Executive Manager Global Airports

Company Description

About Us

Founded in the Queensland outback in 1920, Qantas has grown to be Australia’s largest regional, domestic, and international airline. Qantas has a range of subsidiary businesses that support the overall operations of the Group. The Qantas Group’s main business is the transportation of customers and freight using two complementary airline brands — Qantas and Jetstar — operating regional, domestic, and international services.

Job Description

• Lead the strategic direction, transformation and global performance of Qantas airport operations
• Inspire and influence diverse teams and stakeholders to deliver safety, customer, operational, and commercial excellence.
• Drive cultural alignment, innovation and continuous improvement as a key member of the Qantas Airlines executive leadership team

Today, we’re busy planning for tomorrow. We look to the future to guide the way we innovate, helping the Qantas Group to stay relevant and responsive in an evolving industry.

Reporting to the CEO Qantas International & Freight, the Executive Manager, Global Airports will provide strategic leadership across our global airport operations. This role is accountable for end-to-end performance — driving excellence in safety, customer experience, people experience, operational efficiency and financial outcomes. With a focus on transformation, you’ll lead the design and execution of the global airports strategy, ensuring alignment with Qantas Group priorities and long-term goals. You’ll play a key role in challenging current practices, unlocking efficiencies and delivering commercial value across our global footprint.

Leadership is at the heart of this role. You will lead and empower globally dispersed teams, champion a high-performance culture, and role model leadership behaviours that reflect our Qantas Group values. You’ll navigate union and stakeholder relationships and ensure strong governance across safety, security, and compliance. Your ability to lead through change, influence at the highest levels, and deliver outcomes that shape the future of our airport operations will be critical to the Group’s ongoing transformation and success.

What you’ll bring to the role:

• 15+ years in senior management roles within large or listed organisations, with a demonstrated ability to lead complex operational portfolios, oversee enterprise-level projects, and deliver sustainable results.
• Masters level qualifications in business/aviation or related discipline.
• Proven strategic leadership with strong communication and influencing skills to engage teams and stakeholders across complex, unionised environments.
• Executive-level stakeholder management experience, with a track record of collaboration across business units, functions and external partners.
• Demonstrated ability to balance and prioritise competing business objectives while driving aligned, strategic outcomes.
• Innovative and analytical thinker, skilled in resolving complex challenges and delivering creative, practical solutions.
• Strong knowledge of compliance, governance, financial control frameworks, and third-party contract management.
• Collaborative, accountable leadership style with a strong commitment to transformation, continuous improvement and cultural alignment.

Why Qantas? 

You’ll join a team where creativity and passion are encouraged. Our people come together to allow us to dream big and deliver successfully. 

Qantas employees also get to enjoy an amazing benefits program including:

• Travel: Enjoy heavily discounted air travel within Australia and across the globe - both for you and your family and friends - as well as exclusive deals on accommodation and holidays.
• Flexible leave options: Make use of leave and flexible working opportunities including up to 18 weeks paid parental leave and additional purchased leave options for eligible employees.
• Access to thousands of rewards: Through our partnerships we can offer you discounts across shopping, food and wine, insurance, health and wellbeing, leisure and entertainment. You can also take advantage of our salary packaging program including motor vehicles, eligible portable electronic devices and professional memberships.
• We’ll also support your wellbeing: Whether it’s learning to better support your own and others’ mental health, our interactive wellbeing app or your very own tailored nutrition plan. 

Applications close Friday, 11th July 2025.

Qualifications

Master's level qualifications in business/aviation or related discipline including 15 years' experience.