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Director of Talent Development

San Francisco, California, United States

Environmental Science Associates (ESA) is a 100% employee-owned environmental consulting firm. We plan, design, permit, mitigate, and restore for projects across our communities, infrastructure systems, open spaces, and wildlands. We are 50 years strong in 21 offices across California, the Pacific Northwest, and the Southeastern United States.

ESA is seeking a visionary Director of Talent Development to architect and lead our firm-wide talent ecosystem. From early career growth to executive leadership, you’ll design and deliver programs that empower our people to learn, lead, and thrive. This is a strategic, high-impact role for a leader who blends behavioral insight, AI innovation, and a deep commitment to inclusion and continuous improvement. This role will be based out of our San Francisco, CA office, and working on a hybrid schedule of being onsite 1-3 days per week. 

What You Will Do

Talent Strategy & Leadership Development

  • Lead and evolve career pathways, mentorship, and leadership programs from entry-level to executive.
  • Launch and scale emerging leader and executive development initiatives.
  • Oversee ESA’s Consulting 101 program to build foundational consulting and communication skills.
  • Align all development programs with ESA’s strategic goals and values.

Learning, Coaching & Performance Excellence

  • Develop and implement ESA’s Manager Expectations Framework.
  • Deliver training that equips managers to coach, develop, and retain top talent.
  • Design custom learning experiences using tools like DiSC® and behavioral analytics.
  • Reimagine performance management to foster a culture of continuous feedback and growth.

Succession Planning & Internal Mobility

  • Build a robust succession planning framework to identify and develop future leaders.
  • Partner with senior leaders to anticipate gaps and create targeted development plans.
  • Use data analytics to monitor bench strength and readiness for key roles.
  • Promote transparency and mobility across career paths.

Strategic Partnership & Culture Stewardship

  • Serve as a trusted advisor on talent, engagement, and organizational design.
  • Integrate AI and digital platforms to deliver scalable, personalized learning.
  • Champion innovation in leadership development and workforce strategy.

Inclusive Leadership & Belonging

  • Embed JEDI principles in all talent and leadership programs.
  • Foster a culture where diverse perspectives are valued and all employees feel they belong.
  • Lead and support diverse impact projects across ESA.

Client Engagement & Collaboration

  • Build trusted partnerships with internal clients to align talent strategies with business goals.
  • Translate organizational priorities into impactful people programs.
  • Facilitate leadership forums and learning sessions that spark reflection and action.

 What You Bring

  • Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business, or related field (master’s or certifications preferred).
  • 10+ years leading employee development, learning, and engagement programs.
  • Proven success in succession planning, career pathing, and leadership pipelines.
  • Expertise in learning technologies, performance management, and AI-based tools.
  • Strong communication, facilitation, and collaboration skills.
  • Strategic thinking and data-informed decision-making.
  • Change leadership experience and a passion for innovation.

What ESA Will Do For You

Joining ESA means becoming part of a close-knit team of environmental professionals who contribute to outstanding projects, improve environmental stewardship, and advance a more sustainable and resilient future for our communities and wild places.

At ESA, we provide benefits including medical, dental, and vision insurance (paid at 70% for you AND your family), annual allocations of company shares through our Employee Stock Option Program, a 401(k) plan with company match, and paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays, to name a few.

We also provide specific career development opportunities, whether you want to further your technical expertise, sharpen your business acumen, or help lead the next generation of employee-owners. We want to support you in reaching your career goals through tuition reimbursement, professional development bonuses, and attendance at conferences.

 

ESA has established multiple pay ranges tailored to the economic factors in the geographies in which ESA staff reside. For this position, the range is approximately as listed based on our anticipated hiring locations as noted in the above job details. Actual compensation is determined by several factors including but not limited to an individual’s related experience, education, skills, and the city in which the applicant lives.  

CA Pay Transparency Clause

$170,000 - $200,000 USD

Who We Are 

We are a 100% employee-owned environmental consulting firm who values diversity and inclusion and celebrate the differences that make each of us unique. Our culture is built on mutual respect, recognizing that our variety of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives leads to better solutions, which fosters our continued success for our employee-owners and clients. 

In accordance with ESA’s duty and responsibility to provide and maintain a safe workplace that is free of known hazards and to minimize the exposure to potential hazards, any employee who works from an ESA office or conducts any other in-person ESA work-related activity is required to submit their proof of vaccination status or have received an approved exemption and accommodation in states which this applies. 

If you are an applicant with a disability that requires a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process or are limited in the ability—or unable to use—the online application system and need an alternative method for applying, you may contact our Human Resources Department via email: humanresources@esassoc.com for assistance.

 Please include the following in your message so we can promptly address your request:

  • Full name
  • The best method to contact you (phone number and/or email address)
  • Title of Job Position Applied
  • Description of your accommodation request

 

ESA is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment. (EOE M/V/F/D) 

 

 

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