Manager Environmental Sciences-Natural Resources

Charlotte, NC; Raleigh, NC; Huntersville, NC; Plainfield, IN; St. Petersburg, FL7+ years

Important Application Submission Information

In order to ensure your application is successfully received before the job posting expires, please submit your application by 11:59 PM on Monday, August 31, 2026

More than a career - a chance to make a difference in people's lives.

Build an exciting, rewarding career with us – help us make a difference for millions of people every day. Consider joining the Duke Energy team, where you'll find a friendly work environment, opportunities for growth and development, recognition for your work, and competitive pay and benefits.

Position Summary

The Manager, Natural Resources provides leadership, strategic direction, and oversight for Duke Energy's Natural Resources organization within Environmental Sciences. This role is responsible for managing a multidisciplinary team of environmental professionals supporting natural resource compliance, permitting, policy implementation, environmental stewardship, and business-critical operations across the company's generation, transmission, distribution, and renewable energy portfolios.

The Manager leads the development and execution of enterprise natural resource programs, including protected species and habitats, avian protection, cultural and historic resources, federal and state lands permitting, environmental policy and regulatory support, and associated environmental review processes. The position serves as a key interface with business units, regulatory agencies, consultants, and external stakeholders to ensure compliance obligations are met while supporting reliable energy production, infrastructure development, and operational excellence.

The role is responsible for employee safety, organizational leadership, resource planning, budgeting, customer engagement, regulatory risk management, and continuous improvement initiatives that align environmental stewardship with Duke Energy's operational and strategic priorities.

Responsibilities

Natural Resources Program Leadership and Team Management

Lead, develop, and manage the Natural Resources organization, including strategic planning, budgeting, workforce planning, employee development, performance management, succession planning, and employee engagement.
Establish organizational goals, priorities, and performance expectations that align with Environmental Sciences, EHS, and business unit objectives.
Direct the planning and execution of enterprise natural resource programs, including:
- Protected Species, Pollinators, and Habitat Conservation
- Avian Protection
- Cultural and Historic Resources
- Federal and State Lands Permitting
- Natural Resource Policy and Regulatory Review
- Environmental Reviews and General Natural Resources Support
Ensure effective project intake, prioritization, resource allocation, and delivery of high-quality environmental services to internal customers.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives, operational excellence, knowledge management, training, communication, and project management processes.
Develop service models, operational plans, guidance documents, and business processes that improve efficiency, consistency, and environmental outcomes.

Regulatory and Strategic Leadership

Provide strategic leadership for natural resource compliance, environmental permitting, licensing, and regulatory support activities.
Monitor emerging environmental regulations, policies, and industry trends and assess impacts to company operations and projects.
Establish consistent enterprise approaches for managing environmental risk and ensuring compliance with applicable federal, state, and local requirements.
Support audits, corrective actions, compliance assessments, risk evaluations, and management system implementation.
Partner with Environmental Sciences leadership to establish long-term strategy, priorities, and organizational direction.
Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership regarding natural resource issues, regulatory developments, environmental risks, and business impacts.

Business Unit, Agency, and Stakeholder Engagement

Build and maintain strong relationships with internal customers, including Power Grid Operations, Nuclear, Regulated and Renewable Energy, Natural Gas, Legal, Government Affairs, Public Policy and Sustainability, Real Estate, and Corporate Communications.
Represent Duke Energy with federal and state regulatory agencies, tribal organizations, conservation groups, industry organizations, consultants, and other external stakeholders.
Facilitate environmental review, permitting, and consultation activities required to support infrastructure development, operations, maintenance activities, and capital projects.
Ensure effective communication, coordination, and alignment between Environmental Sciences and supported business units.
Promote collaboration, accountability, customer satisfaction, and effective environmental stewardship across the enterprise.

Basic/Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Safety, Science or Engineering
Minimum 7 years related work experience
In lieu of bachelor's degree and 7 years' experience, 15 years related work experience

Desired Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Wildlife Biology, Ecology, Natural Resources, Environmental Planning, Environmental Policy, Cultural Resources, or related field.
Minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible experience in environmental compliance, natural resources management, permitting, regulatory affairs, or related disciplines.
Minimum of 3 years of leadership, supervisory, or management experience.
Advanced degree in Environmental Science, Natural Resources, Ecology, Environmental Policy, Public Administration, or related field.
Demonstrated experience managing multidisciplinary environmental programs and teams.
Strong working knowledge of federal and state natural resource regulations and permitting requirements.
Experience working with utility operations, energy infrastructure development, environmental permitting, and agency consultation processes.
Proven ability to lead organizational change, manage complex stakeholder relationships, and drive continuous improvement initiatives.

Additional Preferred Qualifications

Strategic leadership and organizational management.
Natural resource permitting, compliance, and environmental risk management.
Federal and state agency consultation and stakeholder engagement.
Budgeting, resource planning, and project portfolio management.
Environmental, Natural Resource policy, and regulatory interpretation and implementation.
Team development, coaching, and performance management.
Executive-level communication and presentation skills.
Ability to balance environmental stewardship with operational and business objectives.
Strong collaboration, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
Ability to influence outcomes across diverse business functions and organizational levels.

Working Conditions

Onsite Mobility Classification – Work will be performed at a company facility.

Specific Requirements

Valid driver's license

Travel Requirements

5-15%

Relocation Assistance Provided (as applicable)

Yes

Represented/Union Position

Visa Sponsored Position

No. This is not a Visa Sponsored Position. This role requires the ability to work lawfully in the U.S. without employment-based immigration sponsorship, now or in the future.