Development Manager (Contract)

Sydney Airport; Sydney; On-site; AUD 140,000 - 200,000; 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. You’ll identify, validate and progress high‑value development opportunities across our diverse estate, guiding sponsors and senior stakeholders through evidence‑based investment decisions.

You will lead feasibility analyses, market demand assessments and financial modelling in partnership with Finance, translating ideas into robust, decision‑ready

Qualifications

• 5+ years in a development, strategy or commercial role.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Identify and shape high‑value land and asset opportunities across the airport precinct.
• Test and validate concepts through upfront feasibility, market demand and development economics.
• Translate ambiguous ideas into clearly defined, evidence‑based development opportunities.
• Partner with Finance to build and interrogate commercial and financial models (DCF, IRR, NPV, sensitivities).
• Prepare clear, decision‑ready opportunity briefs and business cases for senior leadership and investment forums.
• Guide opportunities through governance and stage gates with sponsor support.
• Collaborate across Commercial, Planning & Delivery, Operations and external advisors to ensure feasibility.

Skills

Commercial development

Feasibility analysis

Stakeholder management

Development economics

Financial modelling

Education

Tertiary qualification in Property Economics/Development/Urban Planning or related field

Job description

MAKE IT DIFFERENT

At Sydney Airport, the future of air travel is shaped by you.

As a team, we connect the world. More than just a hub of activity and boundless energy, we’re creating a destination of amazing experiences. Like seeing wonderful moments unfold in front of you, knowing “I made that possible!”.

Dynamic. Fast-paced. We thrive in a place where fresh challenges land daily. Backed by positive and supportive team players and inspiring leaders, we adapt to change. Driven to grow. Owning every action. To do things better.

As smart, problem-solvers, we are always learning and growing. And that’s easier to do alongside passionate experts, as we collaborate across teams readily sharing our knowledge.

Each day is a new journey, as we bring an exciting vision to life. With significant capital investment in new, improved infrastructure, there’s never been a better time to expand your potential at Sydney Airport. The range of responsibilities and diverse pathways you can take on with us, are surprising.

We are SYD. United in the pride that comes with welcoming the world at Australia’s premier gateway.

Job Description

About the role

12-month fixed term contract

The Commercial Team is responsible for all non‑aeronautical revenue at the Airport, including retail, commercial transport, and property development. The team oversees the management, optimisation, and growth of commercial activities to meet the evolving needs of the airport and its stakeholders.

The Commercial Strategy, Development and Programs Team’s role is to keep an eye on the mid-to long term, providing data‑led insights that shape the opportunity identification process. The team is responsible for identifying, scoping and validating opportunities that protect and grow commercial revenue.

We’re looking for a Commercial Development Manager for a 12-month fixed term contract, to play a pivotal role in shaping Sydney Airport’s long‑term commercial future by identifying, validating and progressing high‑value development opportunities across our diverse estate.

Reporting to the Commercial Development Lead, this role sits at the heart of Sydney Airport’s capital investment framework. You’ll lead opportunities from early concept and feasibility through to final business case approval, guiding sponsors and senior stakeholders to make confident, evidence‑based investment decisions.

You’ll work across a broad portfolio of land, precinct and asset opportunities - translating ambiguous ideas into robust, decision‑ready development concepts that unlock long‑term commercial, operational and customer value.

In this role, you will have the opportunity to

• 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

About you

• You’re a commercially minded development professional who thrives in complexity and ambiguity. You’re comfortable challenging thinking, influencing senior stakeholders and balancing commercial returns with operational, customer and long‑term strategic outcomes.
• 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 gained 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
• The ability to work effectively in live operating environments where trade‑offs matter
• 5+ years’ experience in a comparable development, strategy or commercial role

What we offer

To find out more about the amazing work environment here at SYD, be sure to check out theJoin us section of Sydney Airport’s website, where you can also see more about our flexible culture and work practices, alongside our otherEmployee benefits , or take a look at ourLinkedIn Sydney Airport: Life page .

Make it Amazing

SYD is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages all suitably qualified applicants to apply, including First Nations Australians, and people from culturally diverse backgrounds.