Project Lead Jobs in Columbus, OH
Project Lead jobs in Columbus are in strong demand, concentrated in the Short North, downtown, and the Easton area across tech, healthcare, and construction sectors. Employers hiring right now include Bayer, The Waldinger Corporation, and JLL. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find Project Lead JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 122+ Project Lead jobs
Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc. (CEC) is seeking a FERC Senior Project Manager for ecological and environmental permitting with significant Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) experience in our Columbus, OH office. This position is intended for an experienced practitioner, trusted client advisor, and proven business developer who can provide senior technical direction, lead complex FERC-regulated natural gas transmission and energy infrastructure projects, and support continued growth of CEC’s energy and environmental permitting services across the firm’s national footprint. CEC’s Ecological Practice is an essential part of the integrated services we deliver to clients and includes wetland and stream assessments, delineations, and mitigation; Section 401/404 permitting; threatened and endangered species surveys; NEPA and FERC environmental reporting; agency consultation; and ecosystem restoration. In this role, you will work closely with local, regional, and national leadership to manage multidisciplinary project teams, develop and maintain client relationships, identify and capture new business opportunities, provide strategic regulatory guidance, mentor staff, and deliver high-quality, defensible environmental documents and permit applications for energy, utility, midstream, transmission, and infrastructure projects throughout the United States.
Why CEC?
- We’re 100% Employee-Owned, and all full-time employees can become owners within their first year
- Clear career path with opportunities to grow into senior project management, market leadership, technical leadership, or practice leadership roles
- Profitable, employee-centered culture: 55% of company profits are returned to our employees through our annual bonus pool
- Comprehensive benefits start on Day 1, including health, vision, dental, life, disability, pet insurance, FSA/HSA, and more
- 401(k) with company match plus up to 2% profit-sharing contribution, fully vested starting the first of the month after you join
- Collaborative, flexible workplace, with hybrid options that support work–life balance and professional autonomy
- Culture that values innovation, mentorship, community involvement, and cross-disciplinary collaboration
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Ecology, Biology, Environmental Science, Environmental Planning, or a related technical field
- Significant experience preparing, managing, or providing senior review of FERC environmental filings, including Blanket Certificate/Prior Notice requests, Section 7(c) certificate applications, environmental reports, resource reports, implementation plans, and agency correspondence
- Strong working knowledge of NEPA, FERC regulations and processes, Section 401/404 Clean Water Act permitting, Section 7 Endangered Species Act consultation, and related state and federal environmental permitting requirements
- Demonstrated ability to develop and expand business opportunities, grow revenue, and build a sustainable book of work within the FERC, energy, utility, midstream, or environmental permitting markets
- Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams, manage complex scopes, schedules, and budgets, and provide senior technical guidance to project managers, ecological staff, and environmental specialists
- Willingness to travel as needed to support client relationships, project delivery, agency meetings, industry events, mentoring, and business development efforts across CEC’s national footprint
- Demonstrated commitment to mentoring staff, building technical capability, supporting practice growth, and contributing to CEC’s senior leadership, integrated services, and personal business relationship model
We have support! We have a variety of Employee Resource Groups, including CEC Community – focused on giving back to the communities in which we work; CEC Ignite – focused on helping professionals early in their careers to develop their pathway; CEC iDEA – focused on inclusion, diversity, equality, and acceptance; and CEC Women – focused on creating internal and external opportunities for women to network and leverage professional experience!
We care about our people! People and Culture are two of the five elements of our strategic plan. When you care about your people, they will want to grow a career with you – that is our goal. CEC offers you a small-firm work environment with large-firm opportunities. Not only will we help you develop professionally, but we will also provide an opportunity to become an owner of the firm and share in its success.
CEC offers a matching 401(k); profit sharing; a performance bonus; company stock; medical dental, and vision insurance; short and long-term disability; tuition assistance; professional development; and work-life balance.
CEC is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. We do not discriminate in recruiting, hiring or promotion based on race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, transgender status), national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status or any other basis or characteristic prohibited by applicable federal, state, or local law.
THIRD PARTY RECRUITERS
Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc. (CEC) is seeking a FERC Senior Project Manager for ecological and environmental permitting with significant Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) experience in our Columbus, OH office. This position is intended for an experienced practitioner, trusted client advisor, and proven business developer who can provide senior technical direction, lead complex FERC-regulated natural gas transmission and energy infrastructure projects, and support continued growth of CEC’s energy and environmental permitting services across the firm’s national footprint. CEC’s Ecological Practice is an essential part of the integrated services we deliver to clients and includes wetland and stream assessments, delineations, and mitigation; Section 401/404 permitting; threatened and endangered species surveys; NEPA and FERC environmental reporting; agency consultation; and ecosystem restoration. In this role, you will work closely with local, regional, and national leadership to manage multidisciplinary project teams, develop and maintain client relationships, identify and capture new business opportunities, provide strategic regulatory guidance, mentor staff, and deliver high-quality, defensible environmental documents and permit applications for energy, utility, midstream, transmission, and infrastructure projects throughout the United States.
Why CEC?
- We’re 100% Employee-Owned, and all full-time employees can become owners within their first year
- Clear career path with opportunities to grow into senior project management, market leadership, technical leadership, or practice leadership roles
- Profitable, employee-centered culture: 55% of company profits are returned to our employees through our annual bonus pool
- Comprehensive benefits start on Day 1, including health, vision, dental, life, disability, pet insurance, FSA/HSA, and more
- 401(k) with company match plus up to 2% profit-sharing contribution, fully vested starting the first of the month after you join
- Collaborative, flexible workplace, with hybrid options that support work–life balance and professional autonomy
- Culture that values innovation, mentorship, community involvement, and cross-disciplinary collaboration
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Ecology, Biology, Environmental Science, Environmental Planning, or a related technical field
- Significant experience preparing, managing, or providing senior review of FERC environmental filings, including Blanket Certificate/Prior Notice requests, Section 7(c) certificate applications, environmental reports, resource reports, implementation plans, and agency correspondence
- Strong working knowledge of NEPA, FERC regulations and processes, Section 401/404 Clean Water Act permitting, Section 7 Endangered Species Act consultation, and related state and federal environmental permitting requirements
- Demonstrated ability to develop and expand business opportunities, grow revenue, and build a sustainable book of work within the FERC, energy, utility, midstream, or environmental permitting markets
- Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams, manage complex scopes, schedules, and budgets, and provide senior technical guidance to project managers, ecological staff, and environmental specialists
- Willingness to travel as needed to support client relationships, project delivery, agency meetings, industry events, mentoring, and business development efforts across CEC’s national footprint
- Demonstrated commitment to mentoring staff, building technical capability, supporting practice growth, and contributing to CEC’s senior leadership, integrated services, and personal business relationship model
We have support! We have a variety of Employee Resource Groups, including CEC Community – focused on giving back to the communities in which we work; CEC Ignite – focused on helping professionals early in their careers to develop their pathway; CEC iDEA – focused on inclusion, diversity, equality, and acceptance; and CEC Women – focused on creating internal and external opportunities for women to network and leverage professional experience!
We care about our people! People and Culture are two of the five elements of our strategic plan. When you care about your people, they will want to grow a career with you – that is our goal. CEC offers you a small-firm work environment with large-firm opportunities. Not only will we help you develop professionally, but we will also provide an opportunity to become an owner of the firm and share in its success.
CEC offers a matching 401(k); profit sharing; a performance bonus; company stock; medical dental, and vision insurance; short and long-term disability; tuition assistance; professional development; and work-life balance.
CEC is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. We do not discriminate in recruiting, hiring or promotion based on race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, transgender status), national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status or any other basis or characteristic prohibited by applicable federal, state, or local law.
THIRD PARTY RECRUITERS
See All 122+ Project Lead Jobs in Columbus
Find roles in Columbus that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Project Lead JobsProject Lead Job Market in Columbus
Who's Hiring
- Bayer10
- The Waldinger Corporation10
- JLL5
- KALCON5
- Battelle5
Top Industries Hiring
- Staffing & Recruiting
- Consulting & Professional Services
Project Lead Jobs in Columbus: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a project lead job in Columbus?
Your best path into a project lead role in Columbus is targeting the city's dominant hiring sectors: healthcare systems on the east side, technology firms downtown, and commercial construction companies throughout the metro. Candidates who combine a PMP certification or equivalent credential with demonstrated cross-functional team experience stand out. Networking through Columbus-area PMI chapter events also opens doors that online applications alone don't.
Which companies hire project leads in Columbus?
Employers hiring project leads in Columbus right now include Bayer, The Waldinger Corporation, and JLL, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Columbus attracts a mix of large regional employers, national insurers with major operations downtown, and mid-size technology and construction firms that rely heavily on project lead talent.
Are there remote project lead jobs in Columbus?
Yes, though availability depends heavily on the role type. About 38% of project lead openings tied to Columbus are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, with the remote options concentrating in software delivery, IT infrastructure, and operations rather than construction or facilities management. Columbus-based tech and insurance employers tend to offer the most flexible arrangements.
How can I get a project lead job in Columbus with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path in Columbus is starting as a project coordinator or associate at one of the city's large healthcare systems, insurance carriers, or IT services firms, then moving into a project lead role after 12 to 18 months. Volunteering to own a workstream on an internal initiative, even in an unrelated department, builds the demonstrable ownership experience Columbus hiring managers look for before promoting or hiring at the lead level.
Which industries hire the most project leads in Columbus?
Most project lead openings in Columbus sit in Staffing & Recruiting and Consulting & Professional Services, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Columbus's identity as a headquarters city for insurance companies, a growing tech hub, and one of the Midwest's busiest commercial construction markets drives consistent demand across all three sectors.
See All 122+ Project Lead Jobs in Columbus
Find roles in Columbus that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Project Lead Jobs