Executive General Manager, Permitting & Community Relations #0405KC

Our client is seeking an Executive General Manager, Permitting & Community Relations to lead one of the most critical functions in the long-term development of a major mining and resource project in Colorado. This is a senior leadership opportunity for a strategic, credible, and highly effective external-facing executive who can guide permitting strategy, build community trust, and help position the organization for sustainable long-term success.

As Executive General Manager, Permitting & Community Relations, you will be responsible for shaping and leading the permitting, stakeholder engagement, and community integration strategy across the life cycle of the asset — from development and approvals through construction, startup, operations, and future expansion. You will serve as a key advisor to the broader leadership team, ensuring the organization takes a disciplined, proactive, and transparent approach to regulatory strategy, local relationships, social license, and reputational risk.

This role requires a leader who can operate effectively at both strategic and practical levels: someone who understands the complexity of resource development, the importance of community credibility, and the value of building respectful, lasting relationships across multiple stakeholder groups. You will play a central role in helping establish a culture grounded in safety, accountability, responsiveness, and long-term stewardship.

This is a career-oriented role with a long-term view and is based in Western Slope, Colorado, with substantial travel requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the overall permitting and community relations strategy for a major mining/resource development in Colorado.
• Develop and execute permitting roadmaps that support project timelines, risk mitigation, construction readiness, operations, and long-term expansion plans.
• Build, maintain, and strengthen trusted relationships with local communities, landowners, regulatory bodies, elected officials, Indigenous stakeholders where relevant, and other key external parties.
• Serve as a senior representative of the organization in community, regulatory, and stakeholder settings, helping build credibility and protect the company’s reputation.
• Partner closely with environmental, technical, legal, operations, project development, and executive leadership teams to ensure aligned and integrated decision-making.
• Anticipate and manage reputational, regulatory, and stakeholder risks, ensuring issues are identified early and addressed effectively.
• Lead community engagement strategies that reflect transparency, responsiveness, and a genuine commitment to long-term local partnership.
• Provide guidance on permitting requirements, approvals strategy, public processes, and regulatory pathways in support of complex project development.
• Build and lead a high-performing team across permitting, external affairs, stakeholder engagement, and community relations.
• Help shape organizational policies and internal practices that support responsible development, social license, and long-term sustainability.
• Support workforce and regional integration efforts by helping position the company as a credible, committed, and constructive presence in the region.
• Contribute to executive-level planning related to project risk, business continuity, growth strategy, and stakeholder-facing priorities.

• Proven senior leadership experience in permitting, community relations, external affairs, public affairs, or stakeholder engagement within mining, natural resources, energy, infrastructure, or other complex regulated industries.
• Strong understanding of the permitting environment and stakeholder landscape associated with large-scale industrial or resource development projects.
• Demonstrated ability to build trust and credibility with a wide range of stakeholders, including regulators, local communities, government representatives, and internal leadership teams.
• Experience leading sensitive or high-profile issues where reputation, timing, and stakeholder confidence were critical.
• The ability to think strategically while managing detail, process, and execution in a disciplined way.
• A leadership style that is self-starting, pragmatic, resilient, and grounded in sound judgment.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to represent the organization with clarity, diplomacy, and credibility in public and private settings.
• Strong people leadership capabilities, with experience building and mentoring teams in dynamic and evolving environments.
• A demonstrated commitment to responsible development, long-term relationship building, and a “without harm” mindset to people, reputation, assets, and business continuity.
• The ability to navigate complexity, assess risk thoughtfully, and move issues toward constructive outcomes.

Preferred Background

• Experience in mining, mineral resources, energy, or similarly regulated project-based industries.
• Familiarity with western U.S. permitting frameworks, rural stakeholder environments, and multi-party regulatory processes.
• Experience supporting greenfield or large-scale project development is highly desirable.
• Bachelor’s degree in environmental policy, public affairs, communications, political science, law, natural resources, or a related field; advanced qualifications helpful but not required.
• Experience working in regions where community confidence and long-term social license are essential to project success.

Competitive base compensation and incentive opportunity.

The opportunity to take on a pivotal leadership role in a significant long-term resource development.

Executive visibility and the chance to influence both project success and regional impact.

A collaborative environment with strong leadership support and meaningful scope for long-term contribution.

Career growth, purpose-driven work, and the ability to help shape something important for decades to come.

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Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: Both Keller Executive Search and our clients are Equal Opportunity Employers. For all positions, whether with Keller Executive Search or our clients, qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, skin color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other legally protected status. 

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• Rhode Island: We do not request or require salary history from applicants. 

• Connecticut: We provide wage range information upon request or before discussing compensation. 

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Note: This job posting may be for a position with Keller Executive Search or one of our clients. The specific employer will be identified during the application and interview process. Employment laws and requirements may vary depending on the employer and location.