Cost Planning Manager

Company Description

MAKE IT MEANINGFUL

At Sydney Airport, the future of air travel is shaped by you.

As a team, we connect the world. More than just a hub of activity and boundless energy, we're creating a destination of amazing experiences. Like seeing wonderful moments unfold in front of you, knowing "I made that possible".

Dynamic. Fast-paced. We thrive in a place where fresh challenges land daily. Backed by positive and supportive team players and inspiring leaders, we adapt to change. Driven to grow. Owning every action. To do things better.

As smart, problem-solvers, we are always learning and growing. And that's easier to do alongside passionate experts, as we collaborate across teams readily sharing our knowledge.

Each day is a new journey, as we bring an exciting vision to life. With significant capital investment in new, improved infrastructure, there's never been a better time to expand your potential at Sydney Airport. The range of responsibilities and diverse pathways you can take on with us, are surprising.

We are SYD. United in the pride that comes with welcoming the world at Australia's premier gateway.

Job Description

About the role

As a Cost Planning Manager, you'll be at the forefront of shaping Sydney Airport's future infrastructure. This strategic role is central to the early phases of project development—reviewing cost plans, challenging assumptions, and ensuring our concepts are both visionary and commercially sound. You'll work closely with sponsors, consultants, and internal teams to influence key decisions and drive value from the outset.

This is a high-impact opportunity for someone who thrives on stakeholder engagement, brings credibility to the table, and isn't afraid to challenge Quantity Surveyors or push for better outcomes. Your insights will help define the feasibility of major projects and set the foundation for successful delivery.

In this role, you will have the opportunity to

• Review and advise on cost plans, rates, and cost breakdown structures to support early-stage project feasibility.
• Lead cost planning and estimation processes aligned with governance and strategic objectives.
• Challenge surveyors and consultants to ensure robust, value-driven outcomes.
• Facilitate optioneering and value engineering workshops to support informed decision-making.
• Collaborate with sponsors and cross-functional teams to integrate cost insights into broader planning.
• Influence project direction through clear, data-backed recommendations and stakeholder engagement.

About you

• You're a credible stakeholder manager who can hold your ground with sponsors and senior leaders.
• You bring 10+ years of experience in cost planning, estimating, or consultancy—ideally within infrastructure or airport environments.
• You understand cost breakdown structures and can translate complex data into clear, actionable insights.
• You have a background in construction estimating or consultancy and are comfortable challenging assumptions.
• You hold a degree in Urban Planning, Architecture, Engineering, or a related field.
• You're a confident communicator with the ability to influence, engage, and lead across diverse teams.

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.