Strategic Environmental Approvals Lead for Infrastructure

Downer; Hexham; On-site; AUD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Downer is seeking an experienced Environmental Approvals Manager to join our Sustainability and Environment team within Energy and Utilities in Australia. You will lead environmental planning and approvals, monitor compliance, and support stakeholder engagement across major utility infrastructure projects, including transmission projects.

Reporting to the Environmental Planning and Sustainability Director, you will build and lead an approvals team, coach staff, and ensure timely delivery of

Qualifications

• Experience managing environmental approvals within major infrastructure, utilities, construction or related industries.
• Strong knowledge of NSW and Commonwealth environmental and planning legislation and approval frameworks.
• Experience working with government agencies, environmental authorities and external stakeholders.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to provide practical environmental advice in a project delivery environment.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Experience undertaking environmental audits and compliance reviews.
• Collaborative approach with a commitment to safety, sustainability and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of environmental approvals strategies for Critical State Significant Infrastructure projects.
• Provide strategic advice on approvals pathways, change management, compliance risk and program impacts.
• Interpret SSI and CSSI approvals, environmental commitments, conditions of approval and Commonwealth requirements.
• Own the post-approval program and coordinate preparation, review, consultation, submission and implementation of management plans and deliverables.
• Support environmental management systems and project compliance obligations.
• Manage specialist consultants, approvals budgets, deliverable quality and schedules; contribute approvals inputs to tenders and change processes.
• Build productive relationships with regulators, clients and key stakeholders.

Skills

Environmental approvals management

Stakeholder engagement

Regulatory compliance

Project delivery

Communication

Leadership

Job description

Downer is seeking an experienced Environmental Approvals Manager to join our Sustainability and Environment team within Energy and Utilities in Australia. You will lead environmental planning and approvals, monitor compliance, and support stakeholder engagement across major utility infrastructure projects, including transmission projects.

Reporting to the Environmental Planning and Sustainability Director, you will build and lead an approvals team, coach staff, and ensure timely delivery of