SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking a Principal Client Services Lead to join our Southeast team. In this role, you will support multidisciplinary environmental consulting and project delivery efforts for projects across a range of markets, services, clients, and geographies throughout the Southeast.

This is a remote opportunity for the right candidate, with preference for candidates located within the Southeast United States. Depending on project needs, this position may require approximately 5–10% travel throughout the Southeast to support client engagement, regional coordination, and project delivery. You will work closely with clients, leadership, and multidisciplinary teams to guide project direction, ensure technical quality, and support successful delivery. This role offers the opportunity to mentor staff, lead technical work, develop strategic pursuits, and play a key role in advancing project and client success.

Application Deadline:

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and interviews may be scheduled as qualified candidates are identified. This position may close without prior notice once a strong candidate pool is established.

• Establishes and strengthens client relationships by proactively engaging with existing and potential clients and partners.
• Drives business development strategy by identifying market trends, targeting key opportunities, and setting strategic priorities.
• Holds self and others accountable for meeting sales targets and business development goals, ensuring consistent performance.
• Identifies and secures opportunities to bid on projects by monitoring the marketplace and leveraging industry connections.
• Develops teaming relationships by initiating and nurturing partnerships with other firms and organizations.
• Coordinates internal staff and strategy meetings to align business development efforts and share market intelligence.
• Conducts external market research to inform business development decisions and anticipate client needs and industry shifts.
• Disseminates the SWCA brand by representing the company at industry events, conferences, and through targeted outreach efforts (~5-10% travel required)
• Performs internal mentorship by guiding junior staff in client services best practices and professional growth.
• Advances SWCA’s overall business development efforts by collaborating with Technical and Operations leaders to deliver integrated solutions.
• Follows applicable federal, Tribal, state, local, industry, contractual, and company regulations, standards, and specifications.
• Performs related work as assigned.

Additional Job-Specific Responsibilities

• Leads complex, multidisciplinary client pursuits and capture strategies across the Southeast, coordinating local and national teams to develop and secure strategic opportunities aligned with regional growth priorities, while maintaining awareness of market conditions, competitors, and opportunities to differentiate SWCA.
• Provides strategic project leadership and technical oversight for complex, high-profile projects spanning multiple sites, jurisdictions, agencies, and disciplines, managing project scope, schedule, budget, risk, and quality while ensuring successful delivery and client satisfaction.
• Serves as a technical and professional resource for clients and internal teams, developing innovative approaches, methodologies, tools, and standards; leading stakeholder and client communications as appropriate; mentoring and developing staff; and identifying opportunities to expand client relationships and generate additional work.

Eight years of relevant, progressively responsible experience, including some experience in managing others, with at least seven years in project management, budget/proposal development, business development, and/or client relationship management. Ten years of related experience is preferred; or any equivalent combination of experience, performance, training, and/or education. Knowledge normally obtained through a bachelor's degree.

• Demonstrated success leading business development, strategic pursuits, capture planning, and client relationship management within the environmental consulting industry, with experience identifying and developing opportunities across the Southeast and building relationships with clients, regulators, industry partners, and other stakeholders.
• Proven experience leading complex multidisciplinary projects and teams, including responsibility for project strategy, technical approach, QA/QC, risk management, budgets, schedules, client and agency communication, and successful delivery of multiple concurrent projects or pursuits.
• Strong leadership and collaboration skills, with the ability to influence across offices, geographies, and disciplines; lead teams with and without formal authority; mentor and develop staff; manage competing priorities; and lead effectively with minimal guidance and extensive latitude.

Preferred qualifications: 

• Established professional network and demonstrated relationships with clients, regulators, industry partners, and/or other stakeholders across the Southeast.
• Recognized technical or professional expertise in an environmental consulting discipline, with demonstrated ability to develop innovative solutions, methodologies, tools, or standards that advance client outcomes and SWCA’s technical reputation.
• Experience leading pursuits and projects of the highest complexity involving multiple jurisdictions, agencies, disciplines, phases, significant budgets, elevated levels of risk, controversy, or regulatory complexity, as well as experience supervising or providing leadership through other supervisors.

This position may require domestic travel, including travel by commercial airline. Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain all valid travel documents and identification required for work-related travel throughout the duration of employment.  

Drives compliance of safety policies and reporting requirements to ensure overall team safety.  

SWCA is committed to salary equity and transparency. The expected pay range for this Southeast- based position is $123,052.80 to $169,728.00 per year. Actual pay may vary based on experience, qualifications, geographic location, and other factors permitted by law. Eligible employees may also receive performance-based bonuses.

As a 100% employee owned company, we invest in your future. Our Total Rewards package includes an Employee Stock Ownership Plan, 401(k) with profit sharing, medical, dental, and vision coverage, paid time off, wellness programs, and professional development opportunities. 

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