Managing Consultant - Environmental Planning

About the role

ERM, a sustainability consulting firm, is looking for a Managing Consultant in Environmental Planning to join its Adelaide team. The role covers statutory planning, environmental permitting and licensing, with regular environmental impact assessment (EIA) work on large, complex projects in mining, renewables and major infrastructure. It sits within the Partner group and involves leading projects end to end.

Key responsibilities

• Lead planning, permitting and approvals projects from start to finish, owning scope, programme, budget and project risk.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams and give technical direction and quality review, drawing on ecology, heritage, noise, air quality, contaminated land, hydrogeology and climate change and sustainability specialists.
• Act as a trusted adviser to clients, shaping approvals strategy and explaining complex regulatory requirements.
• Build and maintain senior relationships with regulators and agencies, and negotiate approval pathways.
• Review and sign off planning reports, permit and licence applications and EIA documentation, while contributing technically where needed.
• Lead proposals and scopes, set fees and grow key client accounts alongside the Partner group.
• Supervise, mentor and develop junior staff, including allocating work and supporting their performance and career growth.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning, Environmental Science, Environmental Management or a related discipline.
• 7+ years of experience in statutory planning, environmental permitting and licensing, environmental approvals or impact assessment, ideally in consulting.
• Experience contributing to or leading proposals and client development.
• Sound working knowledge of South Australian and Commonwealth planning and environmental legislation, or the capacity to learn it.
• Authorisation to work in Australia.

Required skills

• Project management and coordination, including programmes, budgets, deliverables and multidisciplinary inputs.
• Client liaison and stakeholder engagement, including with regulators and government agencies.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, able to prepare and review clear technical documents.