Head of NPSCY Environment and Planning Approvals

Australian Naval Infrastructure (ANI) is the owner, developer and manager of the Osborne Naval Shipyards, supporting the Commonwealth’s Naval Shipbuilding Plan.

ANI is responsible for designing, constructing and managing critical shipyard infrastructure, including the Nuclear-Powered Submarine Construction Yard (NPSCY) as part of the AUKUS program, as well as operating and maintaining common-use facilities.

Reporting into Program leadership, the Head of Environment and Approvals will lead all program-wide environmental strategy, planning and statutory approvals, sustainability, building certification, and regulatory engagement for the NPSCY.

This role is critical to ensuring all environmental and approvals obligations are effectively managed across the full program lifecycle, supporting compliant, timely delivery of a nationally significant infrastructure program.

• Lead the strategy, coordination, and management of all planning, development and environmental approvals.
• Provide functional leadership to the Environment and Approvals team consisting of ANI employees and contracted support including training and capability uplift.
• Establish and oversee environmental management frameworks, systems, and processes.
• Develop and manage plans and schedules to achieve the required approvals and discharge obligations to support delivery of the infrastructure to the agreed schedule.
• Lead the development and implementation of sustainability strategies and initiatives for the NPSCY.
• Manage building certification activities and compliance requirements.
• Maintain effective relationships with senior representatives of Commonwealth and State Agencies and Regulators.
• Establish governance and reporting processes related to approvals and environmental.
• Manage Program assurance activities for environmental compliance
• Oversee audits, inspections, and independent reviews of environmental performance.
• Manage incident reporting, investigations and corrective actions.
• Identify and manage risks related to environment and approvals.
• Collaborate with internal teams, contractors, and delivery partners to ensure integrated outcomes.
• Provide expert advice to Program leadership on approvals and environmental matters.
• Promote continuous improvement and leading practice across environmental and approvals disciplines.

You are an experienced leader who thrives in complex, high-stakes environments and brings a strong balance of technical expertise, stakeholder engagement and strategic thinking.

You’ll play a key role in shaping how ANI delivers environmental and approvals outcomes at scale ensuring compliance while enabling program progress.

• Australian citizenship and eligibility to obtain and maintain required security clearances.
• Extensive experience in environmental management, planning approvals, or sustainability roles.
• Deep knowledge of environmental and planning legislation, systems and processes.
• Experience managing approvals and discharging requirements for multi-billion dollar programs of work.
• Experience overseeing environmental management systems and sustainability initiatives.
• Knowledge of building certification processes and compliance requirements.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing capability.
• Exceptional organisational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Leadership of multidisciplinary teams and advisors.
• Commitment to sustainability, compliance, and continuous improvement.

Applicants must be able to either hold or be able to gain and maintain a Defence security clearance. Applicants will be required to consent to background checks.

To apply, click the ‘Apply’ button and follow the prompts, include a cover letter & current resume.

Applications close:  5pm, 26th July 2026