ERM Swiss GmbH

Technical Director - Contaminated Land Management

📍 Lausanne, Switzerland

Role and responsibilities

Serve as the technical lead for complex soil, groundwater, and environmental remediation projects. Provide technical guidance on hydrogeological models, conceptual site models (CSM) and remedial strategy selection. Oversee the development and review of investigation programs, risk assessments, feasibility studies, and remediation designs. Ensure technical quality, regulatory compliance, and methodological excellence across all project phases. Act as principal-in-charge for high-value projects, ensuring budget, scope, and timeline performance. Advise industrial, corporate, and private equity clients on legacy liabilities, remediation strategies, and environmental risk mitigation. Build and maintain long-term client relationships and identify opportunities for business growth. Mentor, guide, and develop junior and mid-level consultants in environmental site investigation, remediation and hydrogeology. Drive internal knowledge building and contribute to the development of best practices and technical standards. Support the growth of our remediation and site investigation service line across Switzerland with focus on the German speaking part.

Team / description

We are seeking an experienced Principal Technical Consultant or Technical Director with deep technical expertise in environmental site investigation and remediation, and a strong background in hydrogeology. In this senior leadership role, you will serve as a technical authority and strategic advisor for complex site investigation, soil and groundwater contamination, and remediation projects across Switzerland and Europe. You will drive project excellence, assure high quality of deliverables, mentor our consulting teams, and support key client relationships across multiple sectors. This position is ideal for a seasoned consultant who combines expert-level technical depth with client-facing consulting skills and the ability to lead large, multi-disciplinary assignments.

Qualifications and Skills

  • Min. Master’s Degree in Hydrogeology, Geology, Environmental Engineering, or related field

  • Strong multi-year (10+) experience in environmental consulting in Switzerland with a clear focus on groundwater, contaminated sites, and remediation.

  • Proven expertise in hydrogeological modeling

  • Contaminant fate and transport and fate

  • Remediation technology selection and design

  • Regulatory framework in Switzerland

  • Strong track record in managing and overseeing large, complex consulting projects.

  • Demonstrated client-facing skills and experience advising senior stakeholders.

  • Ability to lead multi-disciplinary project teams and coach junior consultants.

  • Fluent in German and French, as well as in English