Head Environment

Adani Group; Ahmedabad District; On-site; INR 350,000 - 550,000; Full time

Job summary

Adani Group seeks a senior professional to lead the Environment, Health, Safety & Sustainability/Regulatory Affairs function in Ahmedabad. You will steer end-to-end EC/FC/CRZ, mangrove and wildlife clearances, manage regulatory risk, and coordinate with MoEFCC, CPCB, SPCBs and local authorities to ensure timely approvals.

The role requires 25+ years in environmental management and a proven track record of securing multiple statutory permissions for large infrastructure projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering, Ecology, Botany, Zoology, Forestry, Marine Science or allied discipline.
• Master’s Degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering / Management, Ecology, Forestry, Marine / Coastal Science or Natural Resource Management.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end Environmental Clearance process from MoEF&CC and SEIAA.
• Ensure compliance with EIA Notification, 2006 and amendments.
• Manage preparation/review of EIA/EMP reports through accredited consultants.
• Obtain and manage Terms of Reference approvals.
• Coordinate public hearings and stakeholder consultations.
• Represent proposals before EAC/SEAC committees.
• Liaise with regulatory authorities for timely approval.
• Drive Forest Clearance process including Stage-I and Stage-II approvals.
• Coordinate compliance related to Compensatory Afforestation, NPV and other conditions.
• Submit and track PARIVESH proposals.
• Liaise with State Forest Departments and Nodal Officers.
• Ensure compliance with Forest Conservation Act and related regulations.
• Lead CRZ clearance process for coastal/marine projects.
• Manage CRZ demarcation and CZMP compliance.
• Liaise with SCZMA and NCZMA.
• Prepare, submit and follow up CRZ proposals.
• Ensure compliance with CRZ Notifications 2011/2019.
• Manage mangrove diversion permissions and related compliance.
• Oversee afforestation, restoration and conservation plans.
• Coordinate coastal/marine ecological assessments.
• Ensure compliance with directions of authorities, NGT and courts.
• Mitigate risks in environmentally sensitive coastal areas.
• Secure Wildlife Clearance from National Board for Wildlife where applicable.
• Obtain approvals within/proximity to protected areas and Eco-Sensitive Zones.
• Ensure compliance with Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
• Coordinate with Biodiversity Management Committees and authorities.
• Ensure all regulatory dependencies are resolved for project execution.
• Lead environmental strategy and compliance framework; interface with regulators.
• Represent company in hearings, site inspections and regulatory consultations.
• Build and lead a team of environmental professionals and consultants.
• Engage with local communities, NGOs and government agencies.
• Identify environmental/regulatory/legal risks and advise management on mitigations.

Skills

EIA/EMP knowledge

Regulatory approvals

Stakeholder liaison

Public hearing management

Technical report writing

Leadership & team building

Regulatory risk mitigation

Communication & negotiation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science or allied discipline

Master's degree in Environmental Science/Engineering or Natural Resource Management

Tools

PARIVESH system

GIS software

Remote sensing

Job description

Purpose/Objective

• Lead the complete environmental clearance and statutory approval function of the organization.
• Secure EC, FC, CRZ, Wildlife, Mangrove, Pollution Control consents and other statutory NOCs.
• Ensure full compliance with applicable environmental laws, notifications, regulations and judicial directives.
• Support timely project execution through approval strategies and resolution of regulatory bottlenecks.
• Advise senior management on environmental risks, compliance requirements and sustainability matters.

Key Responsibilities of Role

• Environmental Clearance: Lead end-to-end Environmental Clearance process from MoEF&CC and SEIAA.
• Ensure compliance with EIA Notification, 2006 and subsequent amendments.
• Manage preparation and review of EIA / EMP reports through accredited consultants.
• Obtain and manage Terms of Reference approvals.
• Coordinate public hearings and stakeholder consultations.
• Represent and defend proposals before EAC / SEAC committees.
• Liaise with regulatory authorities for timely approval.
• Forest Clearance: Drive Forest Clearance process including Stage-I and Stage-II approvals.
• Coordinate compliance related to Compensatory Afforestation, NPV and other conditions.
• Submit and track proposals through the PARIVESH Portal.
• Liaise with State Forest Departments and Nodal Officers.
• Ensure compliance with Forest Conservation Act and related regulations.
• CRZ Clearance: Lead CRZ approval process for coastal and marine projects.
• Manage CRZ demarcation and ensure CZMP compliance.
• Liaise with SCZMA and NCZMA.
• Prepare, submit and follow up CRZ proposals.
• Ensure compliance with CRZ Notifications 2011 and 2019.
• Mangrove & Coastal Ecosystem Approvals: Manage mangrove diversion permissions and related compliance.
• Oversee afforestation, restoration and conservation plans.
• Coordinate coastal and marine ecological assessments.
• Ensure compliance with directions of regulatory authorities, NGT and courts.
• Mitigate risks in environmentally sensitive coastal areas.
• Wildlife & Biodiversity Clearances: Secure Wildlife Clearance from the National Board for Wildlife, wherever applicable.
• Obtain approvals for projects within or near protected areas and Eco-Sensitive Zones.
• Ensure compliance with Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
• Coordinate with Biodiversity Management Committees and relevant authorities.
• Pollution Control Consents: Obtain Consent to Establish and Consent to Operate from Pollution Control Boards.
• Ensure compliance under the Water Act, Air Act and related environmental laws.
• Manage hazardous waste authorizations and other environmental consents.
• Other Statutory Approvals & NOCs: Coordinate approvals and NOCs from MoEF&CC, CPCB, SPCBs, SCZMA, Forest Department, CGWA, Ports, Revenue and local authorities.
• Ensure all regulatory dependencies are resolved for smooth project execution.
• Leadership & Stakeholder Management: Define and implement the organization’s environmental strategy and compliance framework.
• Act as the principal interface with regulatory bodies and statutory authorities.
• Represent the company in public hearings, site inspections, appraisal meetings and regulatory consultations.
• Build and lead a strong team of environmental professionals, liaison officers, consultants and technical experts.
• Engage with local communities, project-affected persons, NGOs, consultants and government agencies.
• Identify environmental, regulatory, legal, cost and reputational risks and advise management on mitigation plans.

Qualification Requirements

• Essential Qualification: Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering, Ecology, Botany, Zoology, Forestry, Marine Science or allied discipline.
• Master’s Degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering / Management, Ecology, Forestry, Marine / Coastal Science or Natural Resource Management.

Preferred Qualification

• Ph.D. in Environmental Science, Ecology, Marine Biology, Forestry or related field.
• NABET / QCI accreditation as EIA Coordinator or Functional Area Expert.
• ISO 14001 Lead Auditor certification or similar environmental auditing qualification.
• Certification in Environmental Law, GIS & Remote Sensing, ESG, Sustainability or Occupational Health & Safety.

Experience Requirements

• Minimum 25 years of progressive experience in environmental management, regulatory affairs and statutory approvals.
• Proven track record of independently securing EC, FC, CRZ, Wildlife, Mangrove and other statutory clearances.
• Experience in large-scale infrastructure, industrial, port, coastal, irrigation, dam, canal, water supply, power, oil & gas, mining, cement, highway or similar projects.
• Strong working knowledge of Indian environmental laws, approval procedures and the PARIVESH system.

Key Skills & Competencies

• Strong knowledge of EIA / EMP preparation and review.
• Expertise in EC, FC, CRZ, Wildlife, Mangrove and Pollution Control approvals.
• Sound understanding of Indian environmental legislation and regulatory procedures.
• Strong liaison and representation skills with government authorities.
• Excellent leadership, communication, negotiation and presentation skills.
• Ability to handle public hearings, stakeholder consultations and regulatory committees.
• Strong technical report-writing and compliance documentation skills.
• Knowledge of GIS, remote sensing, CRZ mapping, mangrove mapping and environmental monitoring.
• Strong professional network with regulatory bodies, consultants, institutions and industry forums.

Key Performance Indicators

• Timely acquisition of EC, FC, CRZ, Wildlife, Mangrove and other approvals.
• 100% statutory compliance with no major adverse regulatory action.
• Timely submission of compliance reports and closure of approval conditions.
• Effective mitigation of environmental, legal and reputational risks.
• Optimization of clearance-related costs including CA, NPV, EMP and restoration commitments.
• Achievement of afforestation, restoration, biodiversity, ESG and sustainability targets.

Technical Competencies

• Environmental Risk Assessment
• Pollution Prevention and Control
• Waste Management and Circular Economy Practices
• Incident Investigation and Root Cause Analysis

Qualifications and Experience

• Position Title Head - Environment Department Environment, Health, Safety & Sustainability / Regulatory Affairs
• Reporting To BU Head/CEO
• Location Ahmedabad
• Experience Required 25+ years
• Employment Type Full-Time / Senior Leadership Role