CEQA Program Manager

Overview / Responsibilities:
Wood has built strong relationships with local agencies in Southern California and the Central Coast with a robust backlog of projects. In response to this success, Wood is seeking a CEQA/California Planning Program Manager to serve as a key member of our California-based Environmental Planning Group, headquartered in Santa Barbara. Our team specializes in high-profile urban development, long-range planning, coastal planning, recreation and trails, climate change adaptation, resiliency, agricultural land use, renewable energy, and hazard mitigation projects. Our in-house staff provides planning and permitting services, high-quality environmental documentation compliant with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and mitigation monitoring and reporting services. Our award-winning documents showcase our team's commitment to excellence in both technical analysis and presentation. We have also been particularly successful with grant preparation and management services for our agency customers. This success supports a growing environmental planning practice and a need for talented and driven project management, environmental analysis, and business development roles on our team. This is a fantastic opportunity for an individual who has 15+ years of project management within California, who is motivated by managing a team of technical experts, and is excited about leading our program into the future. In this role, you will:Manage and/or review preparation of CEQA documents for municipal customers in the central coast and Southern CaliforniaProvide leadership in technical, business development, financial and administrative aspects of the consulting business to sustain and expand a successful environmental practice while growing additional, related disciplinesDirectly interact with agency customers, provide technical direction and editing of environmental impact analyses, and manage and mentor technical teams to complete projects within budget and schedule expectationsServe as senior project manager and/or project expert on specific tasks or projectsManage a variety of professional consulting assignments in one or more specialized areas of environmental and facilities projectsCoordinate with other units across the West U.S. and the CompanyDevelop strategic plans and financial budgets for the groupLead business development for the groupCommunicate effectively with clients, staff, and Wood leadershipDevelop existing staff and identify and recruit new prospects for future growthFacilitate project meetings, hearings, and workshops, including some regional travelHelp grow the practice with proposal support and strategic marketing outreachBe a member of a small, collaborative leadership team for a dedicated and hard-working group of environmental planners, technical specialists, and professional writers

Skills / Qualifications:
The ideal candidate will have the following minimum qualifications:A BS/BA with at least 15 years of experience in environmental planning, urban planning, natural resources, or related fieldExpert knowledge of CEQA and California planningSubstantial project management experience Exceptional technical writing and editing skills, demonstrated by writing samplesA demonstrated commitment to high-quality technical analysis and critical thinking in the environmental review processA tenacious interest in business development with new and existing clients, including experience and/or interest in writing proposalsInitiative and confidence working in a collaborative and communicative teamLeadership qualities, including interest in mentoring junior staffAbility to maintain client and team relationships and identify risks/liabilities early and oftenPreferably, experience working with public and private clients in a private consulting firm and/or local agency work experience

Company Overview:
Wood is a global leader in engineering and consultancy across energy and the built environment, helping to unlock solutions to some of the world's most critical challenges. We provide consulting, projects and operations solutions in more than 60 countries, employing around 40,000 people. www.woodplc.com

Diversity Statement:
We are an equal opportunity employer that recognises the value of a diverse workforce. All suitably qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment on the basis of objective criteria and without regard to the following (which is a non-exhaustive list): race, colour, age, religion, gender, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, or other characteristics in accordance with the relevant governing laws.