Managing Consultant - Planner (Impact Assessment)

ERM; Newcastle; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

ERM is seeking an experienced Managing Consultant - Planner (Impact Assessment) based in our Sydney or Newcastle office. You will provide project management and senior technical environmental planning and permitting advice for large-scale capital development projects across power, infrastructure, government, defence, mining and manufacturing sectors.

You will lead complex projects, guide teams, and strengthen client partnerships while collaborating with ERM's global Impact Assessment team to

Qualifications

• Min 6 years of environmental planning and impact assessment experience in NSW and Commonwealth regimes.
• Experience in environmental planning and approvals, land use planning, post-approval management, and broad knowledge of impact assessment practices.
• Experience in the power, infrastructure, Government and defence, mining and manufacturing sectors.
• Project management and project delivery skills, including time management and organisational abilities.
• Strong team-building, integrity, and client-facing capabilities.
• Proven track record building relationships with major clients.
• Excellent writing, communication, presentation, strategic thinking, and people skills.
• Authorisation to work in Australia.

Responsibilities

• Lead environmental assessments and prepare environmental impact statements, including approvals processes for SSD/SSI projects.
• Project manage multiple projects within scope, budget, schedule, meeting client expectations and ensuring quality on deliverables.
• Prepare technical proposals, including development of technical scopes and cost estimates, and participate in business development with existing clients and identified leads.
• Mentor junior staff to develop their skill sets in the environmental planning and approvals.
• Build strong collaborative relationships with other ERM employees.

Skills

Project management

Team leadership

Communication skills

Writing skills

Strategic thinking

Time management

Education

Relevant tertiary qualifications

Job description

Job Summary

ERM is seeking an experienced Managing Consultant - Planner (Impact Assessment) based in our Sydney or Newcastle office, to provide project management and senior technical environmental planning and permitting advice for large-scale capital development projects, including for power (renewables, transmission and distribution), infrastructure, Government and defence, mining and manufacturing sector clients.

Why This Role Matters

As Managing Consultant, you will contribute your leadership, client relationship, and technical consulting skills to support the growth of ERM’s business and client base within the sectors, while networking with ERM's global Impact Assessment technical team to share multi-disciplinary resources and best practices across the industry. This is an excellent opportunity for a senior professional looking to advance their career level with a global environmental leader.

What Your Impact Is

At this level, you will lead the delivery of complex, high-impact projects that help clients achieve sustainable outcomes. You will guide and develop teams, foster an inclusive and collaborative culture, and apply deep technical expertise to strengthen our consulting capability. By building trusted client partnerships and driving innovation, you will shape solutions that exceed expectations, create growth opportunities, and advance our Purpose.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and/or manage environmental assessments and the preparation of environmental impact statements for projects, including the management of related approvals processes to support ERM clients’ capital project delivery, including for SSD / SSI projects.
• Project manage multiple projects within agreed scope/budget/schedule, meeting client’s expectations and ensuring quality on project deliverables.
• Prepare technical proposals, including development of technical scopes and cost estimates, and participate in business development with existing clients and identified leads. Maintain client relationships to support repeat business.
• Mentor junior staff to develop their skill sets in the environmental planning and approvals.
• Build strong collaborative relationships with other ERM employees.

Qualification & Skills

• Relevant tertiary qualifications;
• Min 6 years of environmental planning and impact assessment working within NSW and Commonwealth legislative requirements.
• Experience in environmental planning and approvals, land use planning, post approval management and broad knowledge of impact assessment best practices, within the power, infrastructure, Government and defence, mining and manufacturing sectors.
• Project management and project delivery skills, including time management and organisational skills.
• Well-developed team building and influencing skills; unquestioned integrity; and the experience, confidence, and stature to effectively address client and business needs and challenges.
• Solid experience building sustaining relationships with major clients.
• Excellent writing, communication, presentation, strategic thinking, and “people” skills.
• Authorisation to work in Australia

APAC Ready to Lead the Way

At ERM, your work creates impact that matters, helping global organizations tackle the most pressing sustainability challenges while shaping a better future for communities and the environment. Our vision is to empower you to grow, lead, and innovate alongside world-class clients on transformative projects. We prioritize wellbeing, continuous learning, and an inclusive culture where collaboration, expertise, and purpose drive meaningful impact. At ERM, diverse perspectives are celebrated, and innovation thrives. If you’re ready to make sustainability your mission and build a career that creates lasting change, your journey starts here

Discover Life at ERM

Curious about our culture and what makes ERM a great place to grow your career? Explore these resources to learn more about our people, values, and the impact we create:

Talent Brochure: TM - Candidate brochure

Life at ERM: Life at ERM