Director, Permissions

Work Initiatives; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA Victoria) is Victoria's environmental regulator, leading statewide permissions and regulatory reform to prevent harm and support sustainable development. You will steer decisions that are legally sound, evidence-based and timely, engaging with government, industry and communities to deliver outcomes for Victorian environments and health.

The Director, Permissions role requires executive leadership, strategic risk management and strong governance to

Responsibilities

• Lead EPA's statewide permissions function, ensuring decisions are consistent, timely, legally sound, transparent and evidence-based.
• Guide EPA's position on complex, novel and precedent-setting matters; lead permissioning reform and regulatory modernisation.
• Represent EPA in whole-of-government forums on state-significant projects with cross‑agency collaboration.
• Foster a culture of excellence and accountability; strengthen partnerships with EPA, government, industry, Traditional Owners and the community.
• Shape a strategic approach to permissions that prevent harm and support sustainable development across Victoria.

Job description

Victoria's independent environmental regulator

Prevent harm, support sustainable developmentAbout the organisation

Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) is the state's environmental regulator, working to prevent and reduce the harmful effects of pollution and waste on Victorian communities and ecosystems. Operating under a strong legislative mandate and a science‑based approach, EPA partners with government, industry and the public to protect the environment and human health. This organisation is values‑led, future‑focused, and committed to delivering lasting impact for all Victorians.

About the role

As Director, Permissions, you will lead EPA's statewide permissions function, ensuring decisions and regular permission reviews are consistent, timely, legally sound, transparent and grounded in evidence and risk, in line with the Environment Protection Act 2017. Reporting to the Executive Director, Regulatory Operations and Sector Regulation, you will guide EPA's position on complex, novel and precedent‑setting matters, lead permissioning reform and regulatory modernisation, and manage organisation‑wide permissions and environmental approvals risks and customer outcomes. Highly credible, you will represent EPA in whole‑of‑government forums on state‑significant projects working closely with colleagues.

As part of the leadership team, success will mean building a culture of excellence and accountability, with strong partnerships across EPA, government, industry, Traditional Owners and the community. About you

You are an experienced executive leader with sound judgement on complex regulatory, environmental and public policy matters. You strengthen governance, manage risk, make robust, consistent decisions, and have led change and reform. You build trusted relationships with peers, senior government, industry and community stakeholders, give executives and ministers clear, evidence‑based advice, and manage resources, performance and investment for lasting outcomes.

Tertiary or postgraduate qualifications in science, law, environmental management, public policy, regulation or a related discipline are desirable. You will help shape a strategic approach to permissions that prevent harm and support sustainable development across Victoria.

Closes 16 November.