Environment Manager, Development

Company Description

MAKE IT ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY

At Sydney Airport, the future of air travel is shaped by you.

As a team, we connect the world. More than just a hub of activity and boundless energy, we’re creating a destination of amazing experiences. Like seeing wonderful moments unfold in front of you, knowing “I made that possible!”.

Dynamic. Fast-paced. We thrive in a place where fresh challenges land daily. Backed by positive and supportive team players and inspiring leaders, we adapt to change. Driven to grow. Owning every action. To do things better.

As smart, problem-solvers, we are always learning and growing. And that’s easier to do alongside passionate experts, as we collaborate across teams readily sharing our knowledge.

Each day is a new journey, as we bring an exciting vision to life. With significant capital investment in new, improved infrastructure, there’s never been a better time to expand your potential at Sydney Airport. The range of responsibilities and diverse pathways you can take on with us, are surprising.

We are SYD. United in the pride that comes with welcoming the world at Australia’s premier gateway.

Job Description

About the team and the role

Sydney Airport is entering an exciting and highly active phase of development, with approximately $5bn of major works planned over the next five years. This includes complex, high‑profile construction projects across airport operations, tenant developments and major infrastructure.

The Environment Manager, Development sits within the Environment & Sustainability function (part of the Government Relations Sustainability and Legal business unit) and plays a pivotal role in enabling responsible growth across the airport precinct. Working closely with the Project Management and Delivery team, this role ensures environmental considerations are embedded into project planning, approvals and delivery from day one.

This is a senior, trusted advisory role operating in a fast‑moving environment where priorities shift and volume is high. Success requires strong judgement, the confidence to prioritise under pressure, and the ability to partner effectively with both internal stakeholders and external regulators. You will join a close knit, effective team who support each other and are passionate about what they do.

In this role, you will have the opportunity to

• Partner closely with Planning & Development to ensure projects comply with environmental legislation, planning approvals, and the Airport Environment Strategy
• Provide environmental input into development assessments, major development plans and project decision‑making across the full lifecycle
• Act as a credible point of contact with regulators and government agencies, confidently representing the organisation when required
• Oversee construction‑phase environmental compliance, including contractor performance against Environmental Management Plans
• Contribute to and continuously improve Environmental Management Systems, processes and strategies related to development and construction
• Translate complex environmental and regulatory requirements into clear, practical advice for non‑technical stakeholders
• Balance competing priorities in a high‑volume environment, backing your judgement and making sound decisions under pressure
• Work collaboratively across the business — influencing outcomes by working with people rather than directing them
• Be involved in both strategic planning and hands‑on delivery, including regular site inspections (without being site‑based full time)

About you

You are an experienced environmental professional with a strong construction and approvals background, ideally gained in major infrastructure, aviation, transport, utilities or other capital‑intensive environments. You’re commercially minded, pragmatic, and comfortable operating where complexity and change are the norm.

You will bring:

• Tertiary qualifications in environmental management, environmental science, engineering or a related discipline
• Senior‑level experience in environmental management across construction and development projects
• Strong knowledge of state and Commonwealth legislation, approvals pathways and compliance requirements
• Proven experience working with regulators and managing sensitive or high‑stakes stakeholder relationships
• The ability to prioritise, juggle competing demands and stay focused in a fast‑paced, issues‑rich environment
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain technical matters clearly and influence senior stakeholders
• A curious, improvement‑focused mindset — always asking why and looking for better ways of working
• A collaborative approach and the confidence to back yourself when pressures inevitably arise

In return, you’ll work on rare, career‑defining projects and play a key role in shaping the environmental outcomes of one of Australia’s most complex infrastructure environments.

What we offer

To find out more about the amazing work environment here at SYD, be sure to check out the Join us section of Sydney Airport’s website, where you can also see more about our flexible culture and work practices, alongside our other Employee benefits, or take a look at our LinkedIn Sydney Airport: Life page.

Make it Amazing

SYD is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages all suitably qualified applicants to apply, including First Nations Australians, and people from culturally diverse backgrounds.