Project Manager - Permitting in Plymouth, Michigan at Metro Consulting Associates LLC

Position Description

The Permitting Project Manager is responsible for managing the technical, financial, and schedule-related aspects of permitting-focused projects by representing the firm in communications with clients, permitting jurisdictions, consultants, and internal staff.

Client Management/Marketing Duties & Responsibilities

• This role will be responsible for coordinating staff and primary contact with clients.
• Lead early permitting due diligence and entitlement strategy to identify risks, approvals, and agency requirements.
• Coordinate with clients to communicate permitting status, risks, timelines, and required actions.
• Maintain strong working relationships with local, county, state, and federal permitting agencies.
• Support Business Development and Marketing teams by providing permitting insight during pursuit and proposal development, including schedule and risk input.

Project/Technical Duties & Responsibilities

• Establish and manage overall permitting strategy for projects, including sequencing, dependencies, and agency coordination.
• Oversee preparation, review, and submission of permit applications, supporting documents, plans, and exhibits.
• Coordinate plan reviews with Engineering, Survey, Environmental, and Construction teams to ensure permit compliance.
• Lead meetings and calls with permitting agencies and facilitate resolution of review comments.
• Track permit status, approvals, conditions, and expiration dates; ensure permit conditions are clearly communicated to project teams and clients.
• Manage permit modifications, revisions, and amendments as required.
• Ensure permitting requirements are integrated into project schedules and construction sequencing.
• Promote internal communication and cross-discipline coordination related to permitting requirements.

Financial Duties & Responsibilities

• Develop and manage permitting scopes, budgets, and schedules for assigned projects.
• Monitor permitting-related labor, consultant costs, and agency fees; analyze variances and initiate corrective actions as needed.
• Assist with change management related to permitting scope changes, delays, or agency requirements.
• Support invoice review and permitting-related billing, as necessary.
• Provide regular status updates to clients and leadership regarding permitting progress, risks, and schedule impacts.

Employee Management Duties & Responsibilities

• Provide leadership, direction, and mentorship to permitting staff and project teams.
• Allocate permitting workload to ensure efficient use of staff resources.
• Participate in hiring, onboarding, training, and development of permitting personnel.
• Support performance management, coaching, and professional development for assigned team members.

Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental, Ecological, Land Planning, Survey, GIS, or closely related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Minimum 6 – 8 years of applicable industry experience, including significant experience with permitting and regulatory coordination.
• Minimum 2 years of project management experience, including budgets, schedules, and scope management.
• Professional licensure (e.g., PE, PS, RLA, AICP, CPG, SR/WA) preferred.
• Strong understanding of permitting processes for municipal, transportation, utility, land development, and infrastructure projects.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to communicate regulatory requirements clearly.
• Exceptional organization, attention to detail, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with technical and non-technical personnel.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel to project sites and client locations as required.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

• Office setting
• Approximately 10% travel, including visits to project sites, permitting agencies, and client locations
• Regularly required to sit