Sustainability Engagement Manager

Sydney, Australia

6-month contract with potential for extension
Sustainability or climate reporting and implementation experience required
Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship management

The Company

UNSW is recognised globally as a leader in research, innovation and societal impact. With a bold institutional strategy and a strong commitment to environmental leadership, UNSW is working to embed sustainability across its campuses, operations and value chain.

The Environmental Sustainability team sits within Estate Management and drives the University’s Environmental Sustainability Plan (ESP), partnering with academic, operational and student communities to deliver meaningful, measurable change. With strong executive sponsorship including the Dean of Science and senior leaders championing the “Society & Planet” strategic pillar UNSW offers a rare platform to influence sustainability outcomes at scale.

The Role

The Sustainability Engagement Manager leads student and staff engagement on environmental sustainability topics and delivers initiatives that support UNSW’s Environmental Sustainability Plan.

This role blends behaviour change, waste and resource efficiency, emissions and sustainability reporting, and high‑impact engagement programs. It is ideal for someone who thrives in a complex, intellectually rich environment and enjoys translating strategy into action through collaboration, communication and stakeholder influence.

You will work closely with the Head of Environmental Sustainability and partner across Estate Management, faculties, operational units, and student groups to drive initiatives that reduce emissions, minimise waste, strengthen sustainability culture, and enhance UNSW’s performance in key sustainability rankings.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

Develop and deliver initiatives that advance UNSW’s objectives across climate action, circular economy, waste minimisation, recycling, reuse and resource efficiency.
Lead strategies to reduce single‑use plastics and improve waste systems across campus.
Develop training resources and engagement programs that build sustainability capability among staff and students.
Manage sustainability reporting activities including emissions reporting (NGERS, CRFDs), internal sustainability reporting and contributions to university specific rankings submissions
Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, cultivating a community of practice that supports sustainability outcomes.
Recommend sustainability KPIs for tenders and contracts and support contract managers to monitor performance.
Plan and execute events, campaigns and activities that drive awareness, participation and behaviour change.
Contribute to policy development, strategy updates and the evolution of UNSW’s next Environmental Sustainability Plan.
Ensure health, safety and wellbeing risks are identified and managed appropriately.

About You

You are a self‑driven sustainability professional who combines technical capability, behaviour change insight, and exceptional communication skills. You bring intellectual humility, pragmatism and a collaborative mindset - able to navigate a large, complex organisation with confidence and diplomacy.

You thrive in environments rich with ideas and expertise, and you enjoy engaging with academics, operational teams, students and senior stakeholders. You don’t wait to be told what to do; you take initiative, build momentum and deliver outcomes that matter.

Required Skills and Proficiencies

Tertiary qualifications or equivalent experience in sustainability, environmental management, social sciences, economics or related fields.
Demonstrated experience in sustainability reporting, ideally including NGERS and ASRS exposure (consulting or in‑house).
Strong understanding of behavioural science and experience designing initiatives with a behaviour‑change focus.
Deep knowledge of environmental sustainability issues, particularly waste and resource efficiency.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, able to translate complex information into compelling, actionable messaging.
Experience developing and implementing sustainability policies, strategies and action plans.
Strong stakeholder engagement capability, with the ability to influence, collaborate and build trust across diverse groups.
Proven ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines and priorities.
Experience with waste minimisation, recycling and reuse systems (highly regarded).

The Rewards and Culture

This is an opportunity to work within a globally respected university that demonstrates strong executive commitment to sustainability. The role offers the chance to influence major sustainability initiatives across a large and complex organisation with significant reach and impact, while collaborating with a high-performing and passionate team within Estate Management and a broader network of experts and innovators across the University.

You will play a key role in shaping UNSW’s next Environmental Sustainability Plan and contribute to emerging focus areas such as nature, carbon offset projects, and sustainable travel. The position also offers a flexible hybrid working environment, with approximately three days per week on campus, alongside access to world-class professional development opportunities, research networks, and innovation hubs, including the Institute for Climate Risk & Response (ICRR).

How to Apply

Apply now by submitting your current CV (in Word format) via our online application process.

For a confidential discussion or to review the information pack and full PD please contact Liz Floyd on liz@talentnation.com.au.

To be eligible to apply, you must have unrestricted rights to work in Australia.

Talent Nation encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and people of all cultures, abilities, sex, and genders.

Applicants can request a reasonable adjustment at any stage during the recruitment process—please contact us so we can provide adjustments for you.