team‑building and influencing skills, unquestioned integrity, and the experience, confidence, and stature to effectively address client and business challenges.
• Positive outlook, collaborative approach, and commitment to the success of ERM as a global company.
• Flexibility and responsiveness in a dynamic consulting environment where project needs and schedules may evolve.
• Driver’s License Required: This position requires a valid driver’s license and/or the ability to operate a company vehicle due to frequent travel to client locations across a large geographical area.

Preferred

• Solid grasp of key impact assessment and management issues within the Power/Renewables sector.
• Experience interacting with regulatory agency personnel.
• Experience leading large multidisciplinary consulting teams and managing multiple projects simultaneously.
• Proven track record of expanding client relationships and growing market share within cultural heritage and archaeology consulting.
• Experience collaborating across multiple technical disciplines and geographic regions.

Key Responsibilities

• Program management and leadership in support of key energy‑sector clients in the Gulf region.
• Conduct research and writing for cultural heritage resource components of NHPA Section 106 and NEPA documents for private‑sector projects.
• Oversee teams conducting literature reviews, field reconnaissance, field surveys, and archaeological excavations.
• Be responsible for the technical content and quality of project deliverables.
• Interact with state and federal regulators and collaborate with project teams to analyze information using regional databases.
• Provide technical consulting expertise to support the growth of ERM’s archaeology and cultural heritage business.
• Collaborate with other ERM practice areas to share multidisciplinary resources and best practices across the country.
• Represent ERM through communications and meetings with state, federal, and local agencies.
• Communicate regularly with clients through meetings, email, and conference calls.
• Oversee and manage subcontractors.
• Assist with proposal preparation and development to meet client needs.
• Manage multiple projects within scope, budget, and schedule expectations.
• Lead, hire, retain, mentor, inspire, and manage the performance of team members.
• Capitalize on existing ERM client relationships to expand ERM’s profile and market share in the IAP Cultural Heritage market through technical excellence and business development.
• Partner with ERM colleagues to deepen existing client relationships and develop new client relationships that drive significant net revenue growth.

ERis proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.