Senior Director - Environmental Counsel
Director/Senior Director, Environmental Law
We are partnering with a fast-growing, publicly traded technology and energy company seeking a Director/Senior Director, Environmental Law to join its legal team in San Jose, California.
Reporting to the Vice President of Environmental and Regulatory Law, this attorney will serve as a strategic legal advisor across environmental, land use, health and safety, sustainability, and regulatory matters. The role will partner closely with business teams supporting project development, operations, manufacturing, service, policy, commercial activities, and compliance.
The ideal candidate will bring deep environmental law experience, strong business judgment, and the ability to navigate complex regulatory environments while developing practical, compliant solutions.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide strategic legal advice on environmental, land use, health and safety, sustainability, and regulatory matters affecting operations, projects, products, and services.
- Support project development, including environmental review, permitting, due diligence, entitlements, and dispute resolution.
- Advise on federal, state, local, and international environmental regulatory requirements involving air, water, waste, hazardous materials, occupational safety, climate, and sustainability.
- Interface with federal, state, and local regulatory agencies regarding permitting, compliance, enforcement, and other regulatory matters.
- Partner cross-functionally with Sales, Finance, Engineering, Operations, Service, Quality, Policy, Commercial, and Legal teams to assess risk and develop practical solutions.
- Provide legal support for environmental and land use disputes, administrative proceedings, negotiations, and litigation strategy.
- Counsel on matters involving CEQA, NEPA, CAA, CWA, RCRA, CERCLA, OSHA-related requirements, hazardous substances, and related state and local regulations.
- Draft and negotiate environmental, sustainability, compliance, and risk-allocation provisions in commercial agreements, project documents, real estate agreements, and transaction materials.
- Monitor emerging environmental, climate, energy, ESG, and sustainability laws and regulations and advise senior leadership on business impact.
- Manage outside counsel and consultants, including matter strategy, budgets, and workplans.
- Advise on sustainability, environmental justice, ESG due diligence, climate strategy, disclosures, reporting, and related initiatives.
Qualifications
- JD from an accredited law school and active membership in good standing with at least one state bar; California admission preferred.
- 10+ years of relevant experience across environmental law, land use, regulatory compliance, permitting, litigation, and/or project development.
- In-house experience preferred.
- Strong knowledge of CAA, CWA, RCRA, CERCLA, CEQA, NEPA, OSHA-related requirements, climate and air programs, hazardous materials regulations, and related state/local laws.
- Experience counseling businesses operating in highly regulated environments, ideally within energy, manufacturing, infrastructure, transportation, industrial operations, or emerging technology.
- Experience working directly with federal, state, and local regulatory agencies.
- Ability to navigate ambiguity and develop creative, practical, and compliant solutions.
- Strong project management and cross-functional leadership skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex legal issues into clear business recommendations.
- Experience with sustainability, ESG, environmental justice, climate, and environmental policy matters strongly preferred.
- Some domestic and international travel required.
Compensation
Base salary: $246,800 - $355,200
FAQs
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