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Sustainability Specialist

John Holland • Australia • Added on Aug 4, 2026
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This role acts as a vital bridge between high-level ESG strategy and the operational realities of massive infrastructure projects. You will be responsible for translating corporate sustainability goals into actionable project-level plans, with a heavy focus on the Net Zero pathway and accurate climate data tracking. Your day-to-day involves facilitating strategy implementation across diverse business units, ensuring that environmental performance is not just monitored but actively improved through rigorous reporting and governance.

Working for a major player in the construction industry means your work directly impacts the carbon footprint of Australia’s most iconic rail, road, and water projects. This is a unique opportunity to embed circular economy principles and decarbonization efforts into the very fabric of national infrastructure. By navigating complex legislative frameworks like AASB S2, you ensure that the company’s growth remains aligned with the highest standards of environmental integrity and public trust.

This suits someone who possesses a strong technical background in environmental science or sustainability and thrives on managing complex stakeholder relationships. You should be equally comfortable diving into data flows as you are influencing tender strategies for billion-dollar infrastructure bids.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The successful candidate will take charge of operationalizing the ESG strategy across the company's expansive project portfolio. This involves facilitating the development of specific sustainability strategies for various business units and ensuring that the Net Zero roadmap is integrated into every stage of the project lifecycle. In addition to strategy delivery, the role focuses heavily on governance and reporting. You will be responsible for identifying and monitoring sustainability data flows to support annual reports and ensure compliance with emerging standards like AASB S2 and NGER legislation. You will also play a key role in the pre-construction phase by incorporating sustainability priorities into tenders and project bids.

Key learning opportunities for this job

Working at the heart of one of Australia's largest infrastructure firms offers unparalleled exposure to large-scale decarbonization in the hard-to-abate construction sector. You will gain hands-on experience applying the latest climate reporting standards, specifically AASB S2, which is becoming the benchmark for corporate transparency. Furthermore, you will likely develop specialized knowledge in green procurement and tender strategy, learning how to quantify and sell the value of sustainability in a competitive commercial environment. Exposure to diverse projects—from rail networks to pumped hydro—provides a broad technical toolkit across various environmental domains.

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

The ideal candidate holds a degree in Sustainability, Science, or Environment and brings extensive experience in the construction sector. A deep understanding of the industry's specific environmental challenges and operational workflows is essential for success in this role. Technical proficiency in NGER and AASB S2 is highly valued, alongside the ability to manage complex data systems. Beyond technical skills, the company looks for influencing capabilities—someone who can navigate a multi-stakeholder environment and advocate for sustainable outcomes even when faced with competing project priorities.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, your application should demonstrate a clear track record of bridging the gap between corporate policy and site reality. Highlight specific instances where you have successfully implemented sustainability initiatives on complex infrastructure or building projects, focusing on the measurable outcomes achieved. In your cover letter, show an analytical understanding of how evolving Australian climate legislation impacts the construction industry. Aligning your personal values with their 'people-first' philosophy while demonstrating a high level of commercial acumen in relation to tender processes will make your profile particularly compelling.

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

This role is primarily centered on climate action and corporate accountability. A significant portion of your energy will be dedicated to the Net Zero transition, ensuring that the company's carbon reduction targets are met through tangible operational changes rather than just high-level commitments. There is also a strong focus on transparency and compliance. As reporting requirements become more stringent, this role ensures the integrity of the data being shared with stakeholders, covering everything from energy consumption to waste management and broader ESG metrics within the supply chain.

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

One of the primary challenges will be driving consistency across decentralized projects. Each construction site has its own unique constraints, and ensuring every project adheres to the global ESG strategy requires constant negotiation and monitoring. You may also face the challenge of data fragmentation. Collecting accurate, verifiable sustainability data from various business units and subcontractors can be difficult, requiring patience and the development of robust reporting systems to ensure compliance with legislative standards.

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

A typical day might begin with a coordination meeting with the Governance and Reporting team to review data for the annual sustainability report. You could then transition into a strategy session for an upcoming infrastructure tender, advising the team on how to incorporate biodiversity or low-carbon material requirements into the bid. Afternoons might be spent working with Project Managers to troubleshoot the implementation of the Net Zero pathway on-site. The day often concludes with data analysis or reviewing updates to environmental legislation to ensure all current projects remain fully compliant with Australian standards.

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

Given the scale of John Holland, this role offers a clear path toward senior sustainability leadership. As the company continues to win large-scale, 'city-shaping' projects, the internal influence of the sustainability team is likely to grow, providing opportunities to lead larger teams or specialized ESG functions. There are also opportunities for cross-functional development. You could potentially move into strategic operations, environmental management, or corporate governance, leveraging the broad network of stakeholders you interact with across the Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane hubs.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will interact daily with the Group Manager for Environment and Sustainability and the wider Operational Sustainability team. These internal stakeholders will be your primary partners in strategy execution and reporting. Externally, you will engage with project partners, subcontractors, and clients to ensure sustainability targets are met. You will also collaborate with tender teams and business unit leaders, acting as a technical advisor to ensure sustainability is embedded in the company’s commercial growth and project delivery.

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