Marine Environmental Practice Director

About the opportunity Buddy Advisory is pleased to be partnering with ERIAS, a boutique strategic environmental and social impact assessment consultancy specialising in complex project approvals across the renewable energy, resources, and infrastructure sectors. As their projects continue to grow in scale and complexity, ERIAS is looking for a Marine Environmental Practice Director to lead and grow the Marine & Freshwater Sciences practice.

What you’ll be doing

• This is a senior leadership role for a practitioner who's just as comfortable leading fieldwork as they are in the boardroom or in front of a client.
• You'll shape ERIAS's approach to marine and freshwater environmental impact assessment across both developed and developing-country settings, while actively growing the client base, the team, and the practice's standing in the market.
• Business development is one of the key aspects of this role. You'll be expected to identify and pursue new opportunities, build lasting client relationships, and help convert ERIAS's technical reputation into commercial growth; not just deliver strong science, but win the work that lets that science happen.
• Beyond BD, you'll own the full service-line remit: technical leadership, team capability, and strategic direction.
• This is a role for someone who wants to build something lasting; for the practice, for clients, and for the people they lead along the way.

What we’re looking for

• Provide expert technical leadership across marine and freshwater environmental impact assessment, developing ERIAS's frameworks, tools and methodologies to ensure consistent, quantitative assessment across diverse project contexts.
• Lead business development efforts and support the preparation of major bids, tenders and marketing initiatives that strengthen the practice's commercial position.
• Keep the practice ahead of evolving codes, guidelines and best practice, overseeing regulatory compliance and driving continuous improvement in technical standards.
• Advise on resourcing and proposal strategy for complex bids involving marine and freshwater science.
• Build and maintain strong networks with specialist subcontractors, government agencies and clients to grow ERIAS's pipeline.
• Contribute to ERIAS's strategic plan, actively identifying and converting opportunities aligned to it.
• Represent ERIAS at conferences and industry forums to raise the practice's profile and generate new business.
• Mentor and develop the marine and freshwater team, championing professional development and communicating capability across the business to support cross-practice collaboration and a culture of high performance.

What you bring

• The technical depth, leadership credentials and commercial instinct to walk into a Director-level role and make it your own.
• A strong track record leading marine and freshwater environmental impact assessment at a senior level.
• Deep command of relevant standards, regulatory frameworks and best practice – locally and internationally.
• A proven ability to build relationships that turn into work, backed by genuine commercial acumen.
• Clear, confident communication that translates technical complexity for boards, clients and field teams alike.
• A leadership style grounded in investing in people, not just projects – mentoring comes naturally.
• Strong organisational skills, sharp attention to detail, and comfort juggling competing priorities.
• Sound judgement under pressure, paired with a collaborative and adaptable mindset.
• Relevant tertiary qualifications in Environmental Sciences or a related discipline.

Why ERIAS

• Work on some of the most consequential environmental and social impact projects in Australia and the Pacific.
• Own and shape a growing service line – with the backing, trust and resources to build it your way.
• Join a close-knit, highly skilled team where your expertise and judgement are genuinely valued.
• Enjoy flexible working and a culture that rewards initiative, collaboration and professional growth.
• Make a tangible impact across the renewable energy, resources and infrastructure sectors at scale.