Job Description

Sunshine Coast Airport – the natural choice for your next career move.

We’re proud to be growing ahigh-performing workplace where our people thrive, driving one of Australia’s fastest-growing regional airports. Located in one of the country’s most iconic destinations, Sunshine Coast Airport is committed to delivering an effortless and enjoyable experience for our passengers, partners, and team. If you’re passionate about innovation, sustainability, and making a real impact in a dynamic environment – this is the opportunity for you.

To help bring our vision to life, we’re now seeking applications for a Head of Aviation Development. This is a rare opportunity to lead the strategy that drives aviation growth, elevates commercial outcomes, and strengthens customer and stakeholder engagement. Join us in shaping the future of aviation in this full‑time, permanent role, starting as soon as you’re ready to take off.

Reporting to the General Manager Aviation and Commercial, the Head of Aviation Development is responsible for the management and implementation of the Sunshine Coast Airport’s airline business development and relationship management strategy to grow international and domestic seats, flight and passenger activity, cargo and aviation services. In addition, this role will build and maintain positive relationships with key representatives within airlines and other external stakeholders such as tourism bodies and government departments.

What you will do:

Be Our Industry Insider

Stay ahead of global aviation trends and provide high‑value insights to senior leaders, shaping major decisions and future growth. Your analysis will influence budgets, forecasts, and strategic direction.

Unlock Market and Tourism Opportunities

Dive deep into regional economic and tourism drivers to identify new traveller markets and growth segments. You’ll help position the Sunshine Coast as a must‑visit, high‑demand destination.

Drive Innovation and Commercial Growth

Champion fresh marketing ideas, aviation business development initiatives, and new programs that elevate our passenger and cargo performance. Your creativity will spark the next wave of aviation
success.

Grow Airline Partnerships and New Routes

Proactively pursue new domestic and international airline opportunities using sharp commercial acumen and route‑growth expertise. You’ll help unlock new services, increase capacity, and strengthen airline relationships.

Lead, Influence and Represent the Future of Sunshine Coast Airport

Build strong partnerships across airlines, tourism, freight, government and industry, both locally and internationally. Lead the Aviation Development team, deliver major aviation development projects, and represent the airport at high‑profile engagements and negotiations.

What you will need:

• Extensive aviation and commercial expertise, including business development, airline relations, route development and securing new partnerships that drive passenger and cargo growth.
• Strong analytical and commercial capability, with experience interpreting aviation trends, forecasting demand, and developing financial models, incentive proposals and strategic business cases.
• Marketing and stakeholder engagement experience, including tourism and trade partnerships, understanding traveller behaviour, and managing high‑level relationships across airlines, government and industry.
• Proven leadership, negotiation and management skills, with experience leading teams, managing cross‑functional initiatives, handling commercial negotiations and delivering complex projects to tight deadlines.

If you would like to register your interest then please submit your resume and cover letter today.

Sunshine Coast Airport is committed to being an Equal Opportunity Employer. We support applications from individuals from all backgrounds and are committed to encouraging diversity, belonging and inclusion in the workplace.

The closing date for applications is 20 April 2026. Shortlisted candidates may be contacted during or after this period. Sunshine Coast Airport thanks all applicants for their interest in this position. While we aim to respond to all applications, due to the volume received, only those selected for shortlisting will be contacted directly.