Planning and Approvals Manager

Morson Edge Australia; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive remuneration

Hybrid working

Growth opportunities

Job summary

Morson Edge Australia is seeking a Planning & Approvals Manager to steer utility-scale BESS projects through planning and environmental processes in Australia. You will coordinate consultants, advise on feasibility, and work with development, engineering and grid teams to align approvals with project designs.

The role emphasizes cross‑functional collaboration, strong stakeholder engagement and shaping the planning function as the portfolio expands. Sydney-based with hybrid work arrangements.

Qualifications

• 10+ years experience in planning and approvals for utility-scale BESS, solar or wind projects.
• Strong knowledge of Australian planning frameworks and state EPBC processes.
• Experience with regulators, environmental agencies and consultants.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee planning and approvals for a portfolio of utility-scale BESS projects.
• Advise on planning feasibility, site constraints, timelines and risks.
• Assess opportunities across emerging technologies and project types.
• Ensure planning and environmental considerations are reflected in designs.
• Collaborate with grid, community engagement and internal teams.
• Coordinate consultants, planning studies, budgets and timelines.
• Support preparation of planning applications and environmental plans.
• Liaise with planning authorities and regulators throughout approvals.
• Monitor milestones, costs and risks; address issues early.
• Help shape planning and approvals function as portfolio grows.

Skills

Planning approvals

Stakeholder management

Regulatory knowledge

Environmental compliance

Team collaboration

Education

Planning/Law/EnvSci/Engineering qualification

Job description

About the Company: An exciting opportunity to join a growing renewable energy business developing utility-scale battery energy storage projects across Australia. With an expanding project pipeline and exciting plans for the future, this is a great opportunity to be part of a collaborative team contributing to Australia’s energy transition. You’ll work alongside specialists across development, engineering, grid and community engagement, helping progress projects that will play an important role in the country’s energy future.

About the Role:

Our client is seeking an experienced Planning & Approvals Manager to play a key role in progressing a portfolio of utility-scale Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects. Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, you’ll work closely with Project development managers, engineering, grid and community engagement teams, providing planning advice, coordinating specialist consultants and helping navigate approval pathways to keep projects moving forward. This is a hands‑on opportunity for someone who enjoys working across multiple projects, building strong stakeholder relationships and finding practical solutions to planning challenges. As the business continues to grow, you’ll also have the opportunity to help shape and grow the planning and approvals function.

Responsibilities:

• Overseeing planning and approvals for a portfolio of utility-scale BESS projects at different stages of development.
• Providing advice on planning feasibility, site constraints, approval timeframes and potential risks to support early‑stage project decisions.
• Helping assess future opportunities across emerging technologies and new project types.
• Working closely with development and engineering teams to ensure planning and environmental considerations are reflected in project designs.
• Collaborating with grid, community engagement and other internal teams to support the successful progression of projects.
• Building strong relationships with specialist consultants and coordinating planning studies, documentation, budgets and timelines.
• Supporting the preparation of planning applications, environmental management plans and secondary consents needed to progress projects towards construction.
• Liaising with planning authorities, local councils and state and federal regulators throughout the approvals process.
• Keeping track of project milestones, consultant costs and potential risks, helping to address issues early.
• Contributing to improved processes and ways of working as the project portfolio continues to expand.

Skills & Experience:

• 10+ years’ experience in planning and environmental approvals across utility-scale BESS, solar or wind projects.
• Knowledge of Australian planning frameworks, particularly across the eastern states, including relevant state planning requirements and EPBC processes.
• An understanding of environmental legislation and approval pathways relevant to renewable energy projects.
• Experience working with planning authorities, environmental regulators and specialist consultants.
• The ability to work collaboratively with teams across development, engineering, grid and community engagement.
• Strong communication and report‑writing skills, along with sound commercial awareness and stakeholder management experience.
• A relevant qualification in planning, law, environmental science, engineering or a related field.

Benefits:

• Competitive remuneration based on experience.
• The opportunity to contribute to Australia’s growing renewable energy and energy storage sector.
• Involvement in a range of utility‑scale BESS projects from early planning through to construction readiness.
• A collaborative environment with close exposure to development, engineering and grid teams.
• The opportunity to contribute ideas and help shape the planning and approvals function as the business grows.
• Sydney-based location with hybrid working arrangements.