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Principal Environmental Advisor (Sustainability)

Synergy (Electricity Generation and Retail Corporation) • Australia • Added on Sep 21, 2026
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As a senior leader within the environmental team, you will bridge the gap between technical compliance and high-level sustainability strategy. You will own the integrity of carbon reporting while simultaneously driving the implementation of climate risk frameworks and transition planning. This is a dual-focus role that requires a firm grip on rigorous data standards alongside the vision to embed circular economy principles and biodiversity stewardship across large-scale energy operations.

Working for Western Australia’s largest energy provider, your impact is directly linked to the state’s energy transition. You aren’t just managing spreadsheets; you are shaping how a major utility evolves away from traditional thermal generation toward a portfolio of renewables and big batteries. By integrating social value with environmental governance, you ensure that the move to net zero is both measurable and meaningful for the local community.

This suits someone who is a technically grounded strategist with deep experience in Australian environmental reporting and the desire to lead transformational sustainability projects in a complex industrial environment.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The primary focus involves overseeing compliance reporting for the National Pollution Inventory (NPI) and National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Scheme (NGERS), ensuring absolute data accuracy. You will lead the development of climate-related disclosures, including scenario analysis and risk assessments, to align the organization with global best practices. Beyond reporting, you will be responsible for driving environmental stewardship across the company's asset portfolio. This includes spearheading programs related to biodiversity, water management, and land use. You will also introduce circular economy frameworks to improve resource efficiency and sustainable procurement across the business.

Key learning opportunities for this job

You will gain deep expertise in the Australian energy transition, specifically how a major utility manages the shift from thermal assets to renewable infrastructure. Exposure to large-scale projects like 'Big Battery' installations and massive wind farm expansions provides a unique learning environment for infrastructure-level sustainability. Additionally, the role offers advanced training in climate risk frameworks and emerging disclosure standards. You will likely refine your skills in data automation and digital transformation as you work to improve the integrity and consistency of sustainability data across a complex organization.

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

The ideal candidate brings a minimum of five years of experience in dedicated environmental or sustainability roles, ideally within the utilities, mining, or heavy industrial sectors. A tertiary degree in environmental science, sustainability, or a related physical science field is essential for this level of seniority. Technical proficiency in NGERS and NPI reporting is a critical requirement. Beyond technical skills, the company looks for a professional with the strategic mindset to integrate social value into environmental governance and the communication skills to influence decision-making at a corporate level.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, demonstrate your specific experience with climate-related financial disclosures and how you have successfully embedded climate considerations into business planning. Mentioning specific experience with Western Australian environmental regulations or the South West Interconnected System (SWIS) will provide an immediate advantage. Highlight your ability to bridge the gap between technical environmental data and corporate strategy. Synergy values 'intelligent energy' solutions, so showing examples where you have used data to drive operational efficiency or resource recovery will resonate strongly with the recruitment team.

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

The role is central to the company's decarbonization journey and its commitment to the WA energy transition. You will focus heavily on greenhouse gas accounting and the strategic roadmap toward a more sustainable energy future for the state. There is also a strong emphasis on circular economy principles and natural resource management. This means you will likely spend time on waste minimization strategies and biodiversity projects that offset the environmental footprint of large-scale energy generation and storage assets.

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

A primary challenge will be managing the complexity of data across a diverse portfolio of thermal and renewable assets. Ensuring consistency in reporting while the company undergoes a significant structural shift in its generation mix requires high attention to detail and strong process management. Additionally, navigating the regulatory environment of a government-owned corporation means balancing commercial goals with public accountability. You may face challenges in aligning various internal stakeholders around new circular economy initiatives that require changes to established procurement or operational habits.

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

A typical day might begin with reviewing emissions data sets to ensure compliance with national schemes, followed by a meeting with project managers to discuss biodiversity outcomes for a new renewable energy site. You might spend the afternoon drafting climate risk assessments for the executive team. Your day will often include cross-functional collaboration, perhaps working with procurement teams to improve sustainable sourcing or meeting with the digital team to discuss the automation of sustainability dashboards. It is a mix of high-level strategic planning and hands-on environmental management.

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

Given the 'Principal' seniority, this role offers a pathway toward executive leadership within the ESG and environmental space. You will have high visibility across the organization, providing opportunities to lead enterprise-wide transformation projects. As the energy sector continues to evolve, this role positions you as a subject matter expert in energy-specific sustainability. This expertise is highly transferable to international energy markets or government advisory roles focused on the global move toward net-zero infrastructure.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will interact frequently with regulatory bodies and government departments, given Synergy's status as a state-owned entity. Internally, your main partners will be the Asset Management, Project Development, and Procurement teams. You will also work closely with the Executive Leadership Team to report on climate risks and sustainability performance. External stakeholders may include community groups, environmental NGOs, and industry partners involved in joint-venture renewable projects.

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