SAED Manager

Apply Job no: 86DAF About AARNet Australia's Academic and Research Network (AARNet), founded in 1989, has played a pivotal role in shaping Australia's digital landscape as the pioneers of the country's Internet. Our mission extends beyond mere connectivity; we are the architects, builders, and operators of a world-class network infrastructure that fuels critical research and learning. At AARNet, innovation thrives within a vibrant community. The Role: SAED Manager We are seeking an experienced SAED Manager (Site Acquisition, Environment & Design) to join the organisation. This role is critical to unlocking and maintaining the delivery pathway for AARNet's optical fibre network, ensuring all sites and corridors progress efficiently through acquisition, environmental and cultural heritage approvals, and design readiness. You will lead a multidisciplinary SAED team across multiple concurrent projects, ensuring delivery outcomes align with program schedules. The successful candidate will bring strong stakeholder management, negotiation and problem-solving skills, with proven experience managing approval pathways and critical project dependencies. Extensive experience delivering SAED outcomes within linear infrastructure, telecommunications or utility environments, combined with a strong knowledge of Federal, State and local planning frameworks is essential. Your ability to standardize processes, improve delivery efficiency and embed scalable SAED practices will be key to supporting the organisation's growing infrastructure pipeline. Key Responsibilities: Lead the team to deliver project approvals, environmental approvals, Native Title and cultural heritage agreements required for AARNet's telecommunications infrastructure. Drive strategic property acquisition outcomes across multiple projects. Manage approvals under applicable planning, environmental, heritage and telecommunications legislation. Collaborate effectively across internal and external stakeholders to develop and implement relevant strategies to ensure strategic project objectives are achieved. Lead engagement with local, state, and federal authorities, Registered Aboriginal Parties and key landowners for fibre optic cable construction. Manage relationships with regulators and environmental and heritage stakeholders. Present planning and approvals strategies, risks and recommendations. Identify and drive simplification, standardisation and efficiency across planning and approvals processes. Ensure project environmental, cultural heritage and statutory compliance to minimise risk and legal exposure. Provide expert advice on statutory obligations pertaining to the construction of fibre optic cable. Obtainine project permits and permissions, including statutory approvals. Oversee the engagement and management of environment and heritage consultants where required. Resolve issues and negotiating conditions. Skills, Experience & Qualifications: Tertiary qualification in Town Planning, Environmental Management, Engineering, Project Management, Property, Land Access, or a related discipline. Experience in technical report writing, editing and understanding of survey reports. Strong interpersonal, communication and negotiation skills. Detailed knowledge of environmental planning and relevant legislation. Australian Citizenship required. Why Work at AARNet? At AARNet, we're passionate about advancing global education and critical research. Our Australia-wide network, with global reach, supports some of the most demanding network-based applications. If you're looking for a purpose-driven workplace where you can make a difference, consider joining our team. Make an impact: By working with us, you'll directly contribute to critical research in fields like astronomy, physics, earth observation, environment, health, and medicine. Our mission matters, and we're committed to providing equal opportunities for all. Competitive Benefits and Conditions: Superannuation: Enjoy a 17% superannuation contribution. Parental/Adoption Leave: We offer 24 weeks of paid parental leave and superannuation top-up. Secondary Carer Leave: 16 weeks of paid parental leave for secondary caregivers. Wellness Leave: 2 days per month paid Women's wellness leave. Family & Domestic Violence Leave: 20 days of paid leave. Other Supportive Leaves: Paid leave for various life events such as weddings, deaths, trauma, and disasters. Purchased Leave: Options to purchase additional Annual Leave. Flexible Work Options: We support work-life balance. Equal Opportunity Focus: We value diversity and inclusion. Social Responsibility and Ethics: We lead by example. Cutting-Edge Technologies: Access to work with the latest industry technology. Published on 05 Jun 2026, 7:08 AM