Manager, Planning & Environment

AusNet; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

AusNet is seeking a Manager, Planning & Environment to lead the Planning & Environment team across land tenure, statutory planning and environmental approvals for DFN infrastructure projects in Victoria. You will provide strategic direction, manage budgets, mentor staff and collaborate with project teams and regulators to secure approvals and deliver major energy infrastructure.

The role requires a tertiary qualification in urban planning, strong governance knowledge and a track record in

Qualifications

• A tertiary qualification in urban planning or related discipline.
• Experience delivering planning and environmental approvals for major infrastructure projects.
• Strong knowledge of statutory planning, environmental approvals and utility legislation.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor and develop the Planning & Environment team.
• Provide strategic advice across land tenure, statutory planning and environmental approvals.
• Develop and oversee planning and environmental approval strategies for major projects.
• Lead inputs into tender submissions including scope, cost estimates and reviews.
• Manage complex planning approvals, permits and environmental assessments.
• Engage with landowners, regulators and stakeholders to enable project delivery.
• Guide teams on planning schemes, legislation and regulatory requirements.
• Lead multidisciplinary project teams and stakeholder forums to achieve outcomes.
• Manage budgets, forecasts and financial commitments within authority.
• Contribute to broader team objectives and continuous improvement.

Skills

Urban planning

Environmental approvals

Stakeholder engagement

Project management

Team leadership

Budget management

Education

Tertiary qualification in Urban Planning

Job description

We bring the energy – through purpose and people

Not just through the infrastructure we operate, but through the way we show up for each other, our customers’ and our communities. The future of energy is in our hands. Let’s shape it together.

We’re all about building an energy future to be proud of. Sound like a challenge you’ve been looking for?

We have an opportunity for a Manager, Planning & Environment to join our team. As the Manager, Planning & Environment, you will lead the team responsible for all statutory land planning and environmental approvals across Development & Future Networks (DFN) infrastructure projects. This is a key leadership role where you'll provide direction, specialist advice and strategic oversight across land tenure, statutory planning and environmental approvals, ensuring projects are successfully secured and delivered.

Working at the centre of a growing portfolio of energy infrastructure projects, you'll lead a team of specialists navigating complex approval pathways and regulatory requirements, while partnering with project teams and stakeholders to unlock critical project outcomes. Your expertise will play a vital role in supporting major network investments and renewable energy connections that will help shape Victoria's energy future.

This is a rare opportunity to lead a high-performing team and influence some of the most significant energy infrastructure projects in the market, while supporting the transition to a cleaner, more sustainable energy future.

What you’ll be doing in this role:

• Lead, mentor and develop the Planning & Environment team, fostering a high-performing and collaborative culture.
• Provide strategic advice and subject matter expertise across land tenure, statutory planning and environmental approvals.
• Develop and oversee planning and environmental approval strategies for major infrastructure projects.
• Lead all statutory planning and environmental inputs into tender submissions, including scope development, cost estimates, evaluations and reviews.
• Manage complex planning approvals, permits, planning scheme amendments, environmental assessments and associated regulatory processes.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with landowners, government agencies, regulators, local councils and other key stakeholders.
• Provide expert guidance on planning schemes, legislation, policy and regulatory requirements to support project delivery.
• Lead multidisciplinary project teams, workshops and stakeholder forums to achieve planning and environmental outcomes.
• Manage budgets, forecasts and financial commitments in line with delegated authority.
• Contribute to strategic objectives across the broader team while driving continuous improvement, engagement and capability development.

You don’t need to check every box, however we’re looking for a good combination of:

• Tertiary qualification in Urban Planning, other relevant discipline
• Strong experience delivering planning and environmental approvals for major infrastructure projects.
• Expert knowledge of statutory planning, environmental approvals and utility legislation.
• Experience securing permits, planning scheme amendments, environmental referrals and regulatory approvals.
• Proven involvement in EES processes and complex project approvals.
• Experience managing consultants, specialist contractors and multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong understanding of government approval processes and stakeholder engagement.
• Experience leading and developing high-performing teams.
• Strong relationships with government agencies, regulators and key stakeholders.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and influencing skills.
• Strong project management and stakeholder engagement capability.
• Ability to build trust, resolve issues and drive outcomes in complex environments.
• A collaborative leader who represents AusNet professionally and builds confidence across projects and stakeholders.
• Current Australian driver’s license required, Travel to sites will be required

The AusNet experience is all about…

• Growing your impact: We’ll support you to build your career through real opportunities and strong connections.
• Solving some of the most complex energy challenges of our time: We love unpacking complex challenges in clever ways and looking at things differently.
• Being apart a team that cares deeply about each other: We share in the good times. We support in the tough times. And we’re humble through and through.

We’re committed to building an inclusive culture and a diverse workforce. We believe different perspectives are essential to our success, and we encourage all applicants to apply. If you need any adjustments during the recruitment process, we're happy to discuss how we can support you.