COO, Environmental Services

About the job

Summary

We are partnered with a boutique environmental planning firm that specializes in energy markets and is seeking a Chief Operating Officer (COO) to lead operations and help scale the business through its next phase of expansion.

This is a strategic hire who will act as a key business advisor, driving growth through new service line development (i.e., air quality or related environmental disciplines) and expansion into new geographic markets nationally.

This is a hands-on executive role blending operations, technical oversight, and client leadership. The COO will drive scalable growth while remaining closely involved in environmental project delivery, regulatory strategy, and client management. This role reports to the CEO.

The role can be hybrid or remote, if not based near a local office.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with CEO to execute growth strategy across environmental planning, permitting, and compliance services
• Lead operational scaling across people, processes, and project delivery systems
• Translate strategy into actionable plans, KPIs, and performance metrics tied to revenue and margin growth
• Drive business development, including client acquisition, relationship management, and market expansion
• Oversee environmental projects (e.g., CEQA/NEPA, permitting, environmental review, air quality or related disciplines)
• Provide technical oversight and QA/QC on project deliverables, reports, and regulatory documentation
• Ensure project execution meets schedule, budget, and margin targets
• Optimize resource allocation, utilization, and staffing strategies across projects and regions
• Identify and remove operational bottlenecks impacting scalability and delivery
• Build and lead high-performing teams in a fast-paced consulting environment

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Planning, Ecology, or related field
• Prior experience in environmental consulting, planning, or regulatory compliance
• Strong technical background in one or more areas: Environmental planning (CEQA / NEPA); Permitting and regulatory compliance; Air quality, noise, or related environmental disciplines; Energy, infrastructure, or natural resources projects
• Proven experience with project management, QA/QC, and client delivery
• Track record of business development, client growth, and revenue generation
• Experience scaling teams, service lines, or geographic markets
• Strong understanding of consulting operations, utilization, and margin performance
• Ability to operate both strategically and hands-on within a smaller, entrepreneurial firm

Why This Role

• Executive leadership role with direct impact on firm strategy and growth
• Opportunity to build and expand new environmental service lines
• High visibility partnership with CEO and leadership team
• Blend of technical, operational, and client-facing leadership
• Ability to shape a growing firm without the constraints of a large organization

Compensation & Benefits

• Highly competitive base salary and performance-based incentives tied to revenue and client growth
• 100% employer-paid medical coverage
• 401k retirement plan with company match
• 28 days PTO
• Remote flexibility with travel for strategic initiatives
• Dog friendly offices!

If interested, please submit a resume directly.