Director of Geospatial Technical Services

SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking a Director of Geospatial Technical Services to scale companywide geospatial enablement capabilities and strengthen consistency, quality, and innovation across SWCA. This role is designed to help convert geospatial and remote sensing technical services from a high-value technical function into a more deliberate enterprise capability. The role will focus on standardizing delivery patterns, supporting digital transformation, and enabling practical, governed applications of AI within geospatial workflows.  

This Director will operate as a cross-functional enablement leader and technical authority, partnering across Technology, Operations, Delivery, Science & Technical, and Client Services to improve how geospatial and remote sensing capabilities are developed, adopted, and executed at scale. The role will focus on building repeatable workflows, reusable delivery components, adoption models, and training approaches that reduce variability across regions and programs while improving defensibility, efficiency, and client outcomes. 

The successful candidate will bring a forward-looking perspective on geospatial science, digital delivery, and emerging technologies, while also serving as a visible technical ambassador for SWCA in the marketplace. This individual will maintain awareness of industry, scientific, and regulatory trends; strengthen SWCA’s external credibility through technical leadership and professional networks; and help position the company to respond effectively to changing client expectations and evolving market opportunities. 

This role is ideal for a leader who thrives in complex, matrixed environments and is energized by building systems, creating alignment, and enabling others to deliver high-quality technical work consistently across the enterprise. The Director will report to a Vice President of Practice Technology and may be based in any SWCA office or be fully distributed within the U.S. The role will be in close partnership and collaboration with the Director of Geospatial Services. 

A letter of interest and resume are required for this application

Application deadline: Our team will begin reviewing applications immediately, and interviews will be scheduled with qualified candidates on a rolling basis. The application process will remain open until we have received a robust pool of qualified candidates. Once we have identified suitable individuals, we may close the application process without prior notice. We appreciate the time and effort invested by all applicants and will carefully consider each submission.

Enterprise Geospatial Enablement and Delivery Standardization 

• Establish and maintain repeatable geospatial delivery patterns that improve consistency, quality, and scalability across teams, regions, and programs. 
• Build and evolve reusable workflows, QA/QC expectations, templates, and technical components that enable more efficient and defensible delivery. 
• Translate enterprise priorities into practical geospatial standards, operating models, and enablement assets that support broad adoption across the organization. 
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that reduce variability in delivery execution and strengthen the quality and transparency of geospatial services. 

AI Enablement and Enterprise Adoption 

• Translate AI strategy into operational geospatial workflows through structured pilots, training, adoption programs, and governance-aligned implementation. 
• Lead the development of adoption playbooks and sustainment models that move geospatial initiatives from rollout into durable, day-to-day operational use. 
• Support enterprise adoption of Field Data Collection and future technology-enabled workflows by helping teams implement standard approaches and continuous-improvement mechanisms. 
• Help the organization move AI-enabled geospatial capabilities from experimentation to repeatable business value by creating patterns that teams can apply consistently. 
• Work in close collaboration with other technology and science and technical leadership to align priorities, and identify opportunities for collaboration. 

Cross-Functional Enablement 

• Serve as a clear technical interface across Delivery, Science & Technical, and Client Services to improve coordination, reduce friction, and strengthen alignment around geospatial solutioning and execution. 
• Support complex pursuits and strategic opportunities by helping define technical solution approaches, scope guardrails, and repeatable delivery assumptions. 
• Partner with leaders across the business to ensure geospatial capabilities are integrated into broader delivery systems, standards, and strategic initiatives. 
• Champion clear communication and thoughtful change management so new tools, workflows, and technical standards are understood, adopted, and sustained across the organization. 

External Technical Authority and Market Credibility 

• Maintain connection to emerging industry, regulatory, and scientific trends that shape geospatial delivery and technical differentiation in the market. 
• Strengthen SWCA’s external credibility by participating in and contributing to professional, scientific, regulatory, and industry networks. 
• Elevate SWCA’s technical reputation by fostering thought leadership, supporting the dissemination of best practices, and helping technical teams share compelling expertise with clients and external audiences. 
• Help identify short- and long-term opportunities for SWCA to strengthen technical differentiation and respond to evolving market demands. 

Technical Leadership and Capability Building 

• Lead and develop Practice Technology technical staff, including the remote sensing team, by strengthening capability, supporting professional growth, and planning for future technical capacity needs. 
• Mentor and influence technical leaders and subject matter experts across the organization to support knowledge-sharing, quality, and consistent application of standards. 
• Help build the structure, capability, and technical depth needed to sustain a high-performing geospatial function as enterprise demand grows. 
• Foster a culture that values collaboration, accountability, learning, innovation, and disciplined experimentation in support of enterprise growth. 

WHO WILL THRIVE HERE   

You will thrive in this role if you are energized by building structure where complexity is increasing, helping teams adopt stronger ways of working, and creating systems that allow technical expertise to be delivered more consistently and effectively at scale. You enjoy translating strategy into practical execution, partnering across functions, and helping others succeed through clear standards, strong enablement, and disciplined innovation. 

You are also motivated by strengthening SWCA’s technical credibility in the marketplace—staying close to emerging science, regulation, and industry developments; cultivating strong professional networks; and helping position SWCA as a trusted, forward-looking technical leader. 

OPERATING MODEL 

This role is designed to enable, facilitate, and build technical capability across the organization. It is accountable for geospatial standards, workflows, adoption models, AI enablement for geospatial workflows, and enterprise delivery patterns. It is not intended to own sales goals, specific P&L responsibilities, or service line authority. 

The Director will work through influence and partnership across SWCA’s matrixed structure, helping teams adopt stronger delivery models and more consistent technical approaches without duplicating the responsibilities of operational leadership, service-line authority, or client-account ownership. 

Minimum Qualifications 

• Previous experience in the application of GIS or remote sensing within the environmental consulting, AEC, or a related industry. 
• Bachelor’s degree in geography, geospatial science, environmental science, computer science, engineering, or a related field. 
• Twelve (12) years of progressive experience in geospatial science, geospatial services, remote sensing, or a related technical discipline. 
• Eight (8) years in a leadership role within a consulting or professional services environment. 
• Demonstrated experience developing standards, tools, workflows, or delivery models that improve consistency across distributed teams or business units. 
• Proven ability to influence outcomes across projects, practices, and business lines, including in areas without direct authority. 
• Consistent track record of communicating highly technical concepts to a wide variety of stakeholders and organizational levels. 
• Demonstrated ability to direct high-quality, complex, interdisciplinary technical work and contribute to long-term technical strategy. 
• Strong awareness of market, technical, and regulatory trends relevant to geospatial services and digital delivery. 
• Experience mentoring others and helping build technical capability, talent pipelines, and succession depth. 
• Ability to travel to leadership meetings, industry events, client-facing engagements, and operational planning sessions as needed. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree and/or professional certification geography, geospatial science, environmental science, computer science, engineering, or a related field. 
• Experience representing a company or practice externally through technical presentations, publications, professional associations, or regulator/industry engagement. 
• Experience developing and operationalizing AI-enabled workflows, digital transformation, enterprise adoption, or field-data workflow standardization. 
• Technical knowledge of environmental consulting, project delivery systems, biological sciences, cultural resources, or other related SWCA service areas. 
• Experience working in matrixed organizations that require collaboration across operations, technical leadership, and client-facing teams. 

Key Skills and Attributes 

• Demonstrated ability to develop positive relationships with staff, technical teams, and leaders across the company. 
• Strong communication, relationship-building, and problem-solving skills. 
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and shift priorities within a fast-paced, evolving environment. 
• Exceptional organizational skills and the ability to balance strategic, technical, and adoption-focused priorities. 
• Recognized mentor of others in the context of broader organizational goals and succession efforts. 
• Comfort operating at both strategic and detailed levels depending on the needs of different stakeholders. 

Why Work at SWCA: 

We are #OneSWCA and collaborate across all our offices, programs, and disciplines. We are #AlwaysLearning, we #NeverSettle, and we #GiveBack. We are 100% employee-owned, and we build our success together. It is imperative for the successful candidate to fit SWCA's unique culture. Do you appreciate sustainability and environmental awareness? Is giving back to your community a priority? SWCA is a team of scientists, planners, technical experts, and corporate services professionals that are committed to our culture. 

Purpose: Our company purpose is to preserve natural and cultural resources for tomorrow while enabling projects that benefit people today. You are invited to be a part of our success story. 

SWCA Environmental Consultants is a growing employee-owned firm, providing a full spectrum of environmental services. With offices across the United States, SWCA is one of the largest environmental compliance firms and ranks among Engineering News-Record’s Top 200 Environmental Firms. 

If you need assistance accessing SWCA’s website, completing the online application, or require accommodations at any point during the hiring process due to a disability, please contact us at accommodations@swca.com or call 1-480-581-5378. We’re committed to providing an inclusive and supportive experience for all candidates. This contact information is specifically for accommodation requests; other inquiries will not receive a response. 

SWCA is committed to salary equity and salary transparency for all its employees.  In alignment with this commitment, SWCA posts good faith pay ranges in all its advertised job postings to promote pay equity and transparency. 

An employee in this corporate based position can expect an annual salary of: $153,580/year to $201,050/year. Actual pay within this range may depend on experience, qualifications, geographic location, client requirements where applicable, and other factors permitted by law.  Regular-status employees are also eligible for performance bonuses. Candidates are also encouraged to consider SWCA’s Total Rewards package, which includes a competitive benefits package (https://www.swca.com/careers/benefits-wellness/), forward-thinking workplace flexibility, outstanding corporate culture, award-winning career development, and more.   

EOE - women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. At SWCA Environmental Consultants, we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive work environment. We strongly encourage candidates from all backgrounds, including those with diverse experiences and veterans, to apply. We believe that a diverse and inclusive workforce enhances creativity, innovation, and overall organizational success. 

SWCA continues to invest deeply in career development programs, delivering our award-winning Career Landscape support resources to accelerate the growth of our staff. We recognize the valuable skills and experiences our internal team members bring to SWCA’s continued success. Qualified internal candidates are encouraged to apply and will be seriously considered for this position. We believe in promoting from within, where possible, providing our existing employees with compelling opportunities to advance their careers. 

#LI-AO1