Build the capability you are ready to lead A well-established multidisciplinary consultancy is seeking a Principal Planner / Lead to join its environmental management business in Sydney with a national presence and one of the largest specialist teams in Australia.

This is a senior appointment for an environmental planning and approvals professional who is ready for greater influence, stronger client ownership and a clear pathway into capability leadership.

The opportunity combines complex project delivery, strategic approvals advice, client development, commercial responsibility and technical mentoring across major infrastructure and energy-related projects.

It will suit someone who has built strong technical credibility but is now looking for the platform to shape and ultimately lead a growing NSW planning capability.

The opportunity

You will work across asset classes and lead environmental planning and approvals work across sectors including:

- NSW Government
- Transport
- Utilities
- Energy & Renewables
- Major infrastructure

The role is broader than technical delivery alone. You will help shape approval strategies, guide multidisciplinary teams, advise senior clients and contribute to the growth of the business.

For the right person, there may be a direct and credible pathway into broader leadership as the capability develops.

What you will do

You will lead, prepare and review planning and approvals work including:

- Environmental Impact Statements
- Reviews of Environmental Factors
- Development Applications
- State Significant Development documentation
- State Significant Infrastructure documentation
- Strategic planning assessments




- Planning due diligence
- Approval pathway advice
- Environmental assessment documentation

You will also:

- Identify planning, regulatory and stakeholder risks
- Develop practical and commercially sound approval strategies
- Coordinate multidisciplinary technical teams
- Manage project scope, budget, programme and quality
- Engage with clients, agencies and regulators
- Contribute to proposals, tenders and client presentations
- Strengthen existing client relationships
- Identify current project and market opportunities
- Mentor planners and environmental consultants
- Support the continued development of the NSW capability

What you will bring You will have substantial experience in environmental planning, client engagement, infrastructure approvals, impact assessment or environmental consulting, ideally within NSW.

You will also bring

- Strong knowledge of NSW planning and environmental approvals
- Experience leading complex planning and assessment projects
- Confidence working with senior clients, regulators and agencies
- Strong technical writing and review capability
- A commercially pragmatic approach to project delivery
- Experience contributing to proposals and work winning
- An understanding of project scope, fees,



budgets and programme
- The ability to mentor and guide other professionals
- The ambition to help grow and ultimately lead a capability

A relevant qualification in Environmental Planning, Town Planning, Urban and Regional Planning, Environmental Science or a related discipline is expected. Professional membership with PIA, EIANZ or an equivalent organisation would be advantageous.

Who this will suit

You may currently be operating as:

- a Principal seeking greater influence
- a Senior Associate ready for the next step
- a Planning and Assessment Manager
- a Technical Lead
- an ambitious Senior Consultant already performing above title

You will still enjoy being close to technical delivery and clients, but you will also want the opportunity to:
- Shape a service offering
- Develop people
- Build client relationships
- Influence business direction
- Progress into broader leadership

The opportunity is for someone who wants to build. Why consider the opportunity?

The organisation offers

- An established national multidisciplinary platform
- Access to major infrastructure and energy projects
- Atrong internal environmental and technical capability
- Airect exposure to senior business leaders
- Autonomy and meaningful project ownership
- The opportunity to influence future team growth
- A clear pathway into capability leadership

Apply For a confidential discussion, contact HRG or submit your CV. All enquiries will be handled discreetly, and further details about the organisation will be shared during the initial conversation.

📌 Principal Planning Lead - Environmental (Sydney)
🏢 HRG: Telecommunications, Technology, Renewables
📍 Sydney