Consulting Director, Natural Resources

Lead the Future of Energy Development in the Heartland

Step into a leadership role where your expertise shapes the future of energy infrastructure. As a Consulting Director, Natural Resources, based in Great Plains & Midwest, you’ll drive strategic growth, lead high-performing teams, and deliver solutions that enable sustainable development at scale. This is more than a leadership role—it’s an opportunity to influence how major energy projects are planned, permitted, and delivered across one of North America’s most dynamic regions.

Why This Role Matters

At ERM, we partner with the world’s leading energy organizations to turn ambitious ideas into real-world impact—from renewable energy installations to large-scale transmission infrastructure. Our work sits at the intersection of sustainability, regulation, and innovation.

As we expand our Capital Project Development practice in the Great Plains and Midwest, we’re seeking a leader who can guide complex permitting strategies, mentor emerging talent, and help clients navigate evolving environmental landscapes—all while driving meaningful growth.

What Your Impact Is

In this role, you will lead from the front—building and inspiring a team of specialists while serving as a trusted advisor to clients. Your work will directly influence the success of major infrastructure and energy projects, guiding them from early-stage planning through permitting and execution.

You’ll balance technical excellence with strategic vision, ensuring projects meet regulatory requirements, align with sustainability goals, and deliver lasting value for clients and communities.

What You’ll Bring

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, ecology, environmental management, or a related field, or equivalent experience
• 8+ years of experience in environmental consulting, permitting, or impact assessment
• Proven success managing complex natural resource permitting programs (ESA Section 7 & 10, Eagle Conservation Plans, Take Permits)
• Deep understanding of regulatory frameworks for energy and transmission projects
• Strong leadership, communication, and project management skills
• Ability to motivate teams and deliver results in a fast-paced environment
• Commitment to safety and fostering an inclusive workplace

Preferred

• Master’s degree in a relevant field
• Experience with stakeholder engagement and strategic regulatory navigation
• Familiarity with regional permitting challenges in the Great Plains and Midwest
• Demonstrated success mentoring and developing emerging leaders

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and grow a high-performing consulting team, providing mentorship and strategic direction
• Deliver projects with excellence, ensuring quality, timeliness, budget alignment, and client satisfaction
• Drive business development by strengthening existing client relationships and identifying new opportunities
• Collaborate with ERM Partners to execute market-specific strategies and expand service offerings
• Ensure compliance with health & safety standards and internal risk management protocols
• Champion diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging across team culture and client engagements

Who We Are:

As the largest global pure play sustainability consultancy, we partner with the world’s leading organizations, creating innovative solutions to sustainability challenges and unlocking commercial opportunities that meet the needs of today while preserving opportunity for future generations.

At ERM we know that creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive work environment is an essential part of making our company a great place to build a career. We also see our diversity as a strength that helps us create better solutions for our clients. Our diverse team of world-class experts supports clients across the breadth of their organizations to operationalize sustainability, underpinned by our deep technical expertise in addressing their environmental, health, safety, risk and social issues. We call this capability our “boots to boardroom” approach for its comprehensive service model that allows ERM to develop strategic and technical solutions that advance objectives on the ground or at the executive level.

Please submit your resume and brief cover letter.

ERM does not accept recruiting agency resumes. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias, ERM employees or any other company location. ERM is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.

ERM is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

Thank you for your interest in ERM!