Senior Manager, Permissions Specialists

Environment Protection Authority; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 194,000 - 264,000; Full time

Job summary

EPA Victoria is seeking a Senior Manager, Permissions Specialists to lead specialist teams that strengthen technical capability, governance, quality assurance and risk-based decision-making across EPA’s permissioning functions.

This role provides strategic oversight and authoritative advice on complex matters to senior executives, with a focus on defensible, customer-centred outcomes under environmental legislation.

Qualifications

• Experience leading specialist regulatory teams in a public sector environment.
• Ability to translate legislation into risk-based regulatory guidance.
• Proven capability to manage governance, quality assurance and complex licensing.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement across senior levels.
• Demonstrated ability to drive organizational change and policy alignment.
• Postgraduate qualifications are an asset but not mandatory.

Responsibilities

• Lead a high-performing specialist team providing technical expertise for permission decisions.
• Establish and improve permission governance and decision-making processes.
• Provide strategic advice on novel or high-profile permission matters to executives.
• Manage resources, risks, and cross-program input for complex cases.
• Assess environmental and human health risks and give defensible regulatory guidance.
• Build capability through mentoring, peer review and clear communication.

Skills

Senior leadership

Governance

Regulatory experience

Stakeholder influence

Change management

Communication skills

Education

Relevant tertiary qualification

Postgraduate qualifications desirable

Job description

Location: Melbourne - CBD and Inner Metro suburbs

Reference: 1881

Ongoing, full-time role

Salary: VPS 7 - $193,946 to $263,771 + 12% superannuation

Location: 664 Collins Street, Docklands VIC 3008

About the Organisation

EPA is currently transitioning to a new operating model, creating a range of opportunities across the organisation. We’re looking for talented people to join us and contribute to EPA’s important work protecting Victoria’s environment and community.

EPA works to prevent and reduce the harmful effect of pollution and waste on Victoria's environment and people. We work with community, industry and businesses. As the needs of Victorians change, we must be equipped to adapt and respond to a range of factors.

We are a workplace committed to new ways of working, EPA celebrates diversity of people and lifestyles. We offer a wide range of practical options to support both your work and personal life.

The EPA Experience

• See the impact in the communities we live in: at EPA you see your work first-hand
• Range of internal working groups, networks and volunteering opportunities
• On-the-job training for a wide range of environmental roles
• Flexible start and finish times, as well as compressed work week options

About the role:

As Senior Manager, Permissions Specialists, you will lead specialist teams that strengthen technical capability, governance, quality assurance and risk-based decision-making across EPA’s permissioning functions.

This is an opportunity to provide strategic and operational leadership on complex and high-profile permission matters, deliver authoritative advice to senior leaders and improve consistent, defensible and customer-focused outcomes under the Environment Protection Act 2017.

In this role you will:

• Lead a high-performing specialist team that provides science and risk-based technical expertise for complex permission decisions, pathways and licence reviews.
• Establish and improve permission decision-making, governance, quality assurance, business rules and guidance aligned with legislation, standards and EPA priorities.
• Provide strategic oversight and authoritative advice on novel, complex or high-profile permission matters to senior executives and stakeholders.
• Manage surge support, performance, resources, risks and cross-EPA technical input across permissioning programs and complex cases.
• Assess environmental and human health risks with internal specialists and provide clear, risk-proportionate regulatory advice.
• Build organisational capability through technical mentoring, peer review, systems improvement and clear, defensible communication.

Skills and experience

• Strong senior leadership experience in governance, regulatory or compliance environments, including leading specialist technical teams.
• Exceptional conceptual, analytical and systems thinking, with the ability to translate complex information into evidence-based recommendations.
• Proven ability to build high-performing teams, coach staff, manage performance and strengthen professional capability.
• Substantial experience leading complex operations, projects and programs, including governance, resources, budgets, contracts and competing priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to lead systems, process and organisational change and support new technology and software solutions.
• Highly developed communication, relationship-building and influencing skills across senior government, industry, community and internal stakeholders.
• Relevant tertiary qualification is mandatory; postgraduate qualifications are desirable.

For any enquiries relating to this role, please reach out to [e-mail]

Need to know more?

All prospective employees will also undergo a National Criminal Record Check prior to an offer of employment. You must be an Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident or hold a valid work permit or visa. Preferred candidates will be subject to pre-employment checks including, but not limited to, police checks, reference checks and role related security clearances.

EPA Victoria recognises the value of the diversity, strength, and knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as we work with Traditional Owners to care for our environment. We provide a culturally safe and embracing work environment.

We are an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to merit, equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace. We believe our workforce should represent the diversity of the lands upon which we reside; and we actively embrace staff of different abilities, orientations, backgrounds, faiths, and genders.

Applications close Tuesday 17 November 2026 at 11.59pm