Principal Consultant, Project Manager

About the Role

In this position you will oversee a regional program team, steer program strategy and performance, and act as the primary liaison with client leadership. You will coordinate environmental, operational, and permitting teams, manage budgets and financial reporting, and drive tools and workflow improvements to accelerate permitting outcomes. • Lead regional program team and manage Project Managers to meet client objectives. • Plan staff, allocate resources, and define organizational structure for program success. • Serve as primary client liaison, ensuring proactive communication and strategic alignment. • Coordinate environmental, operational, and permitting teams to resolve constraints. • Manage budgets, forecasting, and financial reporting for cost control. • Develop tools and dashboards to enhance program visibility and reporting. • Establish QA/QC standards for permit packages, ensuring regulatory compliance. • Identify and implement workflow improvements to accelerate permitting turnaround. • Utilize MS Project, Excel, and GIS for scheduling, tracking, and data workflows.

Key Responsibilities

• ▸team leadership
• ▸client liaison
• ▸budget management
• ▸tool development
• ▸workflow optimization
• ▸scheduling tools

What You Bring

ERM is seeking an experienced program leader to drive high‑impact work across Northern California’s power sector. As a Principal Consultant, Program Manager, you will guide complex vegetation‑management permitting programs that influence regional infrastructure and environmental compliance. The ideal candidate holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental science, business, project management or a related field, with a preferred master’s degree. A minimum of five years’ experience leading cross‑functional teams in consulting, utilities, or environmental services, strong analytical and strategic planning skills, and excellent communication abilities are required. Proficiency with program management software, GIS platforms, and Microsoft Office, as well as leadership certifications such as PMP or Lean Six Sigma, are preferred. • Own program strategy, performance, and delivery of contractual commitments. • Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Business, Project Management or related field; Master’s preferred. • Minimum 5 years’ experience leading cross‑functional teams in consulting, utilities, or environmental services; 10+ years for senior level. • Proven ability to manage multi‑project programs and multidisciplinary teams. • Strong organizational, analytical, and strategic planning skills. • Excellent communication and client relationship management. • Proficiency with MS Project, Smartsheet, Excel, GIS, and Microsoft Office Suite. • Leadership certifications such as PMP, Lean Six Sigma, or similar preferred.

Requirements

• ▸bachelor's
• ▸5+ years
• ▸pmp
• ▸ms project
• ▸gis
• ▸excel

Benefits

The role offers an annual base salary ranging from $121,274 to $152,491, with eligibility for bonus pay, and a comprehensive benefits package that includes paid time off, parental leave, medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, as well as retirement plans such as 401(k) or RRSP/DPSP. • Annual base salary $121,274–$152,491 with potential bonus eligibility. • Comprehensive benefits: PTO, parental leave, medical, dental, vision, life, disability, AD&D insurance. • Retirement options include 401(k) or RRSP/DPSP plans.

Work Environment

Field