Managing Consultant - Planner (Impact Assessment)

ERM International Group; Sydney; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

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

The role leads complex assessments, mentors teams, and builds trusted client partnerships while advancing sustainable outcomes and ERM's consulting capability.

Qualifications

• Relevant tertiary qualifications;
• Min 6 years of environmental planning and impact assessment experience within NSW and Commonwealth requirements.
• Experience in environmental planning and approvals, land use planning, post approval management, and broad knowledge of impact assessment practices across power, infrastructure, government/defence, mining and manufacturing sectors.
• Project management and project delivery skills, including time management and organisational skills.
• Strong team building, integrity, and client-facing capabilities; ability to address business needs and challenges.
• Proven ability to build sustaining client relationships.
• Excellent writing, communication, presentation, strategic thinking, and people skills.
• Authorisation to work in Australia

Responsibilities

• Lead environmental assessments and prepare environmental impact statements, managing related approvals to support ERM clients' capital projects, including SSD/SSI.
• Project manage multiple projects within scope, budget and schedule, meeting client expectations and ensuring quality on deliverables.
• Prepare technical proposals with scopes and cost estimates; participate in business development and maintain client relationships for repeat business.
• Mentor junior staff to develop skills in environmental planning and approvals.
• Build strong collaborative relationships with other ERM employees.

Skills

Environmental planning

Project management

Team leadership

Client relationship management

Technical writing

Communication

Strategic thinking

Public speaking

Education

Relevant tertiary qualifications

Job description

Managing Consultant - Planner (Impact Assessment)

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