Development Manager Jobs in Australia

Job Description

About the role

Sydney Airport is embarking on a bold transformation journey, and we’re looking for a Development Manager to help shape major capital initiatives at their earliest and most critical stage. Sitting within the Transformation function of Group Operations, this role is focused on front‑end project creation—from concept ideation through to business case and funding approval.

At its core, this role exists to help the business clearly define what problem we are trying to solve, what outcomes and benefits we are seeking, and what is required to successfully deliver those outcomes. You will work closely with Sponsors and stakeholders to shape problem statements, challenge assumptions, and translate strategic intent into well‑defined, value‑led initiatives that are ready to progress into delivery.

This is not a property development or construction delivery role. Instead, it is a strategic, problem‑shaping role that ensures the right projects are initiated, for the right reasons, and set up for success before they formally enter delivery.

In this role, you will have the opportunity to…

• Define problems with Sponsors and stakeholders, clarifying objectives, outcomes, success measures, and benefits.
• Shape early‑stage capital initiatives from concept to funding approval, ensuring value‑led and strategic alignment.
• Translate problems and benefits into clear, actionable requirements to guide solution design and investment decisions.
• Apply best‑practice front‑end development disciplines, including optioneering, requirements, benefits mapping, and cost scoping.
• Challenge assumptions and solutions to ensure alignment with core problems and intended outcomes.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams through development, driving collaboration and value focus.
• Partner with Planning & Delivery teams to transition projects post‑approval into delivery maintaining benefits and business‑case integrity.
• Drive robust governance, transparency, and decision‑making aligned to benefits realisation.
• Improve early‑stage development frameworks, tools, and ways of working across the portfolio.

About you

• You thrive in ambiguity and enjoy figuring out what needs to be done before a solution or project is fully defined, rather than focusing on construction or execution management.
• Degree or Master’s in Engineering (Aeronautical, Chemical, Complex Systems, Manufacturing, or a related technical discipline).
• Demonstrated experience shaping complex initiatives in live operational environments, ideally within infrastructure, aviation, transport, or similarly complex systems.
• Strong problem‑solving capability, with a track record of defining problems, structuring thinking, and developing value‑led solutions.
• Data‑led and analytically minded, with the ability to develop robust, evidence‑based business cases.
• Comfortable operating in fast‑paced, matrixed environments, influencing stakeholders across multiple functions.
• Clear, structured communicator with strong written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• A collaborative mindset and a passion for continuous improvement and learning.

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.

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