NSW and ACT Environmental Approvals, Heritage and Ecology Manager

Overview

In this Sector Manager role, you lead AECOM’s Sydney, Newcastle and Canberra environmental and approvals practice, guiding a multidisciplinary team to deliver environmental planning, impact assessment, and permitting solutions. You’ll shape the business direction, strengthen client relationships, and drive growth while upholding technical excellence and collaborative culture. The role sits within a global network focused on complex infrastructure, energy, water and development projects, delivering sustainable outcomes. You’ll act as a catalyst for talent development and market leadership in a dynamic, cross‑regional environment.

Pay / Benefits

• flexible working arrangements (hybrid)
• up to 6 weeks additional annual leave
• flex public holidays
• continuous learning and professional development
• financial assistance for further study with paid study leave
• global career opportunities

Responsibilities

• Lead and shape the environmental and approvals business across Sydney, Newcastle and Canberra
• Provide leadership, guidance and direction to multidisciplinary specialists and people leaders
• Drive client leadership, business development, project sponsorship and strategic advisory services
• Oversee business growth, client relationships, and delivery of complex projects
• Foster collaboration, accountability, inclusion and technical excellence across the team
• Develop and mentor talent; succession planning and capability development
• Work with ANZ leadership to enable cross‑region collaboration and capability growth
• Ensure delivery excellence, governance, risk management and financial performance
• Align people, projects and business needs to deliver sustainable outcomes
• Lead culture building and talent development to develop future leaders

Key requirements

• Tertiary qualifications in Environmental Planning, Environmental Science, Ecology, Geography, Environmental Engineering, Social Impact, Heritage, Natural Resource Management or related discipline (professional accreditation where applicable)
• Experience leading multidisciplinary environmental, impact assessment, approvals or related consulting teams in professional services
• Proven people leadership with track record of building high‑performing, inclusive teams
• Market-facing experience with client relationship development, strategic pursuits and winning work
• Strong commercial and business leadership: managing financial performance, governance and delivery of objectives
• Ability to lead through change while maintaining engagement and accountability
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills to influence and build credibility
• Strategic thinker with outcomes‑focused mindset aligning people, projects and business
• Experience working with geographically dispersed teams and integrated solutions

• collaboration
• accountability
• inclusion
• environmental planning
• impact assessment
• ecology

Full job description from WhatJobs. Apply for this role →