NSW/ACT Environmental Approvals & Ecology Leader in Newcastle

NSW and ACT Environmental Approvals, Heritage and Ecology Manager

Full-time

Business Group: DCS

Legal Entity: AECOM Australia Pty Ltd

Business Line: Environment

Work Location Model: Hybrid

Operating Group: International

Primary Location: AU - Sydney, NSW

At AECOM, we're delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of over 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world.

AECOM's Impact Assessment and Permitting practice helps clients navigate some of the most complex environmental, planning and permitting challenges facing Australia. We work at the intersection of development, infrastructure, policy and the environment, supporting clients to unlock projects that are critical to communities, economic growth and the energy transition.

Our NSW & ACT team partners with clients across sectors including transport, energy, water, defence, resources and urban development. From early strategic advice and environmental assessment through to approvals, permitting, stakeholder engagement and delivery support, we bring together specialists in environmental planning, impact assessment, ecology, heritage, social performance, engagement and sustainability to deliver integrated solutions.

Supported by AECOM's global capability and local market leadership, our team combines deep technical expertise with strong client relationships and a culture of collaboration, innovation and accountability. Together, we are helping clients respond to some of the biggest challenges of our time while creating a more sustainable and resilient future.

What you’ll be doing:

• Director level leadership opportunity as Sector Manager with AECOM's established NSW & ACT Impact Assessment and Permitting team.
• Lead AECOM's Sydney, Newcastle and Canberra environmental and approvals business, bringing together specialists across environmental planning, impact assessment, ecology, heritage and social impact.
• Significant scope and autonomy to shape the future direction of the business, providing leadership, guidance and direction to a diverse team of technical specialists and people leaders.
• Flexibility to continue leveraging your strengths, whether that is client leadership, business development, project sponsorship, technical excellence or strategic advisory services.
• Part of AECOM's ANZ Impact Assessment and Permitting leadership team, working closely with peers across Australia and New Zealand to drive collaboration, work-sharing, capability development and growth.
• Accountability for business growth, client relationships, workforce planning, talent development, project delivery, technical quality and financial performance.
• Aligning the needs of our people, clients, projects and business to deliver strong, sustainable outcomes.
• Shaping team culture and developing future leaders across Sydney, Newcastle and Canberra.
• Fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, inclusion and technical excellence.
• Developing, mentoring and attracting great talent while driving strong commercial outcomes and sustainable business growth.

The following qualifications and experience are highly desired:

• Tertiary qualifications in Environmental Planning, Environmental Science, Ecology, Geography, Environmental Engineering, Social Impact, Heritage, Natural Resource Management or a related discipline.
• Significant experience leading multidisciplinary environmental, impact assessment, approvals or related consulting teams.
• Demonstrated people leadership capability, with a track record of building engaged, high-performing teams.
• Proven market-facing experience, including developing trusted client relationships and leading strategic pursuits.
• Strong commercial and business leadership capability.
• Demonstrated ability to lead through change.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Strategic thinker with sound judgement and an outcomes-focused mindset.
• Experience working across geographically dispersed teams will be highly regarded.

Why you’ll love working with us:

• Flexible working arrangements, including hybrid work, alternative start and finish times and job sharing options.
• Up to 6 weeks of additional annual leave each year through our purchased leave program.
• Continuous learning and development, including lunch-and-learns and professional development courses.
• Financial assistance for further study, plus 5 days of paid study leave.
• Global career opportunities and the chance to work on major projects with talented teams across Australia and around the world.

At AECOM, we are committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process. All newly hired employees are required to attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment.

AECOM acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands on which we, our clients and our communities live and work around Australia. We pay our respects to their cultures and to their Elders — past, present, and emerging.