Northwest Business Development Leader - Environmental Planning & Infrastructure

About the role

Environmental Science Associates (ESA) is a 100% employee-owned environmental consulting firm. We plan, design, permit, mitigate, and restore for projects across our communities, infrastructure systems, open spaces, and wildlands. We are 50 years strong in 21 offices across California, the Pacific Northwest, and the Southeastern United States.

ESA is seeking a Northwest Business Development Leader for Environmental Planning & Infrastructure to help drive the continued growth of our Environmental Planning and Permitting practice throughout the Pacific Northwest while supporting national market initiatives.

This position will report to the Client Development Director, and working closely with the Northwest Environmental Planning Business Group Director, you'll serve as a senior leader responsible for developing regional growth strategies, strengthening client relationships, expanding our environmental planning and permitting portfolio, and helping build the next generation of leaders within ESA.

The ideal candidate will be based out of Seattle, WA, or Portland, OR, have relevant experience in that region, and be able to work on-site 2-3 days per week.

This role combines strategic business development, client relationship management, project leadership, and team development.

What You'll Do

Drive Regional and National Growth

• Develop and implement business development strategies for Environmental Planning and Infrastructure throughout the Northwest.
• Partner with Business Group Directors, Practice Leaders, and Market Leaders both within the Northwest and across the company to identify growth opportunities and support national strategic initiatives.
• Lead pursuits for major projects while expanding ESA's presence across public infrastructure, transportation, water, energy, natural resources, and community development markets.
• Build and maintain trusted relationships with public agencies, infrastructure owners, private developers, and teaming partners.
• Collaborate with marketing and proposal teams to develop winning pursuit strategies, proposals, and presentations.
• Represent ESA through conference presentations, technical publications, professional organizations, and industry events.
• Help identify and recruit exceptional talent to support continued practice growth.

Lead Clients and Projects

• Serve as a trusted advisor for complex projects.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams delivering NEPA, SEPA, permitting, and environmental review projects across the Northwest and nationally.
• Ensure projects are delivered with exceptional quality, proactive risk management, and outstanding client service.
• Collaborate with senior practitioners across ESA to share knowledge, develop best practices, and strengthen our national technical expertise.

Develop People and Culture

• Mentor project managers and technical staff in business development, client management, and project delivery.
• Foster collaboration across offices, practices, and markets.
• Support an inclusive, collaborative culture where employee-owners are empowered to grow professionally and contribute to ESA's continued success.

What You Bring

You are a collaborative leader who enjoys building trusted client relationships and developing successful teams. You understand how to balance strategic growth with technical excellence and exceptional client service.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in environmental planning, environmental science, natural resources, engineering, geography, or a related field.
• 15+ years of progressively responsible experience in environmental consulting or 13 years with an advanced relevant degree.
• Demonstrated success developing business, winning projects, and growing client relationships.
• Strong experience managing environmental planning and permitting projects.
• Expertise in NEPA, SEPA, environmental review, and regulatory permitting.
• Proven experience leading multidisciplinary teams and mentoring staff.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting infrastructure, transportation, water, energy, or community development clients.
• Familiarity with environmental planning and permitting in eastern Washington, eastern Oregon, Idaho, or the Intermountain West.
• Existing relationships with regional public agencies, utilities, or private sector clients.
• Experience working across multiple offices and geographic regions.

Why ESA

As an employee-owned firm, every person at ESA contributes to our shared success. We invest in our people through meaningful work, opportunities for leadership, and a collaborative culture built on trust, innovation, and continuous learning.

Here, you'll have the opportunity to

• Shape the future of ESA's Northwest Region including continued expansion east of the Cascade Mountains.
• Lead transformational infrastructure and environmental projects.
• Grow client relationships that have lasting regional impact.
• Mentor and develop future leaders.
• Collaborate with nationally recognized experts across multiple disciplines.
• Share in the success of an employee-owned company committed to creating positive environmental and community outcomes

ESA has established multiple pay ranges tailored to the economic factors in the geographies in which ESA staff reside. For this position, the range is approximately as listed based on our anticipated hiring locations as noted in the above job details. Actual compensation is determined by several factors including but not limited to an individual's related experience, education, skills, and the city in which the applicant lives.

CA Pay Transparency Clause $135,000—$185,000 USD

Please note: We do NOT accept unsolicited resumes from agencies

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