Project Manager, Permit & Communications Lead

KBR Sustainable Technology Solutions (STS) delivers holistic, value‑added solutions across the entire asset life cycle, including licensed process technologies, advisory services, technical expertise, energy transition solutions, high‑end design, and smart solutions to optimize assets. KBR is seeking a Permit & Communications Lead to provide overall leadership of permitting, communications, and stakeholder engagement for a multi‑billion‑dollar GMP manufacturing program in the Greater Richmond, VA area. The role serves as the client’s primary regulatory, governmental, and external stakeholder interface within the PMC team and is responsible for establishing permitting and communications governance, overseeing regulatory approvals and permit compliance, directing stakeholder and community engagement strategies, managing contractor performance, and aligning project objectives with external requirements.

Responsibilities

• 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 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 integrate permitting requirements 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 for emerging risks.
• Lead 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 incorporate permitting activities, approvals, and stakeholder commitments into the overall project schedule and execution strategy.
• Coordinate permitting activities associated with GMP manufacturing facilities, laboratories, utilities, warehousing, and support infrastructure.
• Support project readiness activities related to regulatory inspections and occupancy approvals.
• Coordinate with Quality, Validation, and Operations teams regarding regulatory commitments.
• Oversee environmental permitting and compliance activities, including air permits, stormwater permits, wastewater permits, hazardous materials requirements, and agency reporting obligations.
• Ensure permit conditions and environmental commitments are incorporated into project execution plans and contractor requirements.
• Provide regular performance reporting and strategic recommendations to PMC and client leadership regarding permitting status, regulatory compliance, stakeholder concerns, and communications effectiveness.
• Promote a culture of safety, compliance, transparency, and accountability in all interactions with regulatory agencies, stakeholders, and project teams.

Required Education, Experience, & Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Environmental Science, Environmental Management, Public Policy, Communications, Planning, Construction Management, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 10 years of experience supporting permitting, stakeholder engagement, environmental compliance, communications, or project management on major capital projects (including projects exceeding $500 million total installed cost).
• Experience managing permitting, regulatory affairs, environmental compliance, stakeholder engagement, communications, or infrastructure delivery teams on major capital projects.
• Strong knowledge of engineering governance, design management, and project delivery processes.
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical decision‑making and stakeholder alignment.
• Strong leadership and stakeholder‑management capabilities.
• Experience directing and evaluating performance of permitting consultants, communications consultants, stakeholder‑engagement firms, and regulatory support contractors, including review and approval of deliverables.

Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills

• Experience supporting pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or other GMP‑regulated facilities.
• Prior experience in an Owner’s Representative or PMC role for major capital projects exceeding $1 billion total installed cost.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license and/or PMP certification.
• Experience supporting FDA inspections, commissioning, startup, and operational readiness activities.

Benefits

KBR offers a competitive lifestyle benefits package that may include a 401(k) plan with company match, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, AD&D, flexible spending accounts, disability coverage, paid time off, and flexible work schedules. The company supports career advancement through professional training and development.