Airport Planning Leader

Aurecon Group; Australia; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Aurecon is seeking an Airport Planning Leader to drive aviation planning projects from concept to implementation across Australia. You will lead multidisciplinary teams, manage client relationships, and contribute to business development for a growing airport planning portfolio.

You will mentor junior planners, deliver strategic insights, and collaborate with engineers and advisors to provide integrated, high-quality airport planning solutions.

Qualifications

• 8-15 years’ experience in airport planning, with demonstrated leadership delivering planning outcomes for airport clients.
• Experience leading airport planning projects and managing client relationships.
• Experience on major airport expansion projects or greenfield airport developments.
• Strong analytical, strategic and commercial thinking capability.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multidisciplinary project teams and deliver high-quality outcomes.
• Experience contributing to business development, proposal preparation and winning work.
• Deep understanding of airport planning, capacity assessment, infrastructure development and aviation operations.
• Exceptional communication, stakeholder engagement and influencing skills.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor and develop junior team members.
• A Bachelor's degree or higher in Engineering, Planning or a related discipline

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of airport planning projects from concept through to implementation.
• Manage multidisciplinary teams across terminal planning, capacity planning, simulation, airfield planning, strategic master planning, precinct planning and aviation impact assessments.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with airport clients and industry stakeholders.
• Support business development activities, proposals and pursuits to help grow Aurecon’s aviation planning portfolio.
• Provide strategic advice to clients navigating complex airport growth and infrastructure challenges.
• Collaborate with technical specialists across planning, engineering and advisory services to deliver integrated solutions.
• Mentor and develop emerging planners within the team.
• Contribute to the growth and development of Aurecon’s national airport planning capability.

Skills

Airport planning

Leadership

Client relationship management

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic thinking

Business development

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher in Engineering/Planning

Job description

Airport Planning Leader, Aviation

At Aurecon, we are optimistic about the future. We are thinkers, solvers, and collaborators who work with our clients to deliver the infrastructure and assets that strengthen communities and create a sustainable future.

You will be a core member of our Aviation Planning group, taking a leading role in the delivery of aviation and airport strategic planning services across our key capital city airport clients. You will manage aviation planning projects from inception and ideation with clients and support their value through to design, collaborating with technical expertise from across the business to deliver integrated planning outcomes for our airport clients. Beyond delivery, you will be instrumental in growing our pipeline – supporting proposals, developing client relationships and maintaining Aurecon’s trusted partner position for complex airport planning work across our airport clients.

In this role, you will:

• Lead the delivery of airport planning projects from concept through to implementation
• Manage multidisciplinary teams across terminal planning, capacity planning, simulation, airfield planning, strategic master planning, precinct planning and aviation impact assessments
• Build and maintain strong relationships with airport clients and industry stakeholders
• Support business development activities, proposals and pursuits to help grow Aurecon’s aviation planning portfolio
• Provide strategic advice to clients navigating complex airport growth and infrastructure challenges
• Collaborate with technical specialists across planning, engineering and advisory services to deliver integrated solutions
• Mentor and develop emerging planners within the team
• Contribute to the growth and development of Aurecon’s national airport planning capability

What You’ll Bring

We know the work we do is key to solving some of our clients’ most complex challenges. It’s the expertise, relationships and leadership capability of our people that makes the difference. Here are the key things you’ll need to bring ideas to life.

• 8-15 years’ experience in airport planning, with demonstrated leadership delivering planning outcomes for airport clients
• Experience leading airport planning projects and managing client relationships
• Experience on major airport expansion projects or greenfield airport developments
• Strong analytical, strategic and commercial thinking capability
• Demonstrated ability to manage multidisciplinary project teams and deliver high-quality outcomes
• Experience contributing to business development, proposal preparation and winning work
• Deep understanding of airport planning, capacity assessment, infrastructure development and aviation operations
• Exceptional communication, stakeholder engagement and influencing skills
• Demonstrated ability to mentor and develop junior team members
• A Bachelor's degree or higher in Engineering, Planning or a related discipline

How we support your growth

We believe your career should be a rewarding and progressive journey. As an Airport Planning Leader, you’ll have the opportunity to lead nationally significant aviation planning projects, build trusted client relationships and play a key role in shaping the future growth of Aurecon’s airport planning capability across Australia.

Recognised by the AFR as a Best Place to Work in 2026, we embrace diverse perspectives and flexible ways of working. You’ll be supported by a collaborative team that values innovation, knowledge sharing and continuous development, with genuine opportunities to expand your influence, strengthen client relationships and grow your career within a nationally recognised Aviation business.

Who we are

We’re an engineering consultancy with more than 6,000 people across Australia, New Zealand and Asia. We believe the world needs people who can engineer possibilities; people who can create infrastructure that makes life better for people and the planet. That is why we are here – to bring ideas to life, the Aurecon way.

Ready for your next adventure?

We value diverse experiences and welcome applications for part‑time or flexible working arrangements.

For recruitment adjustments, contact [e-mail].

Our hiring decisions are made by people, not AI. We’re most interested in your individual thinking and experiences, so please ensure your application reflects your authentic perspective.

Our purpose is bringing ideas to life. Learn more about us on our website.