Senior Airport Operations & Compliance Coordinator

Public Sector People; Hervey Bay; On-site; AUD 88,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

9-Day Fortnight

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Fraser Coast Regional Council is seeking aSenior Airport Operations & Compliance Coordinator to act as 2IC and lead an experienced operations team at Hervey Bay's airports. You will own airside operations, aviation safety, security and compliance, and drive continuous improvement of the compliance framework.

A major focus is strengthening compliance manuals and procedures, aligning with regulatory requirements, and establishing ongoing systems for regulatory milestones and critical dates.

Qualifications

• Strong experience in airport operations and airside management.
• Solid knowledge of aviation safety, security and regulatory compliance.
• Ability to interpret CASA requirements and aviation regs.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day airport operations, safety, security and compliance.
• Support and develop a four-person operations team.
• Maintain and review Aerodrome Manual, SSP, AEP and SMS.
• Ensure compliance with CASA and other aviation regulations.
• Monitor regulatory obligations and compliance milestones.
• Coordinate risk management, audits, and emergency planning.

Skills

Airport operations

Airside operations

Regulatory compliance

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Communication

Air Radio Licence

ASIC eligibility

Education

ARO qualifications

Job description

Senior Airport Operations & Compliance Coordinator

Senior Airport Operations & Compliance Coordinator

Fraser Coast Regional Council | Hervey Bay, QLD | Airport Operations |Stream A Level 6 $104,018 |9-Day Fortnight | Relocation Assistance up to $6,000

Public Sector People are proud to partner with Fraser Coast Regional Council to recruit a Senior Airport Operations & Compliance Coordinator — a key operational leadership role supporting the safe, secure and compliant operation of Council's airports.
Reporting directly to the Airport Manager, this position will act as a key 2IC within the Airport team, leading an experienced operational team while taking ownership across airside operations, aviation safety, security, compliance and emergency preparedness.
The Role

This is far more than a traditional airport operations position.
You will play a critical role in ensuring Council's airports continue to meet their operational and regulatory obligations while having the opportunity to make the role your own, establish improved systems and help shape how the airport manages its compliance responsibilities into the future.
A major initial focus will be reviewing and strengthening the airport's compliance framework, ensuring key manuals, procedures and regulatory requirements remain current while establishing a clear ongoing system for managing compliance activities and critical dates.
Working closely with the Airport Manager, you'll lead and support a team of four Airport Operations Officers and an Airport Operations & Business Support Officer, while providing specialist advice across airside operations, safety, security and regulatory compliance.
Key responsibilities include:

• Leading and coordinating day-to-day airport operations, safety, security and compliance
• Managing and supporting an experienced airport operations team
• Maintaining and reviewing the Aerodrome Manual, Transport Security Plan, Airport Emergency Plan and Safety Management System
• Ensuring compliance with relevant CASA, Department of Home Affairs and other aviation regulatory requirements
• Establishing effective systems for monitoring regulatory obligations and compliance milestones
• Coordinating airport risk management, audits, emergency preparedness and compliance reporting
• Liaising with regulators, airlines, airport tenants, contractors, emergency services and other stakeholders
• Supporting airport projects, contracts, procurement and capital works
• Contributing to airport master planning, aviation strategy, asset planning and operational improvement
• Participating in the airport's on-call arrangements when required

The role combines genuine operational responsibility with leadership, governance and continuous improvement, providing the successful candidate with broad exposure across the airport function.
About You
You are an experienced airport operations professional who combines strong airside knowledge with sound judgement, organisation and people skills.
You may already be operating at a similar level within a regional airport, or you could be an experienced Airport Reporting Officer or senior airport operations professional ready to take the next step into a broader leadership position.
Council is not necessarily looking for someone who has spent years in management. More important is your practical airport knowledge, understanding of regulatory requirements and ability to work closely with an experienced operational team while providing the direction and accountability required.
You will bring:

• Strong experience within airport operations, preferably with well-rounded airside exposure
• Knowledge of aviation safety, security and regulatory compliance
• An understanding of CASA requirements and the ability to interpret legislation, standards and regulatory instruments
• Experience with airport operational manuals, procedures, safety systems or compliance documentation
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple regulatory requirements and deadlines
• Leadership experience or demonstrated capability to step into a team leadership position
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills
• A practical, hands-on approach and willingness to work closely with the operational team
• Airport Reporting Officer qualifications, or the ability to obtain these shortly after appointment
• Air Radio Licence, or the ability to obtain one
• Current driver's licence and ability to obtain an ASIC

Strong airside knowledge will be particularly valuable, including practical understanding of areas such as runway conditions, airfield lighting, wildlife management, vegetation, drainage and airside security requirements.
While ARO qualifications are preferred, Council is prepared to consider an exceptional candidate who brings the right broader aviation experience and can obtain the required qualifications shortly after appointment.
Why Join Fraser Coast Regional Council?
This opportunity offers:

• A genuine 2IC opportunity working directly with the Airport Manager
• The chance to take ownership of airport operations and compliance and make the role your own
• Leadership of an experienced and well-established airport operations team
• Broad exposure across airside operations, safety, security, compliance and airport projects
• The opportunity to strengthen systems and influence how the airport operates into the future
• Career progression for an experienced ARO or airport operations professional
• A 9-day fortnight
• Relocation assistance up to $6,000
• The opportunity to live and work on Queensland's Fraser Coast

This is particularly well suited to someone currently working within a regional airport who is ready for greater responsibility, or an experienced professional from a larger airport looking for a broader role and a genuine coastal lifestyle change.
You'll join an Airport Manager who is looking for someone who can complement his experience, bring strong airside capability and work alongside him to continue developing the airport function. Most importantly, you'll have the freedom to establish systems, improve processes and take genuine ownership of the position.
Be part of a team responsible for keeping the Fraser Coast connected, while taking the next step in your aviation career.
Applications close: Tuesday 29 September 2026 at 5pm.