Director of Environmental Permitting and Compliance

About us

National Grid is hiring a Director of Environmental Permitting and Compliance within the Operations Support team in NY. This position can be located in either Syracuse, Albany, Buffalo or Brooklyn, NY.

Every day we deliver safe and secure energy to homes, communities, and businesses. We are there when people need us the most. We connect people to the energy they need for the lives they live.

The pace of change in society and our industry is accelerating and our expertise and track record puts us in an unparalleled position to shape the sustainable future of our industry. To be successful we must anticipate the needs of our customers, reducing the cost of energy delivery today and pioneering the flexible energy systems of tomorrow. This requires us to deliver on our promises and always look for new opportunities to grow, both ourselves and our business

Job Purpose

This role is responsible for $100M annual spend providing oversight and direction of 80+ staff members for environmental compliance and permitting a $3-$5Billion portfolio covering electric, gas, company facilities and generation sites, including environmental compliance at over 185 sites across NY as well as ensuring compliance on routine electric and Gas maintenance work. Leading a team of professionals the role responsible for relationship management with key internal and external stakeholders including but not limited to the Public Service Commission (PSC), New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and New York State Department of Transportation (DOT).

Key Accountabilities

• Provide direction and oversight for Environmental Licensing and Permitting and Compliance teams, ensuring alignment with National Grid's strategic goals and objectives and the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System. Lead the development and implementation of innovative environmental strategies that maximize regulatory compliance while minimizing operational costs.
• Oversee the monitoring and analysis of environmental performance data, conducting investigations to develop corrective actions for performance improvement.
• Anticipate, track, and assess the impact of emerging environmental regulations, making informed decisions to minimize economic and operational impacts on National Grid.
• Ensure adherence to regulatory requirements and implementing procedural best practices through coordination of the licensing and permitting processes and other regulatory compliance requirements.
• Direct the development and submission of all required permits and compliance reports to applicable regulatory agencies, ensuring adherence to relevant laws and regulations.
• Direct environmentally-related emergency planning and response activities, particularly in response to extreme weather events, while implementing best practices to safeguard environmental, health and safety standards.
• Communicate effectively with all levels of management providing regular updates on challenges, potential risks, and regulatory changes, as well as highlighting successes and opportunities for improvements. Serve as a key liaison between the environmental team and senior leadership, fostering transparency and alignment with organizational goals.
• Communicate and defend the company's environmental reputation at public hearings, meetings, and with the media, while building and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders to promote National Grid's brand as a leader in energy and environmental stewardship.

Provide direction into the comprehensive management of environmental field services and contract operations, with key responsibilities including:

• Budget Oversight : Direct management of a $50 million annual budget dedicated to environmental field services, encompassing spill response, regulated waste management, laboratory operations, licensing, permitting and cultural resources.
• Contract Management: Administration of $42 million aimed at augmenting staffing through Master Service Agreements (MSA) and internal Staffing platforms, ensuring optimal resource allocation and project support.
• Team Leadership : Supervision of over 30 full-time employees (FTEs) with a combined capital and operational expenditure of $8 million, fostering a collaborative and high-performance work environment.
• Contractor Coordination: Management of more than 50 in-house contractors, ensuring project efficiency, compliance with regulations, and alignment with organizational goals. Includes management of over 20 external companies supporting environmental.

Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree in environmental science, Environmental Engineering, Natural Resource Management, Environmental Management, applied sciences, or other related field. Graduate-level education is a plus.
• A minimum of 10 years of progressive experience conducting and/or overseeing environmental licensing and permitting, with a strong preference for experience related to utility operations in New York is highly preferred.
• Experience with and exposure to Article VII & VIII is highly desired.
• 5 years of direct, people-leadership experience is required.
• Proven track record of developing and implementing innovative environmental permitting and regulatory compliance strategies that achieve environmental protection objectives in a cost-effective manner while maintaining operational flexibility.
• Established reputation of professional respect and credibility among federal, state and local environmental regulatory agencies, legislative bodies, citizen groups, media, and other stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to influence, lead and partner with internal business units to promote environmental excellence throughout the organization.
• High personal standards of commitment, integrity, and ethical conduct in all professional interactions.
• Valid driver's license and a safe driving history that meets National Grid's Safe Driver policy is required; ability to travel to divisional offices and other locations as needed.

More Information

Salary Range:

Upstate, NY: $176,000 - $206,000


Downstate, NY: $211,000 - $248,000

National Grid is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment regardless of protected class. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. National Grid maintains affirmative action programs for individuals with disabilities and protected veterans.

Our employment practices are designed to ensure that all individuals are treated fairly and with respect throughout the hiring process and during employment. National Grid complies with all applicable federal, state, and local anti[1]discrimination laws. We are dedicated to fostering a workplace that is free from unlawful discrimination and harassment, and we encourage a culture of respect for all.