Volkswagen Group is seeking an Operations Permitting Manager to provide technical, regulatory, and organizational leadership for Electrify America's site development. This role is pivotal in ensuring a steady pace from drawing creation through permit submission, review, and approval.
What You'll Do
- Lead all aspects of permitting strategy, planning, and operations for Electrify America’s national network and commercial projects.
- Act as the subject matter expert on all permit-related processes including planning, application, design, construction, and entitlements.
- Develop relationships with senior management at regulatory and compliance agencies at the local, state, and federal levels.
- Lead regular meetings and business reviews with design-build third parties to ensure timely processing of sites.
- Prepare executive summaries for leadership on permitting processes, schedules, and key concerns.
- Manage ongoing permit-related operations and act as the primary contact between developers, contractors, and government agencies.
- Lead central coordination between all major regulatory authorities and the Site Development and Construction field team.
- Coordinate cross-functionally with Government Affairs and Energy Product teams to expedite approvals and establish schedules.
- Arrange and attend meetings with AHJ staff.
- Develop training materials for Project Management staff.
- Maintain detailed records of permits, inspections, and approvals.
- Support development initiatives by ensuring timely permit approvals and providing guidance on compliance risks.
- Support the transition of approved sites to the construction strategy operations team.
What We're Looking For
- 7-10 years' experience in site development project management and permit coordination.
- Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, construction management, policy, or equivalent work experience.
- Expert-level permit management, program management, and schedule tracking skills.
- Expert-level comprehension of local, state, and federal policies.
- Highly capable communication skills – interpersonal, oral, and written.
- Strategic, analytical, and conceptual thinking capabilities.
- Experienced leadership, management, and influencing skills.
- Strong problem-solving, autonomy, and initiative.
- Computer savvy and skilled in the use of software.
- Working knowledge navigating regulatory agencies and general permitting processes.
- Experience successfully navigating discretionary land use actions and site entitlements.
- Experience in growing teams and vendor management.
- Demonstrated history of successful permit expediting in major U.S. metros.
- Ability to understand and interpret design drawings.
- Knowledge of evolving laws and compliance standards for EV charging sites.
- Ability to apply and interpret complex regulations to projects.
- Ability to translate technical requirements into actionable steps for non-experts.
- Experience providing support to operational areas related to permitting interconnection.
- Project management across all phases, especially from drawing creation to permit approval.
- Demonstrated ability to track, escalate, and manage risks & issues.
- Previous experience working with local, state, and federal level authorities.
- Extensive knowledge of permit requirements for EV charging infrastructure and related equipment.
- Understanding of the EV Charging ecosystem.
- Ability to maintain meticulous records and attention to detail when reviewing applications.
Nice to Have
- Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, environmental science, or construction management.
- Experience permitting EV chargers and battery energy storage systems (BESS) in the U.S.
- Experience permitting commercial developments in southern California, the east coast, or other major U.S. metros.
- Experience permitting commercial retail uses with drive-thrus, gas stations, or other entitlements.
- Certified permitting specialist or industry-specific compliance certifications.
- PMP Certification.
Team & Environment
You will coordinate closely with DB Partners, the EA Design and Construction teams, and the Project Management Office (PMO). You will also partner closely with the Government Affairs team.
Benefits & Compensation
- Geographically dependent salary ranges: California: $106,400 – 212,900; Colorado: $106,400 – 163,800; Washington: $106,400 – 178,700; New York City: $152,100 – 212,900; Westchester County: $127,600 – 178,700; Rhode Island: $106,400 – 163,800.
Work Mode
This role is hybrid and the position is located in the United States.
Electrify America, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome and encourage applicants from all backgrounds, and do not discriminate based on race, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, color, gender identity/expression, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected by applicable laws.
