Aviation Development Manager

About the team

We are seeking a high-calibre Manager, Aviation Development to join our Aviation Development team at Sydney Airport.

The team plays a critical role in shaping SYD’s long-term growth—driving strategic air service development to meet future passenger demand and expand global connectivity. Working closely with airline partners, they identify and develop new route opportunities, strengthen existing services, and build robust business cases and growth programs that deliver sustainable outcomes for the airport.

About the role

Supporting the Senior Manager, Aviation Development, you will focus on growing Sydney Airport’s international seat capacity across South Asia and emerging markets, including India, the Middle East and other high-growth regions.

This is a highly commercial and externally facing role, where you will:

• Develop data-led business cases to support new and underserved routes
• Analyse market dynamics (political, economic, airline and competitive landscape) to identify opportunities
• Partner directly with airline network planning teams to influence route decisions
• Present insights and commercial proposals to senior airline stakeholders
• Build strong, cross-cultural relationships across complex international markets

You will initially work closely with senior team members to build market knowledge and relationships, before progressively taking on ownership of key markets.

The role also contributes to Board and C-suite reporting, supports strategic business development activity, and plays a key role in shaping Sydney Airport’s long-term aviation growth strategy.

This position requires regular international engagement, with quarterly travel and attendance at global aviation forums, providing exposure to senior airline stakeholders and industry leaders.

About you

We’re looking for someone with the commercial acumen, presence and drive to operate in complex, high-stakes environments.

You will bring:

• Strong analytical and commercial capability, with experience in financial modelling, business cases and identifying growth opportunities
• Advanced Excel skills and confidence working with data to shape strategic decisions
• Proven ability to present insights clearly and influence senior stakeholders, including executive audiences
• A natural executive presence, with the confidence to engage and build relationships across cultures and seniority levels
• Resilience and adaptability – you’re comfortable in a challenging, fast-paced environment and can navigate robust stakeholder dynamics
• A genuine interest in emerging markets and global aviation, with curiosity to understand diverse and evolving regions
• Experience in consulting, banking, finance or commercial roles (highly regarded), or within aviation/transport infrastructure
• You don’t need prior aviation experience—what matters is your commercial mindset, curiosity, the interest and ability to learn quickly.
• Foreign language skills an advantage especially, SE Asian, Japanese or Korean

Why this role

• Exposure to global aviation strategy and senior airline stakeholders
• Opportunity to own and grow key international markets over time
• Work on long-term, high-impact opportunities that shape Sydney Airport’s future network
• Be part of a team that combines commercial rigour with global market influence

What we offer

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