Principal Climate & Sustainability Advisor

• Salary: $113,974.00 - $126,589.00
• Job Type: Permanent - Full Time
• Location: Stonnington Depot, 293 Tooronga Road, Malvern + Working from home

The Principal Climate & Sustainability Advisor provides high-level environment and sustainability expertise and leadership both within the Climate and Sustainability team and across other departments at the City of Stonnington.

A qualified and experienced environmental scientist (or similar), reporting to the Coordinator Climate & Sustainability, the position will draw on multidisciplinary knowledge across areas such as climate adaptation and resilience, emissions reduction, integrated water management, biodiversity and greening, circular economy, behaviour change and community engagement to shape and deliver the strategic direction of Council’s climate and sustainability work.

As a senior representative of Council, the Principal Climate & Sustainability Advisor will lead and assist in management and delivery of complex projects, engage effectively with a variety of internal and external stakeholders, mentor and guide junior staff and contribute to shaping and delivering strategic initiatives.

The role fosters a culture of excellence and continuous improvement through collaboration, adaptability, innovation, and professional integrity, while taking accountability for decisions that protect the health of Stonnington’s natural environment, and strengthen community resilience and sustainability outcomes.

Key Responsibilities:

• Utilise multi-disciplinary environmental knowledge and expertise to develop, guide and implement high quality and effective projects and programs for the Climate and Sustainability team aligned with Council’s strategic direction. 
• Maintain up-to-date industry knowledge by monitoring legislative updates, policy reforms, and emerging trends and innovations. Contribute to the continuous improvement of Council’s environmental frameworks and strategies to meet evolving challenges and community needs.
• Provide technical advice and guidance (including development of appropriate resources) to wider Council teams, ensuring climate and sustainability objectives are appropriately considered and integrated within Council’s capital program and service delivery.
• Utilise strong skills and experience in project and program development, implementation, and management including contract, risk, budget, resources and stakeholder management (including consultants/contractors), to ensure projects are delivered on-time and on-budget with completion of appropriate documentation and reporting.
• Ensure adherence to defined project objectives and budgets while maintaining regular communication and transparent reporting to senior management and relevant stakeholders on project and budget delivery.
• Provide mentoring and support to Climate and Sustainability team members to build technical capabilities and confidence in managing complex projects.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of Council's strategic environmental and sustainability advocacy to a range of government and non-governmental entities.
• Work in partnership with leadership, internal stakeholders, the community and other local, State or Federal departments and agencies to promote and deliver environment and sustainability strategies, projects, education programs and activities.

Join us in this full-time permanent role, offering a competitive salary range of $113,974 - $126,589 plus 12% superannuation and a monthly accrued day off.

What you’ll need to succeed:

• Demonstrated expertise across multiple environmental and sustainability domains (e.g. climate adaptation and resilience, emissions reduction and energy, integrated water management, greening and biodiversity, circular economy, etc.), with the ability to integrate knowledge of these into practical outcomes.
• Strong understanding of government policy frameworks (Federal, State and Local), funding mechanisms, and regulatory context relevant to climate and sustainability and the responsibilities of local government.
• Excellent written and verbal skills required to communicate effectively with a range of key internal and external stakeholders including community, executive and Councillors.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills including an ability to establish and maintain effective relationships, gain cooperation of stakeholders to achieve positive outcomes for Council and the community.
• Ability to influence without authority, build alignment across multiple stakeholder groups with diverse objectives, and drive behavioural and organisational change.
• Demonstrated ability to address complex policy, strategic, practical, and intellectual challenges, utilising advanced problem-solving skills to identify and evaluate a broad range of options to inform evidence-based recommendations in timely, accountable and transparent manner
• Proficient in using software tools such as Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Experience with corporate accounting software, GIS systems, environmental data monitoring platforms, and the capability to learn new software with a strong ability to apply these skills in a practical work setting, mentoring others where required.

Enquiries

For enquiries relating to the role, please contact Mathew Dixon, Climate Action Lead on madixon@stonnington.vic.gov.au using the subject line: Principal Climate & Sustainability Advisor enquiry via EthicalJobs.

For enquiries relating to the system and the application process, please contact a member of the Talent Acquisition team on 8290 1333. 

Submitting your application

To submit your application, please click ‘Apply Now’ by the closing date.

In your cover letter, we invite you to demonstrate how your skills and experience align with the requirements outlined in the Position Description, and to share what draws you to the opportunity to work with the City of Stonnington 

The City of Stonnington is a child-safe, equal opportunity employer valuing diversity and inclusion. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds.

Here at the City of Stonnington we aspire to be a leading local government authority and to do this we need the very best people who share our belief in community and who want to make a difference. We value everyone's contributions, lived experience and expertise. We provide an inclusive and respectful workplace culture where everyone is supported to thrive and be authentic. There is a variety of offerings available for our people, have a look at “Why Stonnington”.

If you have any support or access requirements, or would like to speak to someone about employment please contact Council’s Talent Acquisition team on 8290 1333.

A position description is attached.