Manager Asset Environment, Approvals & Sustainability, Copper SA - Adelaide
Australia
About Copper SA Operations at BHP
BHP is a global resources company operating across more than 90 locations worldwide, with a purpose to bring people and resources together to build a better world. Through Copper South Australia (Copper SA), we are building a leading copper portfolio that supports the global energy transition, supplying materials essential for renewable energy, electric vehicles and digital infrastructure. For you, this is an exciting opportunity to grow your career, make a meaningful impact, and help shape the future of one of Australia's leading copper businesses.
We currently have a vacancy for a Manager Environment, Approvals & Sustainability, Copper SA, reporting to the General Manager Planning, Technical & Environment.
About the Role
This is an influential leadership opportunity at an important stage of growth for Copper SA. You will provide leadership and direction across environmental management, sustainability, and environmental approvals, helping Copper SA navigate complex regulatory and stakeholder requirements while maintaining its licence to operate.
Leading a multidisciplinary team of professionals supporting our operations, you will help build capability, lead change and influence decisions at both operational and senior management levels.
Your remit will encompass areas that matter to our business, government and communities, including operational compliance, sustainability, water, biodiversity, emissions and environmental approvals. You will monitor the evolving State and Federal regulatory landscape, anticipate emerging trends and help the business respond effectively to changing policy and regulatory requirements.
Building trusted relationships will be central to your success. You will work closely with government agencies, regulators, communities and internal stakeholders to navigate complex issues, balance competing priorities and enable sustainable growth.
In this role, you will:
- Lead and develop a multidisciplinary team responsible for environmental management, sustainability, approvals and associated activities across Copper SA.
- Lead the execution of approvals for existing and future operations across relevant South Australian and Federal jurisdictions.
- Maintain effective engagement with State and Federal environmental regulatory authorities, supporting Copper SA's long-term sustainability and growth ambitions.
- Monitor the external regulatory environment, identifying emerging trends and support the business to adapt to changes to policy, legislation and regulatory expectations.
- Coordinate technical environmental studies to support major approval applications.
- Influence environmental and sustainability decisions and performance at operational and senior management levels while contributing to constructive relationships with government agencies, communities and other stakeholders.
- Contribute to global BHP initiatives across a broad range of domains including water, emissions and decarbonisation, sustainability standards and the Healthy Environment Goal.
About You
You are an experienced people leader who can bring together diverse expertise and create clarity in a complex, evolving environment. You are comfortable influencing senior stakeholders and engaging constructively with government agencies, regulators and community groups.
You will bring:
- A tertiary qualification in Environmental Science, Engineering or an equivalent discipline, together with strong knowledge of operational environmental management, sustainability and approval processes.
- Significant experience in delivering environmental approvals, including negotiation with government on environmental conditions, and an in-depth understanding of applicable State and Federal legislation, approval processes and standards, including ISO 14001.
- Strong leadership experience across multidisciplinary, business-wide teams, with the ability to develop capability, lead change and adapt to evolving business needs.
- Well-established stakeholder management and negotiation capability, including experience engaging senior internal stakeholders, regulators, government agencies and communities on complex matters.
- Significant experience leading and delivering complex environmental impact assessments, with demonstrated expertise in quality assurance and quality control and knowledge of relevant mining, environmental and development approval legislation and procedures.
- Experience working effectively within complex, dynamic multinational organisations and a commitment to safety, wellbeing and speaking up when something does not feel right.
Work Location
This role is based in Adelaide with regular travel required.
Why You’ll Love Working Here
At BHP, you’ll do meaningful work in an environment that supports you to perform at your best; on site and at home. That’s why our benefits are designed to support your health, your growth, and your personal balance:
- Grow your career your way, with opportunities to develop and move across BHP
- Be rewarded with competitive pay, performance bonuses and our BHP employee share plan
- Work in an inclusive team where people support each other every day
- Enjoy flexibility and family-friendly options that help you balance work and life
- Access wellbeing support, including 24/7 confidential assistance for you and your family
- Build your future with benefits like paid parental leave, recognition programs, etc.
And so much more!
How to Apply
Please apply before 12th November 2026
About Our Process
At BHP, we are committed to employing individuals who align with the BHP Charter Values and meet the requirements of the role. As part of the recruitment process, there are several checks which may be conducted to demonstrate applicants’ suitability for a role including police / criminal background checks, medical, drug and alcohol testing, due diligence checks, right to work checks, and/or reference checks.
We Support a Diverse Workforce
At BHP, we believe diversity makes us stronger. We’re committed to creating a safe, inclusive workplace where everyone is treated fairly and can thrive. Our workforce reflects the communities where we operate, and we value all aspects of identity; gender, age, race, disability, sexual orientation, religion, neurodiversity, education, and more.
We ensure that our recruitment process is fair, accessible, and equitable. If you have a disability and need adjustments, please contact us at inclusion@bhp.com.