Development Manager (Contract)

Sydneyairport1; Sydney; On-site; AUD 170,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Sydney Airport is seeking a Commercial Development Manager on a 12-month fixed-term contract to identify, validate and progress high-value development opportunities across its diverse estate. Reporting to the Commercial Development Lead, you will guide opportunities from concept through business case approval, working with sponsors and senior stakeholders to inform investment decisions.

You will coordinate across Commercial, Planning & Delivery, Operations and Finance to translate ideas into

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification in property economics, development, urban planning or similar.
• 5+ years in a comparable development, strategy or commercial role.
• Experience in feasibility and business case development.
• Experience in retail, transport, infrastructure or property environments.
• Partnering with finance on development economics and option analysis.
• Exposure to large-scale capital investment decision-making and executive briefings.

Responsibilities

• Identify and shape high-value land and asset opportunities across the airport precinct.
• Test and validate concepts through upfront feasibility, including market demand and development economics.
• Challenge assumptions and explore land-use scenarios to determine highest and best use.
• Translate ideas into clearly defined, evidence-based development opportunities.
• Work with Finance to build and interrogate financial models (DCF, IRR, NPV, sensitivities).
• Prepare clear, decision-ready opportunity briefs and business cases for senior leadership.
• Act as sponsor delegate, guiding opportunities through governance and stage gates.
• Collaborate across Commercial, Planning & Delivery, Operations, Finance and external advisors.

Skills

Early-stage development

Development economics

Capital investment awareness

Executive presentation

Trade-off assessment

Commercial strategy

Education

Property Economics / Property Development / Urban Planning

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.

• 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

• 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

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