Project Manager - Planning & Environment

Ausgrid; Newcastle; On-site; AUD 178,000 - 217,000; Full time

Job summary

Ausgrid is seeking an experienced Environmental Planner to join our Grid Scale BESS team. This is an opportunity to lead complex SSDA environmental impact assessments across a portfolio of grid scale BESS sites.

You would work within a high performing development and delivery team, focused on both planning approvals and delivery compliance. Grid scale battery energy storage projects make up the entirety of our pipeline, though we welcome environmental planners with experience in renewables more

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in Environmental Planning, Environmental Science/Engineering, or related discipline.
• 7+ years of SSDA environmental planning and approvals experience.
• Experience leading complex environmental impact assessments and approvals.
• Knowledge of NSW planning requirements.
• Strong project management and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to deliver approvals on time and with quality.

Responsibilities

• Lead environmental assessments and approvals for major projects.
• Coordinate technical specialists and integrate studies into planning submissions.
• Identify risks and review consent conditions for delivery and operations.
• Drive continuous improvement and shape team processes.

Skills

SSDA planning

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Report writing

Communication

Education

Bachelors in Environmental Planning/Science/Engineering

Job description

Project Manager - Planning & Environment

Project Manager – Planning & Environmental

• $197,247 + 16.5% super + monthly rostered day off
• 2-year fixed term contract with option to extend
• Haymarket or Newcastle based with site travel required

About Ausgrid – we’re wired for good

We’re the largest distributor of electricity on Australia’s east coast, which means over two million homes and businesses rely on our good work. We’re here at the heart of the energy transition, and we’re driven by a powerful purpose to make electricity accessible for all.

It’s an exciting new chapter for our company with each day bringing a renewed energy to how we deliver, store and use electricity. As we continue to grow, we’re in search of exceptional talent to help us achieve our goals.

Everyone’s job is important here. Our customers come from all walks of life, and so do we. We’re committed to fostering a diverse, respectful, and inclusive workplace, and encourage applications from all backgrounds.

See yourself working here

Ausgrid is seeking an experienced Environmental Planner to join our Grid Scale BESS team. This is an opportunity to lead complex SSDA environmental impact assessments across a portfolio of grid scale BESS sites. You would work within a high performing development and delivery team, focused on both planning approvals and delivery compliance.

Grid scale battery energy storage projects make up the entirety of our pipeline, though we welcome environmental planners with experience in renewables more broadly, energy or major infrastructure backgrounds who bring strong multidisciplinary assessment, approvals and compliance experience, along with a genuine interest in supporting Australia’s energy transition.

What you’ll be doing

• Lead environmental assessments and approvals: Manage complex environmental impact assessments and planning approvals for major projects, including state-significant developments.
• Coordinate technical specialists: Manage consultants and consolidate technical studies into clear, coherent planning submissions aligned with project designs.
• Manage planning and environmental risks: Identify constraints early, work with technical teams on practical mitigation options and review consent conditions for delivery and operational implications.
• Improve how we work: Bring fresh ideas, champion continuous improvement and help shape systems and processes as the team continues to evolve.

What you bring to the role

Our hiring decisions are not only based on your experience and skills, but your passion, attitude, and alignment to our core values.

To succeed in this role, you'll be an experienced environmental planner who understands how to progress programs at scale. You've successfully delivered SSDA approvals for major infrastructure, including post approvals and compliance.

• A tertiary qualification in Environmental Planning, Environmental Science/Engineering, or a related discipline.
• 7+ years of relevant SSDA environmental planning and approvals experience, with depth of experience considered alongside years in the profession.
• Strong experience leading complex environmental impact assessments and approvals.
• Confidence coordinating multidisciplinary technical inputs.
• Knowledge of assessment processes and NSW based planning requirements.
• Strong project management, stakeholder engagement, report writing and communication skills, with a focus on delivering approvals on time and quality.
• Sound judgement and a proactive, practical and adaptable approach to managing risk, competing priorities and incomplete information.

Life at Ausgrid

At Ausgrid, we go beyond just a competitive salary to offer an exciting range of benefits. From salary sacrificing electric vehicles and novated leasing, to discounted corporate health insurance and access to Fitness Passport, our benefits support your work here, and your life out there.

Celebrate success every day with our employee recognition program to bring out each other’s best. Looking to grow professionally? We’ve got you covered with study assistance, secondments, training and mentors, whose advice you’ll keep wherever you go.

We’re proud to offer gender-neutral parental leave to balance work when growing your family. And if you’re caring for elderly parents, our aged care support services offer expert guidance to help you access care for your loved ones. At Ausgrid, it's all about supporting you in every aspect of life.

Application close date: 18 November 2026(please note, this date is subject to early closure)

Applicants must have full Australian work rights to apply.