At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape Sydney Airport's commercial future by identifying and progressing high-value development opportunities.
- Company: Sydney Airport, Australia's premier gateway, creating amazing travel experiences.
- Benefits: Inclusive workplace, diverse opportunities, and a chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with strong support for professional growth and diversity.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and lead innovative projects that shape the future of air travel.
- Qualifications: Tertiary qualification in relevant fields and 5+ years in development or strategy roles.
The predicted salary is between 123300 - 150700 $ per year.
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.
About the role
We’re looking for a Commercial Development Manager 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:
- Identify and shape high‑value land and asset opportunities across the airport precinct.
- Test and validate concepts through upfront feasibility, including market demand, planning pathways, development economics, risk and operational impact.
- Challenge assumptions and explore alternative land‑use scenarios to determine highest and best use.
- 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.
- Act as a sponsor delegate, guiding opportunities through governance and stage gates.
- Collaborate across Commercial, Planning & Delivery, Operations, Finance and external advisors to ensure alignment and feasibility.
- Support 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. You’ll bring:
- 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
SYD is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages all suitably qualified applicants to apply, including First Nations Australians, and people from culturally diverse backgrounds.
Development Manager, Commercial in Sydney employer: Sydney Airport
At Sydney Airport, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and fast-paced work environment where innovation thrives. Our supportive culture fosters collaboration and continuous learning, providing employees with ample opportunities for professional growth and development. With significant investment in infrastructure and a commitment to excellence, joining our Finance team as an FP&A Manager means being part of a transformative journey at Australia's premier gateway.
