Some leadership roles are designed to maintain the status quo.
This is not one of them.
This is an opportunity to influence direction, lead meaningful change, and deliver environmental and sustainability outcomes that will have a lasting impact on a rapidly growing community.
We are seeking an experienced and forward-thinking leader to oversee a diverse Environment and Sustainability portfolio. This senior position spans environmental management and compliance, sustainability strategy, climate and carbon initiatives, circular economy programs, waste and resource recovery planning, stakeholder engagement, and strategic partnerships.
The portfolio is broad and varied, bringing together environmental stewardship, sustainability leadership, operational planning, regulatory responsibilities, and community-focused outcomes.
While waste and resource recovery form an important component of the role, the primary focus is leading a high-performing Environment and Sustainability function that can respond to growth, meet legislative obligations, and deliver practical, measurable results.
Candidates may come from local government, state government, environmental management, sustainability, consulting, infrastructure, utilities, resources, or other highly regulated sectors. More important than sector background is the ability to lead people, navigate complexity, make sound decisions, and turn strategic objectives into action.
Why this opportunity matters
Population growth brings significant environmental, operational, and community challenges.
This role will play a critical part in shaping how the organisation responds to those challenges, balancing environmental protection, compliance, sustainability priorities, resource recovery, and community expectations.
Reporting to the Executive Director Technical Services, you will lead a multidisciplinary team responsible for strategic planning, service delivery, compliance, stakeholder engagement, and operational outcomes.
You will have the opportunity to:
- Lead the organisation's environmental and sustainability agenda.
- Drive initiatives across environmental planning, compliance, sustainability, circular economy, carbon reduction, and waste management.
- Create focus, alignment, and momentum across a complex portfolio.
- Develop team capability and foster a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
- Provide high-quality advice to executives, elected members, and internal stakeholders.
- Strengthen partnerships with government agencies, industry bodies, community organisations, and regional collaborators.
- Secure funding opportunities and establish strategic partnerships that deliver long-term community and environmental benefits.
This role will suit a leader who enjoys solving problems, making decisions, and delivering outcomes in dynamic and evolving environments.
You may have gained your experience in environmental management, sustainability, consulting, infrastructure, utilities, waste management, resources, local government, state government, or another complex operational setting.
You may not have held the title of Head of Environment and Sustainability before, but you will possess the leadership capability, professional judgement, and credibility required to lead a significant and diverse function.
To be successful, you will bring:
- Demonstrated leadership experience within environmental, sustainability, or related service areas.
- A proactive and solutions-focused leadership approach.
- The confidence to take ownership, make decisions, and deliver results.
- Strong knowledge of environmental compliance, governance, risk management, and regulatory frameworks.
- The ability to operate effectively across technical, operational, community, and political environments.
- Experience leading teams through change, growth, and competing priorities.
- Sound financial management, procurement, contract management, and project delivery skills.
- Strong communication and influencing skills, with the ability to engage effectively at senior levels.
