Senior Environmental Approvals Lead for Energy Projects

WSP in Australia; Adelaide; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP Australia is seeking a Senior Environmental Consultant – Environmental Approvals in Adelaide, SA to lead statutory approvals for major infrastructure and energy projects. You will coordinate multidisciplinary teams, develop approvals strategies, and engage regulators and stakeholders to enable robust, compliant pathways.

You will mentor junior staff, drive due diligence, and craft environmental assessment programs across project lifecycles.

Qualifications

• Degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Management, Urban Planning, Ecology, or related field; postgraduate qualifications are a bonus
• 10+ years of experience in environmental planning and approvals, ideally in energy and resources
• 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

Leadership

Project Management

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Management, Urban Planning, Ecology, or related field

Tools

GIS

Data analysis tools

Job description

WSP Australia is seeking a Senior Environmental Consultant – Environmental Approvals in Adelaide, SA to lead statutory approvals for major infrastructure and energy projects. You will coordinate multidisciplinary teams, develop approvals strategies, and engage regulators and stakeholders to enable robust, compliant pathways.

You will mentor junior staff, drive due diligence, and craft environmental assessment programs across project lifecycles.