Talent Nation managing editor Richard Evans said that he’s never seen the market for sustainability roles so busy and wouldn’t be surprised if there’s a skills shortage in the near future.
He said interest has bounded back since the worst of Covid, and that he’s observed several organisations fill their first-ever sustainability role and many others are looking to boost their capabilities.
Companies are looking for experts in climate risk as well as human rights and modern slavery.
“It’s really encouraging signs.”
At the moment, there’s enough talent to go around but Evans foresees a shortage. Fortunately, sustainability practitioners can be sourced form a wide pool, with skills such as stakeholder engagement and project management really important.
Evans said that sustainability has now hit the mainstream, with companies such as Coles making net zero commitments.
“I think organisations are a lot more comfortable talking about this stuff now.”
Mark Rowland has been snaffled up by Transport for NSW to be its director – integratedNetwork Planning and Programs. He had been with Arup for nearly five years and was previously with VicRoads and Victorian Planning Authority
Also on the move is the talented Adam Jones who’s departing WoodSolutions, as we’ve heard on the grapevine, where he’s hosted a regular podcast for a few years to join Xlam in a senior technical capacity. In good news for his fans, Jones is taking his podcast with him.
This hire is clearly part of Xlam’s determination to scale up its activities to support the rapidly expanding timber industry. Which is also increasingly complex. Jones seems to be well suited to the task with his clear dissemination of information for those of us who are still grappling for clarity in this segment of the building and construction industry, especially as our understanding of the science and organic nature of this material expands.
In WA, Mark Taylor has joined the growing Hesperia development group run by Ben Lisle and Adrian Fini , which is rapidly trying to increase its footprint in the sustainability space.
He was previously with Josh Byrne & Associates , whose namesake is an environmental scientist well known for his Gardening Australia gig on the ABC, for about six years. He’s also worked with NDY.
Lendlease has settled on Justin Gabbani as its new Asia chief executive officer to replace current Asia CEO, Tony Lombardo who is taking over the top job from Steve McCann . Mr Lomardo has had nearly 14 years with Lendlease and previously held executive positions at GE and KPMG.
Mr Gabbani joined the company in 2003 as a graduate and has been chief financial officer, Asia and head of investment and capital markets.
Kuyani-Arrernte woman Erin Woolford has been selected as the SA Housing Authority’s new head of Aboriginal Housing. She will implement the state’s first strategy to address issues around housing for Aboriginal people.
Ms Woolford was formerly at PwC Australia working on The Constellation Project, which aimed to develop a co-designed, fit for purpose, aged care or retirement facility on Country for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
She’s also a former Department of the Premier and Cabinet policy officer.
Former Virgin Australia and Tigerair executive Rob Sharp has been selected as the new head of NSW Transport. Mr Sharp will replace Rodd Staples .
Tessa Nelson has taken on a new role at the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment as clean Technology Innovation, Net Zero Industry and Innovation Program. The aim of the $750 million project is to decarbonise NSW industry.
Also announced recently was the appointment of chief people officer, Deborah Yates , who will be based in Sydney, after a senior roles with KPMG and with Reckitt Benckiser, a FTSE Top 15 company with more than 40,000 employees across 60 countries.
Our pick of the jobs
Re.Group is looking for a senior development executive to lead the company’s responses in Victoria’s new (finally) container deposit scheme to start next year at a salary of around $200,000 through Talent Nation.
Lendlease is looking for a social sustainability manager, based in Victoria. The role will include working on residential greenfield developments at Harpley and Aurora.
The Bayside City Council in Melbourne is hiring a sustainability strategy officer to help meet the goals set out in the Bayside Environmental Sustainability Framework and the council’s Climate Emergency Action Plan.
Join the University of Newcastle as the sustainability manager to work on the organisation’s Environmental Sustainability Plan.
This article was originally featured on The Fifth Estate.
