Talent Pool - Regulatory & Permitting Coordinator (PMC – Site Based)

At Turner & Townsend we’re passionate about making the difference. That means delivering better outcomes for our clients, helping our people to realize their potential, and doing our part to create a prosperous society. 

Every day we help our major global clients deliver ambitious and highly technical projects, in over 110 offices worldwide. As part of our 2025 Vision we are putting Sustainability and Net Zero at the heart of our business. 

https://www.turnerandtownsend.com/en/about-us/our-purpose-and-values/ 

Our team is dynamic, innovative and client-focused, supported by an inclusive and fun company culture. Our clients value our proactive approach, depth of expertise, integrity and the quality we deliver. As a result, our people get to enjoy working on some of the most exciting projects in the world. 

Role Summary

The Regulatory & Permitting Coordinator is the PMC's lead authority on regulatory compliance, permitting, and government interface management for the expansion of an operating RKEF nickel smelter in Sulawesi. The role ensures that all approvals, licenses, environmental obligations, workforce authorizations, import permits, and operational certifications are secured and maintained in support of project execution. Acting as the critical bridge between the project and Indonesian authorities, the position plays a key role in safeguarding schedule, compliance, and operational readiness throughout the project lifecycle.

Role Purpose

The Regulatory & Permitting Coordinator is the PMC focal point for monitoring, coordinating, tracking, and facilitating all regulatory approvals, permits, licenses, and government interfaces associated with the expansion of an operating nickel smelter through the addition of a second Rotary Kiln Electric Furnace (RKEF) production train in Sulawesi, Indonesia.

Operating independently from both the Owner and EPC Contractor, the role provides regulatory oversight and coordination to ensure all project activities are executed in compliance with applicable Indonesian laws, regulations, permit obligations, environmental approvals, and local government requirements.

The position acts as the primary interface between the project delivery team and external regulatory stakeholders to support timely approvals, minimize permitting risks, and ensure construction, commissioning, and operational readiness milestones are not impacted by regulatory delays.

Particular emphasis is placed on coordinating approvals associated with a brownfield expansion within an operating industrial facility, where environmental, construction, power, port, manpower, and operational permits must be carefully integrated into the project execution schedule.

Key Accountabilities

The Regulatory & Permitting Coordinator is accountable for:

• Monitoring permit and approval status throughout project execution.
• Developing and maintaining a comprehensive permit register.
• Coordinating regulatory submissions and approvals.
• Ensuring compliance with permit conditions and regulatory obligations.
• Supporting government inspections and audits.
• Identifying permitting risks and developing mitigation plans.
• Coordinating project interfaces with national, provincial, and local authorities.
• Supporting operational readiness and commissioning approvals.
• Maintaining regulatory reporting and documentation.
• Protecting project schedule from regulatory and permitting delays.

Principal Responsibilities

1. Regulatory and Permitting Management

• Develop and maintain the Project Regulatory and Permitting Plan.
• Establish and maintain a comprehensive Permit and Approval Register.
• Identify all permits, licenses, approvals, certifications, and notifications required for project execution.
• Track approval status and critical dates.
• Coordinate regulatory activities between the Owner, EPC Contractor, consultants, and government agencies.
• Monitor compliance with regulatory commitments and permit conditions.
• Ensure permitting requirements are integrated into project schedules and execution plans.

2. Government and Authority Coordination

Act as the PMC interface for regulatory matters involving governmental authorities.

Typical stakeholders may include:

• National Authorities

• Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM)
• Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK)
• Ministry of Industry
• Ministry of Manpower
• Ministry of Transportation
• Investment Coordinating Authorities
• Customs and Trade Authorities

• Provincial and Regional Authorities

• Government of Central Sulawesi, Southeast Sulawesi, or South Sulawesi (as applicable)
• Provincial Environmental Agencies
• Provincial Labor Authorities
• Port Authorities
• Regional Planning Agencies

• Local Authorities

• Kabupaten (Regency) Administrations
• Local Environmental Offices
• Fire and Emergency Services
• Public Infrastructure Authorities
• Community Development Authorities

Responsibilities include:

• Coordinating meetings and reviews.
• Supporting authority inspections.
• Facilitating information requests.
• Tracking approvals and commitments.
• Maintaining positive stakeholder relationships.

3. Environmental Permitting and Compliance

Support management of environmental approvals associated with the facility expansion.

Responsibilities include:

• Monitor compliance with environmental approvals.
• Coordinate submissions associated with environmental permitting requirements.
• Track environmental commitments and obligations.
• Support environmental audits and government inspections.
• Coordinate environmental reporting requirements.
• Ensure changes to project scope are assessed for permitting implications.

Typical areas include:

• Environmental Impact Assessments (AMDAL or equivalent requirements)
• Environmental management plans
• Air emissions approvals
• Waste management approvals
• Water extraction permits
• Water discharge permits
• Hazardous materials management requirements
• Biodiversity and land-use obligations

4. Construction and Site Execution Permits

Coordinate approvals required to support project construction activities.

Responsibilities include:

• Track construction-related permits and approvals.
• Coordinate permits required for temporary facilities.
• Support approvals associated with site infrastructure development.
• Monitor permit validity periods and renewal requirements.
• Ensure permit conditions are communicated to construction teams.

Potential permit categories include:

• Construction permits
• Temporary facility permits
• Camp and accommodation approvals
• Utility connection permits
• Road usage permits
• Heavy transportation permits
• Explosives permits (if required)
• Port and marine permits

5. Operational Readiness and Commissioning Approvals

Support regulatory readiness for transition from construction to operations.

Responsibilities include:

• Identify approvals required prior to energization and commissioning.
• Coordinate commissioning-related notifications.
• Track operational licensing requirements.
• Support readiness reviews with regulatory stakeholders.
• Facilitate inspections prior to operation of new facilities.

Particular emphasis shall be placed on:

• High-voltage power systems
• Electrical substations
• Furnaces and transformers
• Process utilities
• Water systems
• Fire protection systems
• Environmental monitoring systems

6. Land, Infrastructure and Community Interfaces

Support coordination of regulatory issues associated with:

• Site expansion areas.
• Access roads.
• Infrastructure corridors.
• Port facilities.
• Utility corridors.
• Temporary laydown areas.
• Construction camps.

Responsibilities include:

• Tracking land-use approvals.
• Monitoring commitments to local authorities.
• Supporting stakeholder engagement activities.
• Ensuring regulatory commitments are fulfilled.

7. Workforce and Immigration Regulatory Support

Coordinate compliance requirements associated with workforce mobilization.

Particular attention shall be be given to expatriate personnel from China and other international locations.

Responsibilities include:

• Monitor labor permit requirements.
• Coordinate approvals for expatriate personnel.
• Support workforce reporting obligations.
• Track compliance with manpower regulations.
• Support liaison with labor authorities.
• Monitor contractor workforce compliance.

Areas of focus include:

• Work permits
• Visa requirements
• Foreign worker approvals
• Workforce reporting
• Training obligations
• Local hiring commitments

8. Supply Chain and Import Regulatory Interface

Support the Supply Chain Manager on regulatory matters associated with imported equipment and materials.

Responsibilities include:

• Monitor import permit requirements.
• Coordinate approvals for oversized cargo.
• Support customs-related documentation.
• Assist with regulatory approvals for imported equipment.
• Facilitate authority reviews where required.

Particular focus areas include:

• Rotary kiln components
• Furnace transformers
• Electrical equipment
• Pressure-retaining equipment
• Hazardous material imports
• Construction equipment imported from China

9. Compliance Monitoring and Auditing

• Conduct periodic compliance reviews.
• Maintain compliance tracking systems.
• Verify compliance with permit conditions.
• Monitor closure of regulatory actions.
• Coordinate responses to authority findings.
• Support internal and external audits.

Ensure all project departments understand and comply with permit obligations.

10. Regulatory Risk Management

Develop and maintain a Regulatory Risk Register.

Typical risks include:

• Approval Risks

• Delayed permit approvals.
• Changes in regulatory requirements.
• Authority review delays.

• Construction Risks

• Permit expiry.
• Non-compliance with permit conditions.
• Delayed inspections.

• Operational Risks

• Delayed operating approvals.
• Environmental non-compliance.
• Workforce authorization issues.

• External Risks

• Community concerns.
• Local government constraints.
• Environmental objections.
• Infrastructure access constraints.

Develop mitigation plans and provide early warning to the Project Leadership Team.

Brownfield and RKEF-Specific Focus Areas

The Regulatory & Permitting Coordinator should have a strong understanding of the permitting requirements associated with:

• Metallurgical Processing Facilities

• Rotary kiln installations.
• Electric furnaces.
• Furnace transformers.
• Ore drying facilities.
• Coal handling systems.
• Slag storage and handling facilities.
• Ferronickel or NPI production facilities.

• Utilities and Infrastructure

• High-voltage substations.
• Power distribution systems.
• Water treatment facilities.
• Cooling water systems.
• Port facilities.
• Fuel storage and handling systems.

• Brownfield Expansion Projects
• Plant modifications.
• Utility tie-ins.
• Shutdown-related approvals.
• SIMOPS implications.
• Operational continuity requirements.

Experience

• Minimum 10–15 years of experience in permitting, regulatory affairs, environmental compliance, government relations, or project approvals.
• Experience supporting major industrial, mining, metals, power, infrastructure, or energy projects.
• Experience in Indonesia is essential.
• Sulawesi project experience highly desirable.
• Experience with permitting of nickel processing or mining projects preferred.
• Brownfield industrial project experience strongly preferred.
• Experience working with multiple government agencies and local authorities.
• PMC, Owner's Engineer, or major EPC experience desirable.

Technical Competencies

• Regulatory

• Indonesian permitting processes.
• Environmental approvals.
• Industrial operating permits.
• Government liaison.
• Compliance management.

• Project Delivery

• Brownfield project execution.
• Construction permitting.
• Commissioning approvals.
• Risk management.
• Stakeholder engagement.

• Systems

• Permit tracking systems.
• Regulatory databases.
• Document management systems.
• Microsoft Office Suite.
• Reporting and dashboard tools.

• Leadership Competencies

• Relationship building.
• Cultural awareness.
• Negotiation and influencing.
• Communication skills.
• Problem solving.
• Attention to detail.
• Planning and organization.
• Professional integrity.

• Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
• Permitting

• All permits obtained before required project milestones.
• Zero regulatory-driven construction delays.
• Timely permit renewals.

• Compliance

• No significant permit violations.
• Successful regulatory inspections.
• Closure of authority actions within agreed timelines.

• Schedule Support

• No delays to shutdowns, tie-ins, commissioning, or start-up linked to permitting.
• Accurate forecasting of approval timelines.

• Stakeholder Management

• Effective engagement with authorities.
• Positive working relationships with government stakeholders.
• Timely response to regulatory requests.

• Reporting

• Accurate permit register maintained.
• Monthly compliance reports issued on time.
• Regulatory risks actively managed.

Our inspired people share our vision and mission. We provide a great place to work, where each person has the opportunity and voice to affect change.

We want our people to succeed both in work and life. To support this we promote a healthy, productive and flexible working environment that respects work-life balance. 

Turner & Townsend is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and actively encourage applications from all sectors of the community.

Please find out more about us at www.turnerandtownsend.com/

#LI-DA3

Join our social media conversations for more information about Turner & Townsend and our exciting future projects: 

Twitter

Instagram

LinkedIn

It is strictly against Turner & Townsend policy for candidates to pay any fee in relation to our recruitment process. No recruitment agency working with Turner & Townsend will ask candidates to pay a fee at any time. 

Any unsolicited resumes/CVs submitted through our website or to Turner & Townsend personal e-mail accounts, are considered property of Turner & Townsend and are not subject to payment of agency fees. In order to be an authorised Recruitment Agency/Search Firm for Turner & Townsend, there must be a formal written agreement in place and the agency must be invited, by the Recruitment Team, to submit candidates for review.