Senior Environment Advisor (Contaminated Land & Operations)

We currently have an exciting new opportunity for a seasoned and proactive Senior Environment Advisor and further information as needed] to join our Environment and Sustainability team.

The Senior Environment Advisor role is focussed on providing advice to Melbourne Airport Management to meet its environmental obligations under the Airports (Environment Protection) Regulations 1997 and associated Commonwealth and State legislation. The role is to lead the development and implementation of tailored PFAS management strategies for MEL and LST, ensuring effective engagement with tenants and key stakeholders—including regulators, agencies, and the community stakeholders —to drive compliance, transparency, and environmental outcomes.

The role provides strategic and technical environmental advice to tenants, oversees consultant-delivered reporting, and ensures compliance with Commonwealth and State legislation. It also involves identifying and managing environmental risks, conducting tenant inspections, and embedding environmental conditions into operational schedules to support long-term compliance and performance.

Explore how we are thinking big with exciting projects like the Third Runway, state-of-the-art terminals, and thriving business park developments. You can also learn more about life at Melbourne Airport – our culture, values, and what makes us unique at https://www.melbourneairport.com.au/corporate/our-culture-and-values. Join us in shaping the future of aviation as we propel Melbourne Airport towards becoming Australia's favourite Airport destination.

Key responsibilities:

The role's duties and accountabilities include, but are not limited to:

PFAS Strategy and Risk Management

• Develop, maintain, and communicate tailored PFAS strategies for MEL and LST, including updates on APAC’s PFAS technical risk position to senior leadership, directors, and Boards.
• Provide technical support to APAC Legal in relation to legal proceedings involving tenants or potential third-party class actions.

Tenant and Project Engagement

• Maintain active engagement with PFAS-related tenants to drive progress on key projects (e.g. AFFF change-out, deluge water retention, Airservices remediation and PMPs).
• Provide strategic environmental advice to tenants, manage consultants, and review technical reports to ensure compliance with Commonwealth and State legislation.

Environmental Risk and Compliance

• Identify, implement, and manage environmental risk mitigation measures.
• Conduct tenant inspections to ensure compliance with Environmental Management Plans and foster a culture of environmental responsibility.

Regulatory and Technical Leadership

• Stay current with PFAS-related regulatory and technical developments and their application to APAC.
• Prepare technical advice, procedures, and risk management measures to address emerging issues.

Stakeholder and Community Engagement

• Facilitate engagement with Commonwealth and State regulators, local councils, and community stakeholders. This includes coordinating quarterly regulator roundtables, managing works under Notices, and supporting the Department of Infrastructure’s PFAS Investigation Program.

Environmental Strategy and Systems

• Assist in the implementation of the Melbourne Airport Environment Strategy by working with stakeholders to achieve strategic objectives and commitments.
• Contribute to the maintenance and accreditation of APAC’s Environmental Management System to the ISO14001 standard.

Construction and Operational Support

• Provide environmental advice to Melbourne Airport, contractors, and business partners on construction and operational activities.
• Review environmental management plans, conduct site inspections, negotiate practical compliance solutions, and promote a positive environmental culture.

Governance and Reporting

• Assist in the preparation and delivery of regulatory and business reports.
• Develop papers and presentations to leadership team, (e.g. remediation projects) to support informed decision-making

The successful candidate will have:

• Degree in Environmental Engineering / Science (or similar)
• Demonstrated (10+ years) experience in contaminated land investigations and fieldwork including the management of contaminated land projects involving complex regulatory regimes, multiple stakeholders and reputation management
• Experience in the management of PFAS and a strong understanding of its current regulatory and site management requirements
• Strong experience in providing environmental advice about contaminated land, groundwater and surface water assessment and management.
• Highly developed working knowledge of Commonwealth and State environmental legislation, approval processes and precedents (contaminated land management)
• Highly developed project management experience including the management of technical consultants, budgets and site works
• Established working relationship with key stakeholders at the Commonwealth and State government (Victoria and Tasmania) desired
• Highly developed report writing and interpersonal skills
• Experience in working in an airport environment (desirable)
• Experience in the application of Environmental Management Systems.
• Experience in providing strategic advice to senior leadership

We understand that not everyone will feel they meet all of these 100%. However, if you feel you have the attitude and aptitude to grow within our team, we invite you to apply and have a conversation with us about this position.

About the Company:

Melbourne Airport (Australia Pacific Airports Corporation) is proud to be one of Australia's premier transport hubs and Victoria's gateway to the world, connecting us to the global marketplace. We are committed to creating connections that matter and enhancing the traveller experience across every aspect of our organisation to deliver our vision of becoming Australia's favourite Airport destination. Currently, in an exciting phase of change, we are delivering rewarding career opportunities, making Melbourne Airport a dynamic and fast-paced place to work for our people.

APAC is a majority Australian-owned private company that also operates Launceston Airport, the tourism gateway to Tasmania and an industry multi-award-winning airport.

Culture and Values:

By joining the team at Melbourne Airport, you will work within a friendly, high-performance culture with a focus on our people and their development.

Our vision is to become Australia's favourite Airport destination and our people are paramount to achieving this success. We provide a supportive environment, with values that encourage all of our employees to Be You, Think Big, Own it and Work Together.

Benefits:

• Free access to Higher State, our state-of-the-art Fitness Club & Wellness Hub at Novotel & ibis Styles Airport hotel.
• Airport car parking 24 hours/365 days a year for both business and personal use
• Hybrid flexible working arrangements
• Airport Holiday, an additional day of leave
• Wellness Day, a further additional day of leave
• Discounted onsite childcare at Creative Garden Early Learning
• Mental health and well-being initiatives, including Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Long-term career and professional development opportunities
• Active social culture and participation in a range of social impact days and activities
• Signature Experiences including an airfield family day
• Access to an employee benefits scheme including access to corporate rates and airport retailer discounts (including SkyBus)

APAC is committed to weaving Diversity into our DNA. We believe that Diversity and Inclusion will help us realise our greatest potential as a company, and maximise the potential of all our team members. We strive to create a culture where our team members understand that each individual is unique and that embracing diversity makes us more flexible, productive, and creative.

APAC provides equal opportunity and advancement in employment regardless of gender, age, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, cultural background, caring responsibilities, disability or socioeconomic background. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds who share our workplace values of Being You, Thinking Big, Owning It and Working Together.