Role Overview

The Sr. Lead, Regulatory Approvals is accountable for securing regulatory approvals for capital growth projects in alignment with provincial and federal regulatory frameworks. The Sr. Lead, Regulatory Approvals is responsible for leading all social, environmental, and regulatory approvals (SERA) workstreams for project work based in Trail, British Columbia. The Sr. Lead, Regulatory Approvals will functionally report to the Superintendent, Environmental Management and will also report through a project framework to a Project Director, Growth Projects.

To be successful in this role we require someone with outstanding interpersonal and communication skills, who is skilled at building and maintaining relationships. This is vital as you will be working with many partners, including engineering and operational teams, external consultants, government agencies, Indigenous Nations, and local communities. We are looking for someone who has strong technical comprehension and writing skills, is a motivated self-starter, and can collaborate well with a team in a dynamic environment. 

Key Responsibilities

• Be a courageous safety leader, adhere to and sponsor safety and environmental rules and procedures
• Identify and secure all required approvals under relevant legislation, including provincial permits under the BC Environmental Management Act and Water Sustainability Act, and if applicable approvals or notifications under the BC Environmental Assessment Act and federal legislation
• Lead, develop and execute comprehensive strategies for regulatory approvals and Indigenous and community engagement aligned with project schedule and milestones
• Lead the preparation and submission of high-quality permitting applications ensuring appropriate internal expert, legal and senior management reviews
• Central relationship holder with regulatory agencies, Indigenous Nations, and local governments and communities in relation to the projects
• Manage application review processes, including coordinating responses to reviewer comments and negotiation of draft permit conditions
• Manage budgets, schedule, and scope of the SERA components of projects
• Identify and manage environmental, regulatory, and stakeholder risks, maintain a SERA risk register integrated with overall project risk management, and develop strategies to protect schedule, cost, and reputation
• Work closely with the project engineering, operational, construction, legal, and corporate teams to support integration of environmental and social requirements into project design and construction execution
• Provide regular reporting and briefings to senior leadership, on permitting status, Indigenous engagement progress, key risks and mitigation actions
• Performs other related duties as required

Qualifications

• Degree or diploma in a related field, such as environmental planning or environmental science, natural resource fields such as biology or forestry, engineering, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Minimum 10 years demonstrated ability leading the regulatory aspects of complex major capital projects in an industrial environment, that were subject to major permitting and/or environmental assessment processes, preferably in BC
• Specific knowledge and experience with permitting in British Columbia under the Environmental Management Act, Water Sustainability Act, and Environmental Assessment Act. Federal permitting experience is an asset
• Experience in meaningful engagement and consultation with Indigenous Nations, regulatory agencies, and other communities of interest
• Excellent leadership, communication, and negotiation skills
• Direct experience in the smelting or refining industry and experience supporting construction-phase environmental are assets

Benefits

• Annual Performance Bonus
• Profit Share Plan
• Health Spending Account
• Personal Spending Account
• Extended Health Care
• Dental and Vision Care
• Employer Paid Pension Plan
• Life Insurance and Disability Coverage
• Paid Sick Leave, Vacation, and Holidays
• Virtual Telemedicine and additional support for overall well-being
• Employer and Family Assistance Program (EFAP)