Lead Technical Director Environmental Approvals (Remote)

What if you could do the kind of work the world needs? 

At WSP, you can access our global scale, contribute to landmark projects and connect with the brightest minds in your field to do the best work of your life. You can embrace your curiosity in a culture that celebrates new ideas and diverse perspectives. You can experience a world of opportunity and the chance to shape a career as unique as you. 

The opportunity

The Lead Technical Director, Environmental Approvals is a new national role reporting to the Director of Ecology, Environmental Approvals and Engagement. 

This role is an exceptional leadership opportunity that emphasises technical excellence and strategic influence, underscoring its critical importance to our business. The role combines technical leadership and project delivery and you will have an established reputation for technical excellence in the environmental planning and approvals practice, have strong influential skills and a passion for technical excellence.  

You’ll bring flair, fresh thinking, and innovation to our practice, and burnish WSP’s reputation for delivering high quality, industry-leading approvals, impact assessment and planning services.

This role can be based in any major WSP Australian office (Sydney, Newcastle, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth) with the option to work from home up to two days per week for a healthy work-life balance. 

Day to day, you will: 

• Collaboratively develop and implement the Environmental Approvals expertise strategy. 
• Provide strong leadership by example, to influence and motivate teams. 
• Influence and mentor Technical Directors, Technical Executives, and high-potential consultants. 
• Promote a national culture of technical excellence, learning and innovation to attract top diverse talent. 
• Be a beacon for technical excellence, linking our national teams with our global WSP knowledge platforms and experts.  
• Foster development and mentoring of technical abilities at all levels.  
• Update and maintain technical methodologies, procedures, training and accreditations. 
• Participate in technical associations and seek speaking, chairing, and publishing roles. 
• Drive innovation in this sector, including through tools such as digital EIS and other GIS based platforms to support effective project delivery. 
• Provide strategic advice, technical reviews, and input on key projects and pursuits. 
• Contribute to leadership decisions to assist with the delivery of our strong and growing pipeline of work.  
• Collaborate with key stakeholders and other Lead Technical Directors in the business, to drive strong outcomes for the Ecology, Environmental Approvals and Engagement business.  

About You 

You’ll have typically 20+ years’ experience as an environmental professional, including in leadership positions. 

You will also bring: 

• Recognition as an industry expert in a technical discipline that is relevant to Environmental planning and approvals.  
• Market eminence and positive client experience endorsement in any of our key sectors: transport infrastructure, renewable energy, transmission, defence, or mining.   
• Proven ability to prepare and review complex technical project reports, pursuits and proposals. 
• Experience with growth and a keen understanding of retention of technical talent.  
• Prior experience of building technical capability of others and transfer of technical expertise within an organisation.  
• A growth mindset with a strong ability to influence others.  
• Thought leadership with a skill for applying insights to industry trends, solving current problems, and shaping strategy. 
• Extensive experience in developing strong client relationships (external and internal) that builds contracted backlog. 

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) 

KPIs are based on business plans and strategic objectives within Ecology, Environmental Approvals and Engagement. 

Specific KPIs and targets are likely to include: 

• Coordination/innovation of Technical Training Programs 
• 4 thought leadership activities published by team per annum 
• Team participation in industry, brand building activities and client events 
• Production of LinkedIn articles about Environmental Approval projects that show our expertise and experience 
• National Focus – demonstrated through technical project involvement in all major states 
• Maintenance of your utilisation target 
• Improved retention – measurable through a decrease an annual turnover 
• Improved team engagement – measurable via an increase in WSP Engagement survey results  
• Improved client satisfaction – measurable through the client feedback portal  

Imagine a better future for you and a better future for us all. 

Join our close-knit community of talented individuals who share your passion for making a positive impact. Our global team includes more than 69,000 employees, working together to make a difference in communities both close to home and around the world. 

An employee Share Purchase Plan is available to all our permanent employees who wish to become owners and vested partners in WSP’s collective success. To find out more about our commitment to the health and wellbeing of our people, and the programs we’ve designed to help you thrive, go to our Employee Benefits page. 

With us, you can. Apply today. 

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