Principal/Director - Environment Impact Assessment (Defence)

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AECOM is seeking a Principal/Director in Environmental Impact Assessment for Defence in Australia, with the role based in any Australian office and onsite in Sydney. You will lead environmental impact assessments and approvals on Defence projects, coordinate with industry specialists, manage budgets, timelines and stakeholder relationships, and guide multidisciplinary teams through design, planning and construction phases. The ideal candidate has a degree in environmental science or related field, solid Defence project experience, Baseline clearance, and a sound understanding of the EPBC Act 1999 and heritage values assessments. To apply effectively, showcase Defence project delivery, leadership of diverse teams, budget stewardship, and strong client relationships, plus a readiness to work flexibly.

Company Description

Work with Us. Change the World.

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 are the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world’s most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations.

There has never been a better time to be at AECOM. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. 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.

We're one global team driven by our common purpose to deliver a better world. Join us.

Job Description

“Our teams deliver environmental work that directly support Defence capability across major national programs. With recent program growth we are expanding our multidisciplinary team, offering the opportunity to contribute to complex projects that balance Defence operational requirements with long term environmental stewardship outcomes” - Lauren Spring, ANZ Defence Environment Lead

Come grow with us.

Our national Defence capability is well established and continuing to grow, backed by strong leadership, investment and a track record of success. We are delivering major, complex programs across the country through a genuinely multidisciplinary model, working closely with our Buildings + Places team to bring the full breadth of our expertise to every project.

As our Defence portfolio expands, so does our team. This is an opportunity to join a high performing, collaborative group that is building real momentum in the market. If you are looking for a long term home where you can contribute to significant projects, lead teams and be part of a national team that is winning and delivering meaningful Defence work, we would love to hear from you.

We are a passionate team of environmental impact assessors working within an organisation creating meaningful change both in Australia and around the globe

Our team are connected to our colleagues across Australia and New Zealand, and globally across the world, which allows our team members to take up opportunities to work on exciting projects in a variety of regions on both a short term and long-term basis. 

This role can be based in any of our Australian offices.

How you’ll make a difference

• Working closely with industry specialists to undertake and coordinate environmental impact assessments and approvals on Defence projects
• Work alongside Management Teams, to ensure environmental matters are appropriately considered and managed at all stages of design development and project construction
• Project manage, develop bids and develop relationships with clients and stakeholders on a range of projects.
• Coordinate and provide guidance to multidisciplinary teams, helping identify risks, resolve issues, and manage change through planning, design and approval stages.
• Support the continued growth of our business and foster the development of environmental planning and approvals across the region.  

Qualifications

The qualities that help you thrive

The following qualifications and experience are highly desired, but if you don’t tick all the boxes you could still be a perfect fit for this role. Please apply, all applications will be considered.

• A degree in environmental science (or a related field), with solid experience in environmental impact assessments and planning approvals across a range of sectors.
• Strong experience working on Defence projects in Australia – you’ll need to hold a Baseline clearance at a minimum and have a solid understanding of the Defence environment framework.
• Demonstrated experience in the assessment of impact to environment and heritage values on the Defence estate 
• Strong coordination skills with the ability to manage budgets, timelines and deliverables, while building trusted client relationships and contributing to a positive, collaborative team culture.
• Understanding of the EPBC Act 1999 and how it applies to environmental impact assessment and Defence projects 

Additional Information

As the world's most trusted infrastructure consulting firm, we’re committed to managing our business with the utmost responsibility and to always strive for better –  reducing emissions, creating social value, or diversifying our senior leadership and workforce. 

We understand both the urgency of the challenges facing our society and our responsibility to respond in an impactful and enduring way. Armed with this consciousness, we’re leading the change toward a more sustainable and equitable future, partnering with those who want to make a positive difference in the world. 

We’re listening to clients and the communities we serve to improve lives and livelihoods, and to create sustainable legacies for generations to come. Thinking without limits is what keeps us at the vanguard. Ideas have no borders, and this ethos is embedded in our culture. The full scope of our global expertise is available to anyone who needs it, wherever they are based. 

We’re trusted advisors — planners, designers, engineers, consultants, and program and construction managers — delivering professional services spanning cities, transportation, buildings, water, new energy, and the environment. 

Why you’ll love working with us

• Flexible work arrangements, including alternative start/finish times, part-time, job-sharing and hybrid work options
• Purchase up to 6 weeks additional annual leave per year         
• Swap public holidays – swap Easter or other holidays for ones that suit you better
• Continuous learning and growth - lunch and learns, professional development courses, financial study assistance, 5 days paid study leave, global career opportunities

Ready to push the limits of what’s possible?

We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including those with disabilities, additional health or mental health needs, and/or neurodiverse conditions. If you require any adjustments during the hiring process, please let us know.

Applications are reviewed as they come in, and the role may close earlier than expected, so if this opportunity sounds like you, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

Learn more about life at AECOM: LinkedIn, Facebook , Instagram, X, YouTube - explore our AECOM voices, employee stories, latest projects, and much more!

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. We are committed to connecting to Country in our work through meaningful engagement with First Nations peoples and businesses.  Find out more about our Australian Reconciliation Action Plan here: https://aecom.com/au/our-vision-for-reconciliation/.

About AECOM

AECOM is the world’s trusted infrastructure consulting firm, delivering professional services throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. On projects spanning transportation, buildings, water, new energy and the environment, our public- and private-sector clients trust us to solve their most complex challenges. Our teams are driven by a common purpose to deliver a better world through our unrivaled technical and digital expertise, a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion, and a commitment to environmental, social and governance priorities. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm and its Professional Services business had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2024. See how we are delivering sustainable legacies for generations to come at aecom.com and @AECOM.

Freedom to Grow in a World of Opportunity 

You will have the flexibility you need to do your best work with hybrid work options. Whether you’re working from an AECOM office, remote location or at a client site, you will be working in a dynamic environment where your integrity, entrepreneurial spirit and pioneering mindset are championed.

You will help us foster a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion – a safe and respectful workplace, where we invite everyone to bring their whole selves to work using their unique talents, backgrounds and expertise to create transformational outcomes for our clients.

AECOM provides a wide array of compensation and benefits programs to meet the diverse needs of our employees and their families. We also provide a robust global well-being program. We’re the world’s trusted global infrastructure firm, and we’re in this together – your growth and success are ours too.

Join us, and you’ll get all the benefits of being a part of a global, publicly traded firm – access to industry-leading technology and thinking and transformational work with big impact and work flexibility. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in each person’s potential, and we’ll help you reach yours.