Permitting Manager Jobs in Austin, TX (NOW HIRING)

Regulatory Affairs & Permitting Manager (US Power Markets)

Position Summary

The Regulatory Affairs & Permitting Manager is responsible for managing regulatory approvals, permitting activities, and entitlement processes supporting utility-scale power generation projects serving hyperscale data center clients across multiple U.S. markets. The position leads day-to-day permitting execution throughout the project development lifecycle, coordinating regulatory submissions, agency interactions, consultant activities, and approval processes required to advance projects from site selection through construction readiness. Operating across diverse regulatory environments, with an initial focus on high-growth power markets such as ERCOT and other target U.S. jurisdictions, the position plays a key role in advancing projects by ensuring permitting activities, regulatory approvals, and development efforts remain aligned with applicable regulatory requirements and commercial objectives. Working closely with Development, Engineering, Commercial, Environmental, and external stakeholders, the role ensures permitting activities remain aligned with project schedules, regulatory requirements, and overall development objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage permitting and entitlement activities for utility-scale power generation and energy infrastructure projects.
• Develop project-specific permitting plans, approval schedules, and regulatory action plans.
• Coordinate permit applications and regulatory submissions across multiple jurisdictions.
• Monitor permitting progress and proactively address schedule risks or approval delays.
• Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, county, and municipal regulations.
• Support site selection by evaluating permitting feasibility and regulatory constraints.
• Conduct preliminary regulatory assessments during site screening activities.
• Identify permitting risks, approval timelines, and jurisdiction-specific development considerations.
• Support land-use approvals, rezoning applications, conditional use permits, variances, and development agreements.
• Build and maintain productive working relationships with permitting authorities and governmental agencies.
• Coordinate meetings with planning departments, environmental agencies, zoning boards, and regulatory organizations.
• Represent the company during permitting processes, public hearings, regulatory meetings, and governmental engagements.
• Support community engagement activities related to permitting and project approvals.
• Coordinate environmental permitting activities including air quality, water, wetlands, stormwater, endangered species, and other environmental approvals where applicable.
• Ensure permit applications and supporting documentation comply with regulatory requirements. • Monitor regulatory changes affecting project development activities.
• Maintain permitting records and regulatory documentation throughout the project lifecycle.
• Manage environmental and permitting consultants, land-use attorneys, technical advisors, and regulatory specialists supporting project development and approvals.
• Maintain and leverage a network of permitting consultants, environmental experts, land-use attorneys, and regulatory advisors across multiple U.S. jurisdictions.
• Coordinate the selection, engagement, and day-to-day management of external advisors based on project and jurisdictional requirements.
• Review consultant deliverables and monitor scope, schedule, quality, performance, and budget alignment.
• Ensure external resources are effectively coordinated with internal project teams and regulatory approval processes.
• Support commercial and customer-facing discussions by translating permitting requirements, regulatory constraints, and approval risks into clear business implications.
• Provide regulatory and permitting analysis to senior management and executive leadership to support informed decisions regarding project development opportunities, constraints, and risks.
• Prepare permitting status reports, risk assessments, approval scenarios, and management updates.
• Collaborate with Development, Commercial, Engineering, Grid & Interconnection, and Project Management teams to ensure regulatory considerations are incorporated into project planning and execution.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning, Environmental Science, Engineering, Public Administration, Environmental Policy, Law, or a related discipline.
• 7–10+ years of experience in regulatory affairs, permitting, land development, or infrastructure project development.
• Experience managing permitting activities for large-scale infrastructure, energy, industrial, or data center developments.
• Strong understanding of federal, state, county, and municipal regulatory frameworks.
• Experience coordinating complex permitting and entitlement processes across multiple jurisdictions.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects, stakeholders, consultants, and regulatory processes simultaneously.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience operating within ERCOT and/or other U.S. ISO markets, including PJM, MISO, and SPP.
• Background within Independent Power Producers (IPPs), infrastructure developers, utilities, hyperscale data center developers, or energy-focused law firms.
• Familiarity with environmental permitting and land-use approvals across multiple U.S. jurisdictions.
• Existing relationships with permitting agencies, planning authorities, and environmental consultants are considered an advantage.

Why Join Us? Joining our group at this pivotal stage offers a rare opportunity to contribute to the commercialization of a large-scale 20 GW power portfolio, supporting the development of utility-scale energy solutions serving hyperscale data center clients across the United States. This role provides a unique opportunity to play a key role in permitting and regulatory execution at the core of project development, helping advance large-scale power infrastructure projects across complex and rapidly evolving U.S. power markets. As a key member of a strategically driven and high-performing team, you will operate at the intersection of regulatory frameworks, grid access, project development, and commercial decision making, supporting cross-functional teams in navigating development complexity and advancing critical infrastructure projects. The position offers meaningful ownership of permitting activities and regulatory approvals, together with the opportunity to help build and scale a rapidly growing power platform across multiple U.S. regions. You will work closely with senior leadership, development teams, and external stakeholders to manage regulatory risks, support successful project execution, and contribute to the long-term growth of the company's presence within the U.S. energy market.