Commercial Development Manager - 12-Month Fixed Term

Sydney Airport; Sydney; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Sydney Airport is seeking a Commercial Development Manager for a 12-month fixed term contract to shape the airport's long‑term commercial future, identifying, validating and progressing high‑value opportunities across the estate.

Reporting to the Commercial Development Lead, you will guide sponsors and senior executives through feasibility, business cases and governance, translating ideas into robust investment concepts.

Qualifications

• A tertiary qualification in Property Economics, Property Development, Urban Planning, Valuation, Commerce, Engineering, Architecture or similar.
• Strong experience in early‑stage development, feasibility and business case development.
• Experience across retail, transport, infrastructure or property environments (favourable).
• Background in environments such as property development, infrastructure owners/operators, major landholders, consulting, REITs or complex mixed‑use precincts.
• Proven experience partnering with finance teams on development economics and option analysis.
• Exposure to large‑scale capital investment decision‑making and senior executive presentations.
• 5+ years’ experience in a comparable development, strategy or commercial role.

Responsibilities

• Identifying and shaping high‑value land and asset opportunities across the airport precinct.
• Testing and validating concepts through upfront feasibility, including market demand, planning pathways, development economics, risk and operational impact.
• Challenging assumptions and exploring alternative land‑use scenarios to determine highest and best use.
• Translating ambiguous ideas into clearly defined, evidence‑based development opportunities.
• Partnering with Finance to build and interrogate commercial and financial models (DCF, IRR, NPV, sensitivities).
• Preparing clear, decision‑ready opportunity briefs and business cases for senior leadership and investment forums.
• Acting as a sponsor delegate, guiding opportunities through governance and stage gates.
• Collaborating across Commercial, Planning & Delivery, Operations, Finance and external advisors to ensure alignment and feasibility.
• Supporting benefits realisation and value optimisation through the project lifecycle.

Skills

Commercially minded

Stakeholder influence

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Education

Property Economics / Property Development / Urban Planning / Valuation / Commerce / Engineering / Architecture

Job description

Sydney Airport is seeking a Commercial Development Manager for a 12-month fixed term contract to shape the airport's long‑term commercial future, identifying, validating and progressing high‑value opportunities across the estate.

Reporting to the Commercial Development Lead, you will guide sponsors and senior executives through feasibility, business cases and governance, translating ideas into robust investment concepts.