Principal Consultant - Impact Assessment and Regulatory Strategy

Lead the Future of Major Project Development Across Western and Northern Canada

Join ERM as a Principal Consultant, Impact Assessment and Regulatory Strategy and play a pivotal role in shaping some of Canada's most significant mining, infrastructure, and natural resource projects. Ideally based in Whitehorse, Yukon, this role offers a unique opportunity to influence project outcomes at the highest levels, guide clients through complex regulatory environments, and help deliver sustainable development solutions that balance business objectives, regulatory requirements, and community interests. Candidates located elsewhere in Canada who bring relevant experience and established relationships in the Yukon or Northern Canada will also be considered.

As a senior leader within ERM's regulatory and permitting practice, you will work alongside industry-leading experts, strengthen client relationships, mentor talented professionals, and contribute to the continued growth of our business across Yukon, Western Canada, and the North.

Why This Role Matters?

Major capital projects shape communities, economies, and the future of resource development. Successfully navigating regulatory and permitting requirements requires more than technical expertise. It demands strategic thinking, trusted leadership, and the ability to unite clients, Indigenous Nations, regulators, and multidisciplinary project teams around a common path forward.

In this role, you will help clients advance complex projects with confidence by developing regulatory strategies, securing critical approvals, and providing clear guidance through evolving impact assessment and permitting frameworks. Your expertise will directly influence investment decisions, project schedules, and long-term project success while helping strengthen ERM's position as a leading advisor in regulatory and permitting services across Canada.

What Your Impact Is:

Lead Regulatory Strategy for Major Capital Projects

• Define and lead impact assessment and permitting strategies that align regulatory requirements with client business objectives, investment timelines, and risk tolerance.

• Provide strategic guidance on regulatory approvals and environmental assessment pathways for major projects across Western and Northern Canada.

Be a Trusted Client Advisor

• Partner with ERM Partners, Key Account Managers, and senior client decision-makers to provide clear, defensible advice on regulatory pathways, approval risks, and schedule certainty.

• Build lasting client relationships through trusted counsel and exceptional service delivery.

Deliver Complex Approvals

• Lead the planning and execution of impact assessment applications across territorial, provincial, and federal regimes, primarily in Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and British Columbia.

• Manage regulatory engagement, information requests, Indigenous consultation activities, and stakeholder engagement processes.

Lead Multidisciplinary Teams

• Direct integrated teams of biophysical, social, and regulatory specialists to deliver regulator-ready submissions on time and within budget.

• Foster collaboration and accountability across diverse technical teams.

Drive Commercial Outcomes

• Contribute to account growth, proposal development, scope definition, and pricing strategies.

• Support ERM Partners in identifying, developing, and converting new business opportunities, particularly within Yukon.

Build ERM's Market Position

• Strengthen ERM's reputation as a trusted advisor for complex regulatory approvals through thought leadership, client excellence, and practice leadership.

• Contribute to strategic initiatives that support business growth and market expansion.

Mentor and Lead Talent

• Coach and develop senior consultants and managers.

• Establish clear expectations and reinforce ERM's standards for technical excellence, commercial discipline, and client service.

What You'll Bring:

Required

• Bachelor's degree or higher in environmental sciences, environmental engineering, environmental management, or a related field, or equivalent experience.

• 6+ years of experience in impact assessment, regulatory permitting, or senior environmental advisory roles.

• Familiarity with Canadian territorial, provincial, and federal impact assessment and permitting frameworks, including Yukon, British Columbia, Northwest Territories, and/or Nunavut.

• Proven ability to advise clients at the executive and project sponsor level, with a strong understanding of how regulatory outcomes affect capital decisions, schedules, and investment risk.

• Experience managing complex scopes of work, budgets, and multidisciplinary teams.

• Strong commercial judgment, proposal leadership, and client relationship management skills.

• Demonstrated experience working with Indigenous Nations and public stakeholders in regulatory contexts.

• Excellent writing, communication, organizational, time management, and team leadership skills.

• Ability to prioritize competing demands, meet deadlines, and inspire teams in a fast-paced environment.

• Strong commitment to safety, including following established health and safety protocols.

• Strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusiveness in the workplace.

• Driver's License Required: This position requires a valid driver's license and/or the ability to operate a vehicle due to the nature of job duties, which include frequent travel to various client locations across a large geographical area.

Preferred

• 8+ years of experience in impact assessment, regulatory permitting, or environmental advisory services.

• Experience supporting projects within Yukon.

• Experience working in British Columbia, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, or other Canadian jurisdictions.

• Experience in the mining, infrastructure, or natural resource development sectors.

• Fluency in multiple languages, including Indigenous languages and/or French.

• Demonstrated success supporting business development, account growth, and strategic client engagement.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead impact assessment and permitting strategies for major capital projects.

• Provide senior-level regulatory, environmental assessment, and permitting advice to clients.

• Manage complex project approvals across territorial, provincial, and federal regulatory frameworks.

• Lead Indigenous, stakeholder, and regulator engagement activities.

• Direct multidisciplinary project teams and oversee high-quality deliverables.

• Manage project budgets, schedules, scopes, and commercial performance.

• Support proposal development, pricing strategies, and business growth initiatives.

• Strengthen client relationships and act as a trusted strategic advisor.

• Mentor and develop consulting staff while fostering a culture of excellence and collaboration.

• Support ERM's growth and leadership within Canada's regulatory and permitting market.