Technical Director – Environmental Planning & Approvals

Arcadis; Gold Coast City; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 250,000; Part time

Job summary

Arcadis in Queensland is seeking a Technical Director – Environmental Planning & Approvals to lead and grow our environmental capability. You will guide complex planning and approvals projects, work with clients to shape strategies, and ensure high-quality outcomes across infrastructure and energy sectors.

As a senior leader, you will mentor multidisciplinary teams, drive business growth through client engagement and bids, and strengthen Arcadis' position in Queensland.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in environmental planning and approvals, including complex Queensland projects.
• Degree or equivalent accreditation in environmental science, planning, or related field.
• Strong knowledge of Queensland and Commonwealth environmental assessment processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery of environmental planning and approvals projects across Queensland.
• Provide strategic and technical advice on approvals pathways and risk.
• Mentor and develop the environmental planning and approvals team.
• Support work winning, client engagement and proposals.

Skills

Environmental planning

Leadership

Client engagement

Stakeholder management

Mentoring

Bid/tender experience

Project delivery

Strategic advisory

Team leadership

Education

Degree in Environmental Science/Planning

Job description

Arcadis is the world's leading company delivering sustainable design, engineering, and consultancy solutions for natural and built assets.

We are more than 34,000 people, in over 30 countries, dedicated to improving quality of life. Everyone has an important role to play. With the power of many curious minds, together we can solve the world’s most complex challenges and deliver more impact together.

Role description

We are looking for a Technical Director – Environmental Planning & Approvals to lead and grow our Queensland capability within our national Environment Planning, Permitting & Compliance team.

This role will see you provide senior technical leadership across complex environmental planning and approvals projects, partnering with clients to navigate approvals strategy, environmental assessment requirements and stakeholder considerations. You will lead multidisciplinary teams, provide clear strategic advice and help shape high-quality project outcomes across infrastructure, energy, transport, water, resources and development sectors.

As a senior member of the team, you will contribute to business growth through client engagement, market positioning, work winning and the development of our people. You will help build a strong, connected and technically excellent team that delivers meaningful outcomes for our clients and communities.

Role accountabilities

• Lead the delivery of complex environmental planning and approvals projects across Queensland.


• Provide strategic and technical advice to clients on approvals pathways, environmental assessment requirements and project risks.


• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, regulators, stakeholders and industry partners.


• Lead multidisciplinary teams to deliver high-quality project outcomes on time and within budget.


• Mentor and support the development of the environmental planning and approvals team.


• Contribute to work winning, proposal development and client engagement activities.


• Use market, client and sector knowledge to identify opportunities and support business growth.


• Champion technical excellence, innovation and collaboration across the Environment and Sustainability business.


• Represent Arcadis in the market and help strengthen our profile across Queensland’s environmental planning and approvals sector.

Qualifications & Experience

We are open to considering part‑time arrangements for the right person. This role would suit someone who enjoys working in an outward‑facing, client‑focused environment, with the ability to build trusted relationships across clients, regulators, stakeholders and internal teams. They will come to us with:

• Significant experience in environmental planning and approvals, including the delivery of complex projects in Queensland.


• Relevant degree or equivalent professional accreditation in environmental science, planning, environmental management or a related discipline.


• Strong knowledge of Queensland and Commonwealth environmental assessment and approvals processes.


• Demonstrated ability to lead technical delivery, manage project risks and provide strategic advice to clients.


• Proven experience leading multidisciplinary teams and mentoring developing professionals.


• Strong commercial awareness, including experience supporting bids, tenders and client engagement.


• Well‑developed client relationships and industry networks.


• Excellent communication, stakeholder management and influencing skills.


• A collaborative leadership style and a strong commitment to technical quality, safety and client outcomes.

Why Arcadis?

We can only achieve our goals when everyone is empowered to be their best. We believe everyone's contribution matters. It’s why we are pioneering a skills‑based approach, where you can harness your unique experience and expertise to carve your career path and maximize the impact we can make together.

You’ll do meaningful work, and no matter what role, you’ll be helping to deliver sustainable solutions for a more prosperous planet. Make your mark, on your career, your colleagues, your clients, your life and the world around you.

Together, we can create a lasting legacy.

Join Arcadis. Create a Legacy.

Our Commitment to Equality, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging

We want you to be able to bring your best self to work every day, which is why we take equality and inclusion seriously and hold ourselves to account for our actions. Our ambition is to be an employer of choice and provide a great place to work for all our people.

As an equal opportunity employer, we value and promote diversity at Arcadis and strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Veterans and spouses are invited to apply.