National Resources Growth Lead – Environmental Approvals

WSP in Australia; Sydney; On-site; AUD 170,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP is seeking a motivated leader to drive and build the environmental approvals capability across Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia. The role sits within WSP's Earth & Environment team and focuses on growth, delivery leadership and client engagement across resources, mining and energy projects.

You will shape strategy, win work, and mentor teams, connecting Ecology, Water, Mining, Energy and Transport disciplines to deliver integrated solutions across regions.

Qualifications

• 10+ years’ experience in environmental planning and approvals.
• Strong track record on resources, mining, critical minerals, energy or major infrastructure.
• Knowledge of Commonwealth and State approvals frameworks with regional depth.

Responsibilities

• Shape and deliver a national growth strategy for our resources approvals business, focusing on QLD, NSW and SA.
• Build trusted relationships with mining, critical minerals, energy transition and industrial clients.
• Lead strategic pursuits, including win strategy, pricing and client engagement.
• Provide senior technical input on complex approvals for mining, critical minerals and infrastructure.
• Collaborate with Regional Executives and Account Managers to prioritise clients and opportunities.
• Connect people across regions and business lines to deliver integrated solutions.
• Mentor and develop others and build a national resources approvals community.

Skills

Environmental approvals

Client relationship building

Strategic growth leadership

Regulatory knowledge

Cross-regional collaboration

Education

Degree in Environmental Science/Engineering/Management/Planning/Ecology or related field

Job description

Job Description

What if you could do the kind of work the world needs? At WSP, you can access our global scale, contribute to landmark projects and connect with the brightest minds in your field to do the best work of your life. You can embrace your curiosity in a culture that celebrates new ideas and diverse perspectives, and shape a career as unique as you.

Help us build something. We are looking for a motivated and driven individual, who will drive and build environmental approvals capability across Queensland, New South Wales, and South Australia. WSP's Environmental Approvals team supports some of Australia's most significant resources, energy, infrastructure and Defence projects. We already have strong resources capability and client relationships, particularly in Western Australia. Now we want to grow our resources approvals business across Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia, and we are investing in a new role to make that happen. This is a growth-first role, but not a pure business development role. You will open doors, win work, stay close to delivery and build capability around you, working across regions and business lines to bring the best of WSP to our clients.

What You’ll Do

• Shape and deliver a national growth strategy for our resources approvals business, with a focus on QLD, NSW and SA.
• Build trusted relationships with mining, critical minerals, energy transition and industrial clients.
• Identify, shape and lead strategic pursuits, including win strategy, pricing and client engagement.
• Stay hands-on in delivery, providing senior technical input on complex approvals for mining, critical minerals and associated infrastructure.
• Work with Regional Executives and Account Managers to prioritise clients and opportunities.
• Connect people across regions and business lines, including Ecology, Water, Mining, Energy and Transport, to deliver integrated solutions.
• Mentor and develop others, and help build a national resources approvals community.

What You’ll Bring

• A degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Management, Planning, Ecology or a related field.
• Typically 10+ years’ experience in environmental planning and approvals, with a strong track record on resources, mining, critical minerals, energy or major infrastructure projects.
• Sound knowledge of Commonwealth and State approvals frameworks, with depth in at least one jurisdiction (QLD, NSW or SA highly regarded).
• Experience growing client relationships and turning opportunities into won work.
• A collaborative style and the ability to bring people with you, including those who don't report to you.
• Experience engaging with regulators, Traditional Owners, landholders and communities.
• Existing relationships in the resources sector (a bonus, not essential).

Why this role?

• Build: Shape a growing national business rather than inherit a finished one.
• Impact: Work on projects that matter to Australia's resources and energy transition future.
• Support: Be backed by a collaborative national leadership team and connected to WSP's global expertise.
• Balance: A role designed around growth, not a full-time project manager load.
• Growth: Clear leadership pathways, with the level of the role set to match your experience.

Why WSP?

Imagine a better future for you, and for us all. Joining WSP means becoming part of a global team of over 85,000, united by a shared passion for making a positive impact.

• Join WSP’s Earth & Environment business, a nationally renowned business unit with a proven history of delivery high quality innovative work across sectors and an exceptional level of technical expertise.
• Deliver work that genuinely shapes communities, grounded in WSP's mission to provide sustainable solutions with deep environmental and social responsibility.
• Grow in a culture built on collaboration, inclusion, and belonging, where diverse perspectives power innovation and employees feel valued and supported.
• Enjoy work/life flexibility and strong career pathways, plus global mobility, health and wellbeing programs, and social initiatives.

Discover more on our https://www.wsp.com/en-au/careers/why-join-us/employee-benefits page.

If this role sounds like you but you're not sure you tick every box, we'd still love to hear from you.

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