Director of Special Projects

About the role

The Director of Special Projects reports to the CEO and serves as a cross-functional leader responsible for driving growth, revenue, and operational excellence across three strategic pillars: Business Development, Waste Services, and Operations.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership, direction, and model GrayMar values.
• Ensure each employee is prepared and educated in safe work practices every day.
• Develop, coach, train, and promote employees.
• Provide ongoing feedback and motivation, including performance support with an inclusive approach.
• Drive change management initiatives and leverage cross-functional influence to align stakeholders, accelerate program adoption, and achieve operational and profitability goals.
• Business Development:
  • Work independently and in close collaboration with the Sales Team to increase revenue through targeted business development strategies.
  • Cultivate and expand existing customer relationships across target markets, including Utah, Colorado, Nevada, and Washington, identifying opportunities for service expansion, contract renewals, and increased value delivery.
  • Support Sales Team members in pursuing new customers, providing technical credibility, regulatory expertise, and operational insight during client engagements, site visits, and proposal processes.
  • Develop and execute market-specific growth strategies tailored to the regulatory environments, customer needs, and competitive landscape of each target state.
  • Identify emerging business opportunities, competitive threats, and industry trends to inform strategic planning and prioritization.
  • Represent GrayMar at industry events, conferences, and client meetings to strengthen brand presence and develop new business leads.
  • Collaborate with Sales leadership to establish regional revenue goals and report regularly on pipeline activity and progress against targets.
• Waste Services:
  • Partner with the Waste Services Team to identify, evaluate, and onboard new hazardous and non-hazardous disposal vendors that expand GrayMar’s service capabilities, geographic coverage, and regulatory compliance.
  • Develop competitive pricing strategies for both hazardous and non-hazardous waste streams that support winning business proposals while protecting margin integrity and ensuring full regulatory compliance.
  • Review and continuously enhance waste channel logistics to identify cost efficiencies, improve turnaround times, reduce liability exposure, and deliver greater value to customers.
  • Maintain current knowledge of federal, state, and local hazardous waste regulations (RCRA, DOT, EPA, state-specific requirements) and ensure all vendor relationships and disposal practices remain compliant.
  • Evaluate vendor performance on an ongoing basis, including manifest accuracy, compliance records, turnaround performance, and pricing competitiveness, making recommendations to maintain a strong and reliable disposal network.
  • Collaborate on the development of waste management solutions for complex projects involving mixed waste streams, characteristic and listed hazardous wastes, and regulatory-sensitive materials.
  • Support proposal development with accurate waste cost modeling, logistics planning, and regulatory analysis for both hazardous and non-hazardous waste components.
• Operations:
  • Work with the Operations Team and Waste Coordinators to drive field-level efficiencies, including safe handling of hazardous and non-hazardous materials, OSHA and EPA compliance, and cost-conscious project management.
  • Apply thorough knowledge of OSHA standards (29 CFR 1910 and 1926), HAZWOPER requirements, and environmental regulations to support safe, compliant field operations across all project types.
  • Identify operational bottlenecks and implement process improvements that enhance productivity, reduce costs, minimize regulatory risk, and improve safety outcomes.
  • Ensure consistent application of GrayMar’s health and safety standards across all projects and field activities, reinforcing a culture of safety in every interaction.
  • Serve as a technical resource and problem-solver for field teams encountering complex waste, compliance, or operational challenges in the field.
  • Coordinate cross-functionally with Project Managers, Waste Coordinators, and other stakeholders to ensure seamless project delivery and client satisfaction.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration & Reporting:
  • Maintain clear and consistent communication with Sales, Waste Services, Operations, and senior leadership regarding business development activity, waste program performance, and operational improvement initiatives.
  • Prepare and present reports on pipeline activity, waste channel performance, and operational metrics.
  • Participate in strategic planning sessions and contribute insights from field experience and market expertise to inform company-wide direction.

Qualifications

• Established network of environmental services clients and disposal vendor relationships across Western U.S. markets (Utah, Colorado, Nevada, Washington).
• Demonstrated success in a senior-level cross-functional role combining business development, waste services management, and field operations within the environmental industry.
• Advanced knowledge of hazardous waste characterization, profiling, manifesting, and disposal under RCRA and applicable state programs.
• Experience with emergency response operations and time-critical hazardous materials management.
• Familiarity with environmental remediation project types, including soil and groundwater remediation, hazmat cleanups, and industrial waste management.
• Proficiency with CRM platforms, proposal development tools, and waste tracking or manifest management systems.
• Education and Experience:
  • Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, Environmental Engineering, Occupational Health and Safety, Business, or a related field; equivalent years of directly relevant industry experience will be considered.
  • Minimum 15 years of progressive experience in environmental services, hazardous waste management, remediation, or a closely related field, with demonstrated advancement into senior or leadership roles.
  • Comprehensive knowledge of OSHA regulations applicable to environmental and hazardous waste operations, including 29 CFR 1910.120 (HAZWOPER), 29 CFR 1910 General Industry Standards, and 29 CFR 1926 Construction Standards.
  • Extensive hands-on experience managing both hazardous and non-hazardous waste streams, including characterization, profiling, transportation compliance (DOT 49 CFR), and disposal vendor management.
  • Proven track record in business development, client relationship management, and revenue growth within the environmental or industrial services sector.
  • Strong knowledge of federal and state environmental regulations governing hazardous waste (RCRA Subtitle C), non-hazardous waste (RCRA Subtitle D), and related EPA requirements.
  • Demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally and manage multiple complex priorities in a fast-paced, field-driven environment.
  • Excellent communication, negotiation, and executive-level presentation skills.
  • Valid driver’s license with clean driving record; ability to travel extensively (50%+ travel expected).
  • 40-Hour HAZWOPER certification with current 8-Hour Annual Refresher required.
  • OSHA 30-Hour General Industry or Construction certification preferred.