Q: Key learning opportunities for this job

This position offers unparalleled exposure to large-scale infrastructure certifications . You will likely become an expert in the Infrastructure Sustainability (IS) and Green Star rating systems as applied to aviation and commercial real estate. Navigating these complex frameworks on a $5 billion program provides a level of experience that is highly sought after in the infrastructure sector. Additionally, you will gain deep insights into corporate-level ESG governance within a regulated utility environment. Working alongside the Corporate Management Office, you will learn how to translate sustainability metrics into financial and project-risk language, expanding your influence beyond traditional environmental management.

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

The focus of this role is heavily weighted toward embedded carbon and site-specific environmental performance . With a massive construction pipeline, the role will naturally prioritize sustainable procurement of materials, waste reduction on-site, and the long-term energy efficiency of new terminal buildings and hotels. Furthermore, there is a strong governance element. You will be ensuring that the airport's long-term lease requirements and federal environmental obligations are integrated into the $5 billion investment program. This ensures that the airport's growth remains compatible with its broader commitment to environmental and social responsibility.

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

One of the chief hurdles will be the complexity of stakeholder interests across a decade-long program. Balancing the immediate pressure of project budgets and timelines with the long-term requirements of sustainability certifications can lead to friction. You will need to be resilient and persuasive when advocating for sustainability stage gates. Data management at this scale is also a challenge. Coordinating sustainability reporting across multiple contractors and consultants requires a high level of organization. Ensuring that data is accurate, timely, and actually useful for executive-level decision-making will be a constant task as projects move from design into heavy construction.

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

Your morning might start with a review of tender documents for a new car park or terminal expansion to ensure sustainability KPIs are clearly defined for bidders. You might then move to a meeting with the Program Management Office to discuss how to streamline the data collection process for an upcoming Green Star submission. In the afternoon, you could find yourself analyzing a contractor's Sustainability Management Plan or preparing a briefing paper for senior leadership on the risk profile of the capital works program. Your days will alternate between desk-based technical review and collaborative meetings meant to troubleshoot sustainability implementation on the ground.

Q: The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

Primary interactions will be with the Program Management and Delivery Management Offices , who are on the front lines of the infrastructure expansion. You will also work closely with the Property team and external design consultants to ensure sustainability is embedded from the first draft of any building plan. External stakeholders include certification bodies like the Infrastructure Sustainability Council (ISC) and the Green Building Council of Australia. You will also deal with various contractors and service providers, ensuring they understand and comply with the sustainability standards set out in their engagement terms.

Question 1

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

Accepted Answer

The primary mission of the Sustainability Advisor is to act as a internal consultant for a multi-billion dollar expansion program. You will be responsible for developing governance frameworks and technical tools that allow various project teams to embed sustainability into their workflows. This includes reviewing planning assessments, drafting sustainability requirements for tender documents, and providing oversight for major construction contracts. Beyond just setting the rules, you will be the gatekeeper for certification audits. You will monitor portfolio-level risks and ensure that individual projects—ranging from new terminals to runways—are on track to meet their ESG targets. Monitoring implementation trends and creating reporting dashboards for executive visibility are also central to the role.

Question 2

Key learning opportunities for this job

Accepted Answer

This position offers unparalleled exposure to large-scale infrastructure certifications. You will likely become an expert in the Infrastructure Sustainability (IS) and Green Star rating systems as applied to aviation and commercial real estate. Navigating these complex frameworks on a $5 billion program provides a level of experience that is highly sought after in the infrastructure sector. Additionally, you will gain deep insights into corporate-level ESG governance within a regulated utility environment. Working alongside the Corporate Management Office, you will learn how to translate sustainability metrics into financial and project-risk language, expanding your influence beyond traditional environmental management.

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

The ideal candidate brings a practical mix of technical environmental knowledge and project management acumen. You should have a relevant degree in a field like Sustainability or Engineering, coupled with a strong foundation in rating tools such as IS, Green Star, or WELL. This isn't just about knowing the theory; it's about knowing how to apply it to a construction schedule. Soft skills are equally important, as you must influence teams that may be more focused on deadlines than decarbonization. A candidate who is data-oriented and comfortable with reporting systems will thrive here, especially one who can maintain a solutions-focused attitude when navigating the inevitable ambiguity of a long-term infrastructure program.

Question 4

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

Accepted Answer

To stand out, move beyond general sustainability passion and demonstrate your familiarity with the specific mechanics of infrastructure project delivery. If you have previously navigated a certification process or managed a sustainability risk register for a major development, highlight the specific tools and governance models you used. Detail how you bridged the gap between 'green' goals and construction reality. Show an understanding of the West Australian context and the unique challenges of airport operations. Researching Perth Airport’s existing ESG performance and mentioning how you would help scale their current processes to meet the demands of the new terminal and runway projects will show a high level of preparedness and strategic thinking.

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

The focus of this role is heavily weighted toward embedded carbon and site-specific environmental performance. With a massive construction pipeline, the role will naturally prioritize sustainable procurement of materials, waste reduction on-site, and the long-term energy efficiency of new terminal buildings and hotels. Furthermore, there is a strong governance element. You will be ensuring that the airport's long-term lease requirements and federal environmental obligations are integrated into the $5 billion investment program. This ensures that the airport's growth remains compatible with its broader commitment to environmental and social responsibility.

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

One of the chief hurdles will be the complexity of stakeholder interests across a decade-long program. Balancing the immediate pressure of project budgets and timelines with the long-term requirements of sustainability certifications can lead to friction. You will need to be resilient and persuasive when advocating for sustainability stage gates. Data management at this scale is also a challenge. Coordinating sustainability reporting across multiple contractors and consultants requires a high level of organization. Ensuring that data is accurate, timely, and actually useful for executive-level decision-making will be a constant task as projects move from design into heavy construction.

Question 7

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

Accepted Answer

Your morning might start with a review of tender documents for a new car park or terminal expansion to ensure sustainability KPIs are clearly defined for bidders. You might then move to a meeting with the Program Management Office to discuss how to streamline the data collection process for an upcoming Green Star submission. In the afternoon, you could find yourself analyzing a contractor's Sustainability Management Plan or preparing a briefing paper for senior leadership on the risk profile of the capital works program. Your days will alternate between desk-based technical review and collaborative meetings meant to troubleshoot sustainability implementation on the ground.

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

Given the scale of the infrastructure program running until 2031, there is significant potential for vertical growth within the sustainability team. Successfully delivering the ESG frameworks for a project of this magnitude will establish you as a leader in sustainable infrastructure in Australia. There are also lateral growth opportunities into corporate strategy or project management. By working so closely with the Corporate Management Office, you will gain a holistic view of airport operations that could allow you to transition into broader leadership roles within the aviation or property sectors.

Question 9

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

Accepted Answer

Primary interactions will be with the Program Management and Delivery Management Offices, who are on the front lines of the infrastructure expansion. You will also work closely with the Property team and external design consultants to ensure sustainability is embedded from the first draft of any building plan. External stakeholders include certification bodies like the Infrastructure Sustainability Council (ISC) and the Green Building Council of Australia. You will also deal with various contractors and service providers, ensuring they understand and comply with the sustainability standards set out in their engagement terms.

Sustainability Advisor

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