Performance Manager

Qantas Airways; Cairns Regional; Hybrid; AUD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Jetstar is seeking a Performance Manager to lead a large frontline workforce at a busy port in Cairns. You will be the visible link between senior leadership and on-the-ground teams, driving engagement, accountability and operational excellence in a shift-based environment.

You will partner with the Airport Manager, oversee performance, recruitment, rostering and change initiatives, and maintain a calm, outcomes-focused approach to disruptions. 12-month contract with extension potential.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading large frontline teams.
• Ability to develop a culture of accountability and high performance.
• Experience with workforce planning and recruitment across a large operation.
• Coaching, development conversations and performance reviews.
• Strong stakeholder engagement with cross-functional partners.
• Ability to manage employee relations with fairness and empathy.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a large frontline workforce, fostering accountability, engagement, inclusion and high performance.
• Partner with the Airport Manager to maintain visibility across the operation and identify workforce risks and opportunities.
• Manage performance through coaching, development conversations, and reviews, addressing concerns as needed.
• Lead recruitment activity, workforce planning, onboarding and future talent pipelines.
• Monitor workforce needs and rosters, adapt to short-notice changes to maintain service delivery.
• Resolve employee concerns with empathy and solutions-focused approach.
• Lead and support airport change initiatives with clear communication and stakeholder engagement.
• Manage disruptions and crises with calm, decisive leadership prioritizing safety and customers.
• Develop leadership capability across Team Leaders via coaching and succession planning.

Skills

People leadership

Frontline teams

Workforce planning

Recruitment

Performance management

Stakeholder engagement

Change management

Job description

• 12-month contract with the possibility to extend
• Championing people and operational excellence.
• Build your leadership profile in a highly visible role.

Takeoff with your next opportunity

As the Performance Manager for this busy port, you'll be the backbone of the operational team, acting as the vital link between senior leadership and the team on the ground. You understand that operational excellence and exceptional customer outcomes start with engaged, supported and motivated people. You know what is happening across your workforce and take pride in building strong relationships that allow you to stay connected to your team while delivering results.

Leading a team of up to 80 employees, you are a highly visible and approachable leader who genuinely listens. People trust you because they feel heard, valued and supported, whether they are raising a concern, seeking guidance or navigating change. You balance empathy with accountability, creating an environment where people can perform at their best while feeling supported to do so. You understand that leading a shift-based workforce requires flexibility and visibility. Whether it's an early morning briefing, a late operational disruption or supporting a team member outside traditional office hours, you're willing to adjust your schedule to ensure your people feel supported and connected.

About You

As Performance Manager, your focus will include:

• Leading and developing a large frontline workforce, fostering a culture of accountability, engagement, inclusion and high performance.
• Partnering closely with the Airport Manager to maintain visibility across the operation, proactively identifying workforce challenges, risks and opportunities.
• Managing employee performance, including coaching, development conversations, performance reviews, recognition and addressing performance concerns where required.
• Leading recruitment activity across the airport, including workforce planning, selection, onboarding and supporting the development of future talent pipelines.
• Monitoring workforce requirements and reviewing operational rosters, responding to short-notice operational changes to ensure service delivery and business continuity.
• Supporting the resolution of employee concerns and workplace issues with empathy, professionalism and a solutions-focused approach.
• Leading and supporting airport change initiatives, ensuring clear communication, stakeholder engagement and successful implementation.
• Managing operational disruptions and crisis situations, providing calm, decisive leadership while maintaining a focus on safety, people and customer outcomes.
• Developing leadership capability across Team Leaders through ongoing coaching, mentoring and succession planning initiatives.
• Ensuring the consistent application of company policies, procedures and employment obligations while maintaining a fair and supportive employee experience.

We’re searching for someone who:

• Has a genuine passion for people leadership, with proven experience leading large frontline teams
• Builds strong relationships at all levels and is known for being approachable and making people feel heard
• Maintains a strong understanding of their workforce, staying connected to day-to-day team dynamics, emerging issues and operational priorities.
• Has experience managing performance, development and employee relations matter with fairness, empathy and confidence.
• Can balance people outcomes with operational requirements, making sound decisions in a fast-paced and ever-changing environment.
• Brings experience in workforce planning, recruitment and talent development, ensuring teams are set up for both immediate and long-term success.
• Is highly organised and action-oriented, following through on commitments, responding to issues quickly
• Communicates effectively, adapting their style to a range of audiences a
• Remains calm and solutions-focused during operational disruptions, roster challenges, employee concerns and other unexpected situations.

Your Life At Jetstar Is Unlike Any Other

Put the craft in aircraft: There’s a new fleet of A321LR NEO’s waiting for your arrival. Beyond Jetstar, our teams get exposure to projects related to the Qantas Group’s A320/1, B787 and A321 Freighters.

Live the travel dream: You and your nominated travel companions can takeoff more with our famous Qantas Group Staff Travel discount.

Make work feel like a holiday: Join a fun, driven team where work feels like a holiday. Our people take every opportunity to takeoff together and find ways to help their teammates soar.

There’s a place for everyone at Jetstar: For us, travel and meeting new people go hand in hand. We invite our people to get involved in various Employee Network Groups that play an important role in creating our inclusive and supportive culture that we are fiercely proud of. We believe that teams with a diversity of ideas and experiences are more creative, innovative and solve problems quickly. We welcome applications from anyone who wants to takeoff with us. If you have support or access requirements, just reach out and let us know what you need.