Principal Environmental Project Manager

About the opportunity

SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking a Principal Environmental Project Manager to help expand our presence in Arkansas, strengthen relationships with local businesses and communities, and create new opportunities for growth across the company.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced environmental professional who wants to take ownership, shape strategy, and make a meaningful impact. You will join a full service consulting team with diverse projects, a strong culture, and the autonomy to grow client relationships, develop new business, and advance your career.

As a Principal Project Manager, you will lead significant natural resources projects, manage multidisciplinary teams, cultivate trusted client relationships, and guide biological field studies from planning through completion. You will also mentor emerging professionals and pursue business opportunities that align with your expertise and vision. You will support clients navigating complex environmental requirements associated with the Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act, and other federal, state, and local regulations. Our diverse portfolio includes electrical transmission, oil and gas, infrastructure, land development, water resources, and government agencies.

This is a full time, salaried position offering a comprehensive benefits package and a distributed work arrangement for candidates located in Arkansas. Applicants must currently reside in Arkansas to be considered.

Applications will be reviewed immediately, and qualified candidates will be interviewed on a rolling basis. The position will remain open until we have identified a strong pool of qualified candidates and may close without prior notice.

What you will accomplish

• Develop and manage client relationships, leading business development efforts with both new and existing clients.
• Expand SWCA’s presence by networking with agencies and industry organizations to grow the state and regional client base in environmental planning, permitting, and natural resource services.
• Identify and assess sales opportunities, oversee proposal development, and provide strategic recommendations to leadership overseeing Arlington operations.
• Lead and manage natural resource projects, ensuring successful execution from initiation to completion.
• Monitor team utilization and balance workloads to maintain efficiency and productivity.
• Oversee the technical execution and financial performance of natural resource projects, ensuring effective coordination with clients and regulatory agencies.
• Proactively manage project scope, schedule, and budget to prevent cost overruns and ensure deliverables meet quality standards.
• Provide technical oversight and prepare reports, including biological resources reports, biological assessments, wetland reports, National Environmental Policy Act documentation, and other natural resources project deliverables related to the Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act, and other regulatory, permitting, and compliance requirements.
• Drive compliance of safety policies and reporting requirements to ensure overall team safety.
• Experience and qualifications for success

• Bachelor’s degree in Natural Resource Management, Biology, Environmental Science, Ecology, Fish & Wildlife Science, Archaeology, or a closely related discipline.
• A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in environmental consulting, with a strong track record in project leadership and business development.
• Minimum of five (5) years managing complex projects, including oversight of budgets, timelines, deliverables, and multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong understanding of state-specific environmental regulations and permitting processes.
• Comprehensive knowledge of key environmental regulations, including the Endangered Species Act (ESA), Clean Water Act (CWA), National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and related federal, state, and local laws.
• Hands-on experience conducting environmental fieldwork, coordinating permitting strategies, and executing on-the-ground project implementation.
• Proven success as a "seller/doer," with the ability to build client relationships, secure project opportunities, and deliver high-quality consulting services.

• Twelve (12) years or more of progressively responsible experience in environmental consulting, with a strong track record in project leadership and business development.
• Strong background in project management of electrical transmission projects.

• Develop and manage client relationships, leading business development efforts with both new and existing clients.
• Expand SWCA’s presence by networking with agencies and industry organizations to grow the state and regional client base in environmental planning, permitting, and natural resource services.
• Identify and assess sales opportunities, oversee proposal development, and provide strategic recommendations to leadership overseeing Arlington operations.
• Lead and manage natural resource projects, ensuring successful execution from initiation to completion.
• Monitor team utilization and balance workloads to maintain efficiency and productivity.
• Oversee the technical execution and financial performance of natural resource projects, ensuring effective coordination with clients and regulatory agencies.
• Proactively manage project scope, schedule, and budget to prevent cost overruns and ensure deliverables meet quality standards.
• Provide technical oversight and prepare reports, including biological resources reports, biological assessments, wetland reports, National Environmental Policy Act documentation, and other natural resources project deliverables related to the Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act, and other regulatory, permitting, and compliance requirements.
• Drive compliance of safety policies and reporting requirements to ensure overall team safety.