Senior Consulting Manager

The Senior Consulting Manager leads technical assessments, project planning, and client advisory services focused on improving lake health, water quality, ecological balance, and long-term resilience. This role combines environmental science expertise with strong project management and client-facing skills to deliver strategic solutions for public agencies, private lake associations, private residences and conservation organizations.

Location: Waukegan, IL 60085

Salary Range: $90,000 - $110,000 annually

Schedule: Full-time | On site

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Environmental Science, Limnology, Ecology, Water Resources, or related field.


• 5-8 years of experience in lake management, ecological consulting, water resources, or environmental restoration.


• Strong understanding of lake ecology, water quality processes, sediment dynamics, and watershed hydrology.


• Experience preparing management plans, monitoring programs, and technical reports.


• Demonstrated project management and client communication skills.


• Familiarity with state and federal permitting processes (e.g., dredging, aquatic plant treatment, stormwater).


• Ability to interpret data from water quality probes, sediment cores, mapping tools, and lab analyses.


• Proficiency with GIS, field instrumentation, and data visualization tools.


• Valid driver's license and ability to conduct fieldwork.

Ideal Candidate Traits

• Strategic thinker with strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.


• Comfortable leading technical conversations with clients and regulators.


• Adept at balancing multiple projects and deadlines.


• Excellent writing, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.

Key Responsibilities

• Drives strategic growth plan and manages annual budget.


• Participate in business development by identifying new opportunities and representing ILM at conferences or community meetings.


• Serve as expert consultant to clients, evaluate complex problems, and provide objective, ecologically responsible solutions.


• Establish testing protocols for field-collected data. Ensure baseline data is scientifically valid in order to serve as the basis for future project recommendations.


• Analyze field data and prepare technical reports, presentations, and recommendations tailored to client goals.


• Build and maintain strong client relationships along with sales staff, including leading meetings, presenting findings, and providing ongoing consulting guidance.


• Monitor emerging technologies, research, and innovations in limnology, watershed management, and ecological restoration.


• Ensures equipment and technology utilized by consulting team meets or exceeds industry standards and supports growth goals.


• Oversee and manage lake management consulting projects from proposal (including providing pricing) through completion, ensuring timelines, budgets, and deliverables are met.


• Lead water quality, sediment, and ecological assessments to diagnose lake issues and identify data-driven management strategies, including proactive treatments and reactive herbicide applications.


• Review and/or develop lake management plans, monitoring programs, restoration designs, long-term maintenance strategies, and other reports.


• Advise sales team on permitting requirements, regulatory compliance, and best management practices related to dredging, aquatic plant management, stormwater inputs, and watershed impacts.


• Oversee and mentor consulting staff; support quality assurance and safety protocols.


• Oversee field staff responsible for DECI inspections and wetland delineations.


• Other duties as required

Benefits & Perks

• Health insurance


• Dental insurance


• Referral Bonus


• Vision insurance


• 401(k) matching


• Life insurance


• Flexible spending accounts


• Employee assistance program


• Paid time off


• Holiday pay

We are proudly an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.