Senior Environmental Approvals Lead – Energy & Infrastructure

Senior Environmental Consultant, Environmental Approvals; Adelaide; On-site; AUD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP Australia’s Environmental Approvals team is seeking a Senior Environmental Consultant to lead statutory approvals for major infrastructure, energy and resources projects in South Australia. You will shape approvals strategies, coordinate multidisciplinary teams and provide senior technical oversight to deliver defensible outcomes.

You’ll engage with regulators and stakeholders, navigate environmental legislation, and mentor junior staff while contributing to proposals and business

Qualifications

• Degree in Environmental Science or related field (postgraduate qualifications a bonus).
• 10+ years of experience in environmental planning and approvals, ideally in the energy and resources sector.
• Experience leading projects related to environment impact assessment and approvals.
• High level understanding of environmental legislation and policy frameworks in Australia.
• Familiarity with GIS, data analysis, or digital tools for environmental assessment (helpful but not essential).
• Strong communication skills and a collaborative mindset.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate statutory approvals — including Planning Permit and EPA Development Licence applications, and approvals under the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016, Hydrogen and Renewable Energy Act 2023 and EPBC Act in South Australia — to deliver outcomes aligned with project and client goals
• Develop approvals strategies and due diligence advice for major infrastructure, renewable energy and data centre projects, including red flags assessments, site suitability studies and identification of approval pathways, risks and referral triggers
• Coordinate multidisciplinary technical teams (ecologists, acousticians, air quality, contaminated land, sustainability, traffic, heritage and engineering specialists) to prepare quality technical studies that respond to evolving regulatory and stakeholder requirements
• Direct environmental assessments, technical studies and management plans across all phases of construction, providing senior oversight and technical assurance to a range of contractors and delivery partners
• Manage stakeholder and regulator engagement with authorities such as the SA Department for Infrastructure and Transport, DEW, EPA, local councils and Traditional Owners to build robust, defensible approvals pathways
• Contribute to proposals and business development in a collaborative, team-oriented way
• Mentor, coach and develop the junior and intermediate team, with a focus on knowledge transfer, regulatory capability and building the depth of the environmental approvals team

Skills

Environmental planning

Project leadership

Regulatory knowledge

Communication

Education

Degree in Environmental Science or related field

Tools

GIS

Data analysis

Job description

WSP Australia’s Environmental Approvals team is seeking a Senior Environmental Consultant to lead statutory approvals for major infrastructure, energy and resources projects in South Australia. You will shape approvals strategies, coordinate multidisciplinary teams and provide senior technical oversight to deliver defensible outcomes.

You’ll engage with regulators and stakeholders, navigate environmental legislation, and mentor junior staff while contributing to proposals and business