Approvals Manager

Glencore Coal; Brisbane; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Glencore Coal in Brisbane seeks an Approvals Manager to lead end-to-end QLD State and Federal environmental approvals for a major mining project. You will work with internal teams, regulators and external consultants to ensure milestones are met within legislative requirements and project timelines.

Reporting to the Project Manager, you will develop strategic approvals plans, manage risks, and provide specialist guidance on planning and environmental compliance.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualifications in Environmental Science, Environmental Management, or related discipline.
• Demonstrated experience managing QLD State and Federal environmental approvals for major mining or resource development projects.
• Strong knowledge of QLD and Commonwealth planning instruments and legislation.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and execution of QLD State and Federal environmental approvals strategy.
• Coordinate external approvals consultants and technical specialists.
• Drive approvals schedules, milestones and deliverables to align with project programme.
• Identify and manage approval risks and escalate as needed to maintain progress.
• Provide specialist advice on planning and environmental legislation and approval pathways.
• Maintain relationships with government agencies, regulators, internal stakeholders, and consultants.
• Provide leadership to Approvals Coordinator and consultancy team.
• Support environmental management systems, compliance processes and reporting.

Skills

Regulatory approvals

Stakeholder engagement

Project management

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science

Job description

Advancing careers. Advancing everyday life.

Glencore is committed to providing an environment that adheres to the Respect at Work Legislation.

About the Role

An exciting opportunity exists for an Approvals Manager to join our GCAA Projects team, based in Brisbane, working a Monday to Friday roster.

Reporting to the Project Manager, you will be responsible for leading and managing the end-to-end QLD State and Federal environmental approvals process for a major mining project. This is a key leadership role requiring a strategic and hands‑on approach to managing regulatory approvals, coordinating external consultants, and ensuring critical project milestones are achieved.

You will work closely with internal project teams, regulatory authorities, and external stakeholders to drive the approvals process forward, proactively manage risks and deliver outcomes in accordance with legislative requirements and project timelines.

Key Responsibilities

• Leading the development and execution of the project's QLD State and Federal environmental approvals strategy, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and regulatory requirements.
• Managing and coordinating external approvals consultants and multidisciplinary technical specialists to deliver high-quality approval documentation within agreed timeframes and budgets.
• Developing, monitoring, and driving key approvals schedules, milestones, and deliverables in alignment with the overall project programme.
• Proactively identifying and managing approval risks, resolving issues, and escalating matters where required to maintain project progress.
• Providing specialist advice on QLD and Federal planning and environmental legislation, regulatory requirements, and approval pathways.
• Building and maintaining effective relationships with government agencies, regulatory authorities, internal stakeholders, and external consultants.
• Providing leadership, coaching and direction to the Approvals Coordinator and external consultancy team, ensuring accountability for agreed outcomes.
• Supporting the development and implementation of environmental management systems, compliance processes, and reporting requirements in accordance with Glencore standards and legislative obligations.
• Preparing and presenting regular progress reports, including key milestones, risks, and recommendations to support project decision-making.
  

About You

• Tertiary qualifications in Environmental Science, Environmental Management, or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated experience managing QLD State and Federal environmental approvals for major mining or resource development projects.
• Strong working knowledge of the QLD and Commonwealth planning instruments and legislation.
• Proven experience managing external environmental consultants, technical assessments, and complex regulatory approval processes.
• Strong project management capabilities, with the ability to develop strategic plans and translate them into achievable milestones and deliverables.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement, and relationship management skills.
• A proactive, solutions-focused approach, with the ability to make timely decisions, manage competing priorities and escalating risks appropriately.
• Demonstrated leadership capability, with experience driving performance and accountability across multidisciplinary teams.
• A demonstrated commitment to maintaining a strong safety culture and upholding environmental and community standards.

Glencore provides unrivalled career and development prospects, great communities and the opportunity to work with leaders in your field.