Head of Approvals

Join us, a rapidly growing and expert team leading the development and construction of offshore wind projects around the world. At Copenhagen Offshore Partners (COP), we operate in a fast-paced and exciting environment, working smart, collaboratively, and empowering our people with the skills, experience, and trust, to make a difference - on the job and for our renewable energy future.

We are a dynamic, high growth company with a highly motivated, diverse, and skilled workforce driven by making a positive impact for the planet. It is such an exciting time to come onboard, with many opportunities to help create and implement new initiatives from a ‘green fields’ space.

We are looking for a Head of Approvals with relevant experience within major project planning and environmental impact assessments. Join our local team in Melbourne and become part of our global team of industry professionals at Copenhagen Offshore Partners.

The Head of Approvals is a key team leadership role, providing high quality expertise, advice, and coordination of strategy for Australia’s most advanced offshore wind project - Star of the South.

The role will manage and coordinate the project’s approvals team and/or specialists as required, working to support legislative, policy, governance and compliance requirements.

As well as leading approvals on Star of the South, there is an opportunity to work across a broader pipeline of offshore wind projects within Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners’ portfolio.

The role is based in Melbourne and reports to the Chief Development Officer in Melbourne, Australia.

**You will support initiatives including**:

- Develop and implement project planning and approvals strategies, advise on strategic planning processes, setting clear direction and objectives for achieving approvals under relevant legislative processes.
- Lead and coordinate a high performing Approvals Team encompassing impact assessment for offshore, onshore and Ports & Harbours matters.
- Provide advice to the Star of the South Executive and Board in all aspects of delivery of the project’s Approvals Strategy including impact assessments.
- Build and maintain relationships with regulators, external stakeholders, government agencies and other relevant bodies to work through project impacts and proposed mitigations, taking a collaborative approach towards project development.
- Participate in community and stakeholder engagement activities, especially when related to impact assessment processes or topics.
- Deliver project management, budget and related reporting activities accurately, efficiently and in a timely manner in accordance with project requirements.
- Ensure the project is compliant with its permitting responsibilities and obligations, working with colleagues to ensure appropriate controls, policies and processes
- Undertake continuing relevant professional development to assist with the understanding of best practice in relation to environmental and planning impact assessment and the global offshore wind industry
- Work with a global team of offshore wind approvals / consenting specialists to stay across industry trends, innovations and project mitigations.

**To succeed in this role, you must have**:

- Demonstrated experience in major infrastructure project planning and delivery (or comparable field) and/or awareness of legislative instruments and policies relevant to the renewables sector. Offshore wind experience is considered advantageous.
- A relevant tertiary degree and/or post graduate qualification in a relevant field.
- Demonstrated experience working in a leadership role with experience in development phase approvals in a complex and sensitive environment.
- A solid understanding of environmental sensitivities related to offshore, onshore, grid and port infrastructure.
- Proven capacity to manage complex change and projects in a consultative manner.
- Strong project management capabilities, including managing budgets and contracts.
- Highly developed relationship building and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to be perceptive and quick to understand conceptually demanding problems, reason through issues and demonstrate the ability to introduce innovative, collaborative and improved ways of achieving outcomes.
- High-level communication and interpersonal skills combined with demonstrated ability to provide strategic advice, resolve complex issues and work with different cultures.
- Perseverance and an ability to work in a fast paced and evolving project environment.

**About COP**

COP is a world leader in development and construction of offshore wind projects and works exclusively for one of the leading green infrastructure fund managers in the world, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP). COP is developing projects in Europe, Asia, North America, and Australia, and is supported by offices in the United Kingdom, Denmark, France, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, the United States, Australia, New Zeal