Sustainability Manager - NSW

Quay-Clean; Sydney; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Quayclean is seeking a Sustainability Manager for NSW to lead resource recovery and sustainability initiatives across a diverse portfolio of public facilities and venues in Sydney. The role is highly operational, requiring hands-on delivery, client liaison and flexible hours including nights and weekends during events.

The base will be Sydney Showground, with travel between sites such as the Sydney Opera House and SCG. You will develop practical sustainability solutions and educate staff.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in resource recovery and sustainability management.
• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Flexibility and a hands-on approach to operations.
• Excellent communication skills for client engagement.
• Current NSW Driver's Licence is essential.
• Current Police Check required (issued within 12 months).
• Current NSW Working with Children Check is required.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead delivery of resource recovery and broader sustainability initiatives across NSW client sites.
• Oversee waste-separation systems: infrastructure, procedures, education and monitoring to reduce contamination.
• Undertake hands-on waste audits, contamination inspections and site observations.
• Collect, validate and analyse waste data to identify opportunities and report findings.
• Prepare client reports, recommendations, and project updates.

Skills

Resource recovery

Sustainability management

Leadership

Communication

Driver's license

Police check

Working with Children Check

Job description

At Quayclean, we are all about people! We are a team of over 5000, responsible for delivering cleaning, sustainability management, and specialty services throughout Australia. We are focused on creating real career opportunities for our people, and we are passionate about ‘Making our customers look Great’!

Working within some of Australia’s most iconic venues and facilities, Quayclean has experienced exponential growth in recent years. We are committed to continually building a safe and respectful workplace, where all our people feel supported, appreciated, and accepted. Join us today!

We are seeking a full-time Sustainability Manager - NSW to lead resource recovery and sustainability initiatives across a diverse portfolio of public facilities and major venues throughout Sydney.

This is a highly operational, hands-on and varied role requiring flexibility to respond to client needs, event schedules and emerging priorities. The successful candidate must be available to work outside standard business hours when required, including nights and weekends during major events.

The role will be based at Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park, but will involve regular travel between sites, including the Sydney Opera House, SCG, Allianz Stadium, Accor Stadium, racecourses and private schools.

No two days will be the same. You may be conducting a waste audit, supporting operations at a major event, delivering staff education, reviewing waste data, developing a client proposal or researching an emerging sustainability requirement.

We are looking for a confident, proactive self-starter who is comfortable taking ownership of their portfolio, setting priorities and driving their own agenda. You will need to identify opportunities, follow projects through to completion and remain informed about changes across the waste and sustainability industry, including legislation, technology, recovery pathways and industry best practice.

Working closely with clients and operational teams, you will develop practical, site-specific sustainability solutions that improve environmental performance while remaining achievable within busy operational environments. Strong communication and relationship-building skills will be essential, along with the confidence to provide advice, challenge existing practices constructively and influence stakeholders at all levels.

Education and engagement will be a central part of the position. You will develop and deliver clear, practical training and educational resources that make sustainability accessible and easy to understand for cleaners, venue staff, contractors, patrons, students, visitors and other stakeholders.

If you enjoy taking initiative, building strong relationships and turning sustainability goals into practical action, this is an opportunity to create meaningful change across some of Sydney’s most recognised venues.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and lead the delivery of resource recovery and broader sustainability initiatives across a portfolio of NSW client sites.
• Oversee the implementation and ongoing improvement of waste-separation systems, including infrastructure, operational procedures, education and monitoring, to improve recovery and reduce contamination.
• Undertake hands‑on waste audits, contamination inspections, event observations and other site‑based sustainability activities.
• Collect, validate and analyse waste and sustainability data, using trends and findings to identify opportunities and communicate performance.
• Prepare client reports, recommendations, presentations, case studies and project updates.
• Develop and deliver engaging education and training for cleaners, venue teams, contractors, concessionaires and other stakeholders.
• Coordinate cleaners, Waste Warriors and other operational personnel supporting sustainability activities where required.
• Remain informed about relevant legislation, industry developments, emerging technologies, recovery pathways and sustainability best practice, translating these into practical advice and actions for clients and operational teams.
• Work closely with clients to understand their objectives, develop and present bespoke, practical sustainability solutions, facilitate meetings and encourage stakeholders to adopt improved practices.
• Manage competing priorities across multiple sites and independently follow projects and commitments through to completion.
• Work flexibly across locations and hours, including nights and weekends, in response to event calendars and project requirements.

To Be Successful, You Should Have:

• Proven experience in resource recovery and sustainability management.
• Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate your team.
• Flexibility and a hands‑on approach to managing day‑to‑day operations.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with a focus on client engagement and delivering bespoke solutions.
• A current NSW Driver's License (this is a must‑have requirement).
• A current Police Check (issued within the past 12 months).
• A current NSW Working with Children's Check.

Opportunities

At Quayclean, we believe in fostering long‑term careers. We provide opportunities for further development within our supportive, high‑performing team. As a Sustainability Manager, you will play a critical role in making a positive impact on sustainability across Sydney’s most iconic venues.

This is your chance to make a difference, champion sustainable practices, and lead the way in creating environmentally conscious systems that are easy for everyone to adopt.

Quayclean is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages applications from people of all abilities, particularly First Nations Peoples and those who may experience diversity or disability‑related barriers in securing employment