Commercial Development Manager
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
- 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
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
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.