Manager, Permitting

Job Description

The Permitting Manager is responsible for planning and overseeing discretionary land use and natural resources permitting in support of Strata's Southwest development portfolio. This position will work in close coordination with cross-functional teams including Development, Land, Engineering, Transmission & Interconnection, Project Finance & Execution/EPC. The Manager, Permitting oversees natural resources surveys, land use applications, environmental impact disclosure reports and processes, and the preparation of technical studies and reports in compliance with local, state, and federal regulations for utility-scale solar and energy storage projects. The Manager, Permitting will work in close coordination with the lead developer and other project team members to help them understand the practical implications of existing permits as well as proposed permitting strategies, with particular focus on Southwest and Western U.S. AHJs, discretionary approvals, public hearing processes, and federal/state land or natural-resource constraints where applicable.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop, implement and lead project specific permitting strategies., directly managing the permitting process throughout the project lifecycle, from early-stage site diligence through permit issuance, condition satisfaction, and construction handoff.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive permitting schedules and budgets for each project by considering local, regional, state, and federal requirements, site constraints, bankability, community acceptance, and other risks.
• Source and manage a team of external consultants including environmental, technical, public relations/community engagement, legal, cultural resources, biological, hydrology/drainage, fire/code, and local counsel resources.
• Evaluate early-stage Southwest sites for fatal flaws and permitting complexity, including zoning/land-use compatibility, CUP/SUP requirements, general plan amendments, BLM/BOR/BIA/DOE rights-of-way, biological/cultural constraints, water/drainage, FAA/glare, fire code, and decommissioning requirements.
• In collaboration with project developers, engage with and manage relationships with local, state and federal regulatory authorities, AHJs, county staff, fire departments, elected/appointed officials, and agency personnel for each project.
• Represent the project company at public hearings, community meetings, and other local events, and prepare high-quality presentation materials and documents to support project approval.
• Oversee and support transition to EPC, O&M, and others to ensure a smooth handoff and compliance with issued permits and conditions of approval, including creation/maintenance of a permit obligations matrix and closeout documentation.
• Work collaboratively with and be responsive to requests from internal colleagues, while proactively flagging material risks, decisions needed, and schedule impacts.
• Build effective relationships with regulators, service providers and other relevant stakeholders, while representing Strata professionally in politically sensitive or high-visibility forums.
• Travel throughout the Southwest region and nationally, as needed, to effectively carry out Strata's business goals and objectives.

Required Skills and Abilities

• Strong understanding of local, county, state, federal, and tribal permitting processes for utility-scale renewable energy and battery storage projects.
• Ability to manage multiple permitting workstreams across a regional portfolio while maintaining schedule, budget, and risk visibility.
• Ability to evaluate complex land-use, environmental, cultural, biological, drainage, fire/code, FAA, and decommissioning issues and propose practical mitigation strategies.
• Demonstrated ability to manage external consultants and hold them accountable for scope, schedule, budget, and deliverable quality.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present publicly in a professional, credible, and compelling manner.
• Ability to perform desktop review of environmental, land-use, engineering, and community-risk materials and translate findings into project-level recommendations.

Education and/or Work Experience Requirements

• A bachelor's degree in environmental studies, biology, land use planning, geography, urban/regional planning, engineering, public policy, renewable energy development, or other relevant field; master's degree preferred.
• A minimum of five (5) years of experience obtaining discretionary permits and land entitlements; Southwestern U.S. experience (e.g., Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, California, and/or Utah) strongly preferred.
• Experience obtaining discretionary land use permits (including conditional use permits, special use permits, zone changes/amendments, and general/comprehensive plan amendments, BLM/BOR/BIA/DOE Rights-of-Way) and natural resource permits.
• The ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with internal executives, project teams, consultants, AHJs, elected officials, and community stakeholders.
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, analytical and planning abilities, and sound judgement.
• The ability to work as part of a team in a dynamic and fast-paced environment and field questions from internal team members on environmental and other topics pertaining to discretionary approvals.

Physical Requirements/Work Environment

Work is primarily performed in an office or remote environment, with periodic travel to project sites, agency offices, and communities to support permitting and local affairs. Must be able to sit, stand, bend, twist, and lift up to 20 pounds.