Permit Communications Lead

Our client is actively seeking an experienced Permit & Communications Lead to join their team out of Richmond, VA! As a company representative, this position is responsible for establishing permitting and communications governance, overseeing regulatory approvals and permit compliance, directing stakeholder and community engagement strategies, managing contractor performance within the assigned scope and ensuring alignment between project objectives and external requirements. Additionally, this individual will provide strategic guidance to leadership on permitting status, regulatory and stakeholder risks, communication priorities, mitigation strategies, and project readiness while supporting successful project execution, GMP compliance, start up readiness, and long-term operational success! Permit & Communications Lead Location: Richmond, VA Duration: Long term need Assignment conditions will be provided Mobilizing should be expected by Mid Oct/November Company Sustainable Technology Solutions (STS) provides holistic and value-added solutions across the entire asset life cycle. These include world-class licensed process technologies, differentiated advisory services, deep technical domain expertise, energy transition solutions, high-end design capabilities, and smart solutions to optimize planned and operating assets. Has responsibility for day-to-day contact and communication with engineering disciplines, procurement, construction/commissioning, and the client and focuses on providing client satisfaction. Our client is seeking a Permit & Communications Lead to provide overall leadership of the permitting, communications, and stakeholder engagement function for a multi-billion-dollar GMP manufacturing program in the Greater Richmond, VA area, serving as the Client's primary regulatory, governmental, and external stakeholder interface within the PMC team. As a senior pharmaceutical PMC/Owner's Representative role, this position is responsible for establishing permitting and communications governance, overseeing regulatory approvals and permit compliance, directing stakeholder and community engagement strategies, managing contractor performance within the assigned scope, and ensuring alignment between project objectives and external requirements. The Permit & Communications Lead provides strategic guidance to PMC leadership on permitting status, regulatory and stakeholder risks, communications priorities, mitigation strategies, and project readiness, while supporting successful project execution, GMP compliance, startup readiness, and long-term operational success. Functional job responsibilities will include but are not limited to: Lead the development and execution of permitting, regulatory engagement, stakeholder management, and communications strategies to support all phases of project delivery. Serve as the primary interface between the Client, regulatory agencies, local authorities, community organizations, utility providers, and other external stakeholders. Oversee the identification, tracking, submission, and approval of all required permits, licenses, environmental authorizations, and regulatory approvals necessary for project execution. Establish and maintain permitting governance processes, schedules, and reporting systems to ensure timely approvals and compliance with project milestones. Coordinate closely with engineering, environmental, construction, commissioning, and operations teams to ensure permitting requirements are integrated into project planning and execution. Direct public relations, community outreach, and stakeholder engagement initiatives to foster positive relationships and maintain the project's social license to operate. Manage communications consultants, permitting contractors, and external advisors to ensure consistent, effective, and compliant execution of project objectives. Monitor regulatory developments, policy changes, and external factors that may impact project execution, and develop mitigation strategies to address emerging risks. Lead the preparation and delivery of executive-level communications, presentations, stakeholder briefings, and regulatory submissions. Develop and maintain stakeholder engagement plans, communications matrices, and issue management processes to ensure proactive and transparent communications. Identify, assess, and manage permitting, regulatory, and stakeholder risks, implementing mitigation and recovery plans to minimize project impacts. Support project leadership in development and execution of incident communications, issue management, and crisis communication strategies. Collaborate with project controls and project management teams to ensure permitting activities, approvals, and stakeholder commitments are incorporated into the overall project schedule and execution strategy. Coordinate permitting activities associated with GMP manufacturing facilities, laboratories, utilities, warehousing, and support infrastructure. Support project rea