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Sustainability Advisor

Bechtel Corporation • Australia • Added on Aug 26, 2026
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You will act as the central point of coordination for sustainability across high-value capital projects in Western Australia, ensuring that environmental and social commitments move from paper to practice. This involves embedding specific sustainability requirements into engineering designs, procurement contracts, and on-site construction workflows while managing formal certification processes. You will guide project teams and contractors to ensure every phase of the build aligns with rigorous performance standards.

The significance of this role lies in its direct impact on Australia’s infrastructure legacy. In an industry known for its heavy environmental footprint, you will be the driver for net-zero ambitions, waste reduction, and resource efficiency on projects that define the region’s aviation, defense, and energy sectors. Your work ensures that these massive engineering feats contribute to long-term climate resilience rather than just physical utility.

This suits someone who possesses a solid technical foundation in construction sustainability and enjoys the challenge of influencing diverse stakeholders. You should be a practical problem-solver who can translate complex rating systems into actionable steps for site-based teams.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The primary mission is to translate a high-level sustainability vision into technical reality for a diverse portfolio of capital works. You will be responsible for leading the application of sustainability requirements across programs, specifically targeting infrastructure and building rating certifications like IS or Green Star. This involves a heavy focus on the pre-construction and delivery phases, where you must ensure that environmental criteria are embedded within contracts and procurement packages. Beyond planning, you will oversee the implementation of sustainability management plans on-site. This includes reviewing contractor documentation for compliance, conducting assurance activities such as audits and inspections, and tracking performance metrics. You are essentially the gatekeeper of sustainability quality, ensuring that every engineering deliverable and construction action contributes to the project's ultimate ESG goals and rating outcomes.

Key learning opportunities for this job

In this role, you will gain unparalleled exposure to the complexities of large-scale infrastructure project management within an integrated team environment. Working on projects for aviation, defense, and energy sectors provides a rare breadth of experience that few roles can offer. You will master the nuances of various rating systems, particularly the Infrastructure Sustainability (IS) and Green Star frameworks, in a highly practical, delivery-focused setting. Furthermore, you will sharpen your skills in sustainable procurement and contract management. Learning how to successfully influence contractors and subcontractors to meet stringent environmental targets will build your capability as a strategic advisor. The exposure to Bechtel's global project management methodologies will also provide a world-class foundation in how sustainability is scaled across multi-billion dollar portfolios.

How does the ideal candidate look like (experience, skills)?

The ideal candidate brings a blend of technical expertise and construction-site savvy. You should have between 5 to 12 years of experience specifically within sustainability or environmental roles in construction. A Bachelor's degree in a related field like Engineering or Environmental Science is expected, but Bechtel highly values practical experience in active delivery environments over purely academic credentials. Professional accreditation is a key differentiator here. Possessing current IS or Green Star professional status is highly desirable, as you will be the technical lead for these submissions. Beyond the technical, the role requires strong interpersonal influence; you must be able to communicate effectively with everyone from design engineers to construction subcontractors to ensure sustainability remains a priority amid tight project deadlines.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, move beyond general sustainability theory and focus your application on evidence-based performance tracking in construction. Highlight specific projects where you successfully navigated a rating certification process from start to finish. Mentioning your familiarity with the Western Australian market or specific sectors like defense and energy will also demonstrate your immediate value to the Perth-based team. Bechtel is a values-driven organization, so aligning your cover letter with their commitment to 'projects of purpose' is essential. Show that you understand the practical constraints of a construction site and explain how you have previously overcome resistance to sustainability initiatives. Demonstrating a proactive approach to audit and assurance activities will signal that you are ready for the rigor of their project management standards.

What aspects of the company's sustainability is this role likely to focus on?

The focus of this role is heavily weighted toward operationalizing decarbonization and resource efficiency. You will likely spend significant time on carbon management, waste reduction strategies, and material selection to meet 'net zero' objectives. Since these projects involve large-scale physical builds, the social and environmental legacy of the infrastructure is a core priority. You will also focus on compliance and governance through the lens of sustainability rating systems. This means ensuring that every piece of data collected on-site serves as valid evidence for formal certifications. The role acts as a bridge between high-level corporate ESG reporting and the granular, day-to-day realities of infrastructure delivery in the field.

What are the main challenges someone in this role might face?

The most significant challenge will be balancing sustainability goals with strict project timelines and budgets. In the fast-paced world of major construction, sustainability requirements can sometimes be viewed as a hurdle rather than a benefit. You will need to be resilient and persuasive to ensure that environmental standards are not compromised during the procurement or construction phases. Additionally, managing diverse contractor performance can be difficult. Different subcontractors may have varying levels of maturity regarding sustainability, requiring you to adapt your communication and oversight style. Keeping track of complex documentation across multiple projects simultaneously will also test your organizational skills and attention to detail.

How could a typical day look like for someone in this position?

A typical day might begin with a site visit or a meeting with construction managers to review progress against the sustainability management plan. You might spend time reviewing tender submissions or engineering designs to ensure they meet the specific carbon or material targets set at the start of the project. This is a role that blends office-based strategic review with active field engagement. In the afternoon, you might coordinate with consultants on Green Star or IS rating evidence, ensuring all documentation is accurate and ready for submission. There will also be a significant amount of stakeholder management, which could involve leading a workshop to educate a new contractor on performance expectations or meeting with the client to report on the project's sustainability metrics and trends.

What are the opportunities for professional growth and development in this role?

Growth in this role can take several paths, from specializing in specific sectors like defense or energy to moving into more senior regional sustainability leadership. Because Bechtel is a global firm, successful performance on these high-profile Australian projects could lead to international opportunities or the chance to lead sustainability for even larger, more complex global programs. You will also have the opportunity to become a recognized expert in infrastructure ratings. As these certifications become mandatory for large public works, your hands-on experience will make you a highly sought-after professional in the industry. There is also the potential to move into broader project management or procurement roles, leveraging your experience in integrating complex requirements into the project lifecycle.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will sit at the intersection of several key groups. Internally, you will work closely with project and contract management teams, as well as engineering and procurement specialists. Your ability to integrate into these teams is crucial for ensuring sustainability is a core part of their deliverables rather than an afterthought. Externally, you will interact frequently with government or private sector customers, sustainability consultants, and a wide array of construction subcontractors. Managing these relationships requires a high degree of professional diplomacy, especially when providing feedback on contractor performance or responding to technical queries during the tender evaluation process.

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