Environmental & Permitting Principal

Our client is a copper and nickel joint venture advancing one of the most significant mining projects in the Upper Midwest. The NorthMet project is high-visibility, heavily watched, and moving into active construction-prep. The regulatory environment is complex, the stakes are real, and they need an experienced environmental professional to own it.

This isn't a support role. You're running the program.

What You'll Do

You'll lead daily operations of the environmental team, managing staff, contractors, and consultants across a project that requires steady hands and deep technical knowledge. Your work will span local, state, and federal permitting and compliance for all NorthMet site and construction activities.

Air permitting is your home turf. You'll serve as the subject matter expert, with direct accountability for the air compliance program, and you'll build the internal frameworks, SOPs, and tracking systems that keep the team ahead of regulatory requirements.

You'll also manage relationships with external consultants, support regulatory inspections and audits, lead documentation and response coordination, and prepare monthly compliance reports for leadership. Staff development is part of the job too, keeping the team sharp on regulatory awareness as the project evolves.

What You Bring

Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, or a related field (advanced degree preferred)
Professional engineering license or equivalent designation preferred
10+ years of progressive experience in environmental permitting and compliance, ideally in mining or complex project environments
5+ years with a focused background in air permitting and compliance
Demonstrated expertise in federal, state, and local environmental permitting frameworks
Proven track record leading multidisciplinary environmental programs and working directly with regulatory agencies
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including comfort in public and regulatory settings
Ability to build and maintain compliance tracking systems that hold up under scrutiny
Valid driver's license with a clean driving record
Willingness to be based in Hoyt Lakes, MN

Why This Role

Real leadership responsibility. You're not supporting an environmental program, you're running one, at the center of one of the region's most closely watched mine permitting and compliance efforts.

The team is technically strong and takes safety and environmental stewardship seriously. The JV structure is stable and well-backed. And the compensation reflects the weight of the role.

We understand no candidate will meet every single desired qualification. If your experience looks a little different from what we've identified and you think you can bring value to the role, we'd love to learn more about you!

Heather Simoens
970-209-2890
Heather@MRCrecruiting.com