Senior Project Manager – Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) CEC Permitting

Spheros Environmental is an environmental consulting company seeking a Senior Project Manager to lead Arizona Corporation Commission Certificate of Environmental Compliance permitting and environmental projects. The role manages project strategy, technical and regulatory deliverables, multidisciplinary teams, schedules, budgets, client relationships, business development, and staff leadership.

Responsibilities:

• Leads the development and execution of ACC CEC permitting strategies for complex energy and infrastructure projects, overseeing technical reports, application materials, compliance filings, agency responses, and other regulatory documentation
• Provides strategic oversight of project permitting activities, ensuring compliance with applicable CEC regulations, environmental laws, agency requirements, technical standards, and client-specific requirements while identifying and managing project risks
• Serves as a primary point of contact for clients, regulatory agencies, technical experts, and other stakeholders, clearly communicating complex technical and regulatory concepts both verbally and in writing
• Directs and coordinates multidisciplinary project teams, including subconsultants, to ensure the timely and successful completion of project deliverables and milestones
• Leads quality control and continuous improvement efforts, ensuring deliverables are accurate, complete, technically sound, and compliant with applicable requirements while identifying opportunities to improve project delivery and permitting processes
• Provides technical and professional leadership to project teams and less experienced staff, fosters collaboration and innovation, stays current on regulatory and industry developments, and performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned
• Guides the team towards technical solutions. Solicits input from the client on technical solutions when appropriate. Asks probing questions to vet out solutions
• Lead project team meetings focused on environmental and/or regulatory permitting
• When client requests are out of scope, review additional services priced by business leadership team members. Actively manages scope creep of the team
• Reviews and approves all client invoices on assigned projects
• Prepares strategic plans for project success. Maintains project schedules. Directs certain members of a team through specific portion(s) of a project with assistance from senior staff positions
• Manage and guide junior staff within the framework of projects managed
• Guides the team leveraging knowledge of planning, delivery, and completion to make informed recommendations to the client
• Has full responsibility for managing small to mid-size projects. Works with minimal supervision from a Senior Project Manager or Principal. Responsible for coordination of overall project efforts to ensure project completion and quality while maximizing both the Client’s satisfaction and the Firm’s profitability and mitigating risk to the Firm
• Asks thoughtful, relevant, and open-ended questions to better understand client’s needs. Actively listens to develop rapport
• Serves as primary liaison contact with clients and authorities having jurisdiction. Actively manages project communication and documentation while providing a positive motivating force for the project and its participants
• May represent clients at public meetings
• Manages relationship with internal and external clients, local agencies, other consulting companies, and contractors
• Leverages professional network to engage with the industry on thought leadership. Participates and looks for opportunities to lead in professional organizations
• Supports business development activities including community and client events, presentations, and approach to teaming arrangements
• Actively contributes to professional networks to share relevant knowledge expected from the client
• Develops detailed proposals and estimates in support of the bidding process, working collaboratively with the marketing department, for small to mid-size projects
• Coordinates with technical leads and marketing operations on pursuits and proposals
• Responsible for developing new client business and engaging in strategic Business Development planning for the department
• Create and participate in strategies for building company’s name recognition
• Identifies opportunities and prepare strategies for client business development and marketing initiatives
• Identifies regional-specific industry trends for various services
• Oversees project and forward looking
• Responsible for the improvement of operations, increasing project efficiency and quality, and building a culture of delivering excellent client service. Leads continuous improvement efforts as requested by senior leadership
• Encourages a people first approach and entrepreneurial initiative in all staff. Guides the team in assessing risk management and business impact when implementing process improvement
• Possesses a desire for lifelong learning. Trains newly hired staff and assists with the development of staff through day-to-day interactions. Participates in formal mentorship programs
• Responsible for project profitability
• Monitors and manages team labor expenses
• Creates labor forecasts and budgets for necessary staff. Verifying budget and adjusted as needed
• Build relationship capital with clients through project work and networking events
• Developing skills to have difficult discussions with clients
• Exhibits a balance of self-confidence and humility. Cultivates and gains trust through active listening and being a team player
• Works closely with senior staff members to cross market and integrate services for existing clients
• Develops quality relationships with assigned clients and analyzes client circumstances to recognize new business opportunities

Requirements:

• 6+ years, 1+ years of PM experience in environmental consulting
• Bachelor's degree and/or equivalent experience in environmental studies, land planning or natural resources
• Experience with permitting in AZ
• CEC Permitting with transmission lines and/or gas plants
• Experience contributing to or overseeing preparation of technical plans, reports, or permitting
• Microsoft Suite, Google Earth, Company Software (ERP, CRM, HRM etc.), and ArcGIS familiarity