Project Director - Environmental

Project Director At LJA Environmental

LJA is offering an exciting opportunity that will allow you to reach your full career potential. The structure of our organization is designed to amplify your capabilities while gaining the benefits of being an employee-owner. What truly sets this opportunity apart is the chance to collaborate every day with dedicated, skilled, and supportive leaders. Whether you are in the office, in the field, or behind the scenes, working at LJA gives you the chance to grow through hands-on experience and exposure to a broad range of clients and services.

At LJA, our employee-owners take pride in their work and their workplace. We're guided by leaders who foster a culture of respect, collaboration and a shared vision of success. Our difference is evident in the experiences and opportunities we provide:

• Employee-owned. Client-focused
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
• Consistently ranked as a Top Workplace
• Internal recruitment team, in-house training, and a marketing department specific to our industry
• We celebrate flexibility, allowing every team and office to lead with their proven approach
• Our culture champions continuous learning and personal growth
• We believe success comes through constant evolution and communication
• We are passionate about having fun and making money, all while creating impact

As a Project Director at LJA Environmental, you will oversee the Business Development within the market area, including multiple states. Responsible for building the service line within the market area and ultimately leading a team. Lead and manage a team of Senior Project Managers, Project Managers, and junior staff, including mentoring, training, and performance reviews. Oversee large, complex, and/or high-profile projects, ensuring completion within scope, schedule, and budget. Develop, review, and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) and report formats; review and edit technical reports. Serve as primary client liaison, providing consulting services, managing client relationships, negotiations, collections, and issue resolution. Drive business development efforts, including proposal preparation, budgeting, marketing event participation, and growth with existing and potential clients. Accountable for the financial performance of the organization unit, including profitability, expenses, revenue forecasting, projections, and budget development in collaboration with Vice Presidents. Review and approve timesheets, expense reports, budgets, invoices, and billings. Attend quarterly division meetings, client meetings, and marketing events as required. Assist executive leadership with long-term strategic planning and organizational goals. Serve as a technical authority within the department, applying advanced theories, principles, and practices in the assigned area. This role serves as the department's senior authority and may assume any operational leadership role as needed.

A typical day might include:

• Initially carrying out site investigations, collecting, processing, and evaluating off-site and on-site data, processing and interpreting biological, physical, chemical, geographical, and geological data for preparing environmental reports and work plans accordingly
• Interviewing, managing, and training additional staff as the need arises to add such staff.
• Coordinating with external scientists, engineers, and other regulators, providing technical assistance to engineers and program managers for project design alternatives, and maintaining the project standards as per the guidelines by regulatory authorities
• Preparation of and QAQC of technical reports, preparation of progress reports in accordance with other organizational operations
• Coordinating with suppliers, fieldwork coordinators, subcontractors, and other field staff, supervising the fieldwork for accomplishing the project work for the organization
• Preparation of Level of Effort estimates and scopes of work, coordination and management of subconsultants LOE and scopes, preparation of proposals and subconsultant agreements
• Managing the contract discussions with third-party contractors, local planning authorities, and other project-specific personnel for carrying out the project responsibilities efficiently
• Maintain and utilize up to date guidance documents and tool kits to be used in compliance with all regulatory entities for which technical reports and NEPA documents are prepared by the organization.

Required Education/License/Certifications:

• Minimum Bachelor of Science, Master's preferred, in one of the following or related fields: Marine Biology, Rangeland Ecology, Ecology, Soil Science, Geography

Required Qualifications:

• Working knowledge of CWA, ESA, ASTM, and NEPA processes, including permitting and mitigation.
• Strong communication skills and Ability to build strong relationships
• 15+ years of experience

Level Up With LJA:

• Generous Time Off: PTO, paid holidays, and a full office closure between Christmas and New Year's.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Multiple plan options for health, dental, and pets. Along with mental health support.
• Family Support: Paid maternity and parental leave to help you focus on what matters most.
• Education Support: Tuition reimbursement and in-house courses provided by our Learning and Development team.
• Referral Bonuses: Know great talent? Get rewarded for helping us grow.
• Community Impact: Company-sponsored volunteer days and philanthropic initiatives.
• Professional Development: Memberships to industry organizations to keep you connected and growing.
• Career Growth: Great internal mobility opportunities to advance your career.
• Fun Culture: LJA social events, employee sports teams, bring your kid to work day, etc.