Q

Sustainability Manager

Queensland Airports Limited • Australia • Added on Aug 25, 2026
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This role bridges the gap between high-level ESG strategy and technical infrastructure delivery. You will lead the transition of airport operations toward a greener future by managing large-scale commercial projects, particularly focusing on electrification and renewable energy integration across the company’s regional aviation hubs. Your work ensures that sustainability is not a side project but a core driver of long-term business value and operational efficiency.

Working within the aviation sector provides a unique platform to address some of the most significant decarbonization challenges in modern transport. By implementing behind-the-meter energy storage and local renewable solutions, you are directly contributing to the Net Zero roadmap for critical regional infrastructure. This position offers a rare opportunity to transform how regional communities stay connected while minimizing the environmental footprint of essential aviation services.

This suits someone who pairs a strong commercial mindset with technical curiosity and isn’t afraid to navigate the complexities of multi-site operations. You should excel at translating intricate environmental data into actionable business cases that resonate with finance and legal teams.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The core mission involves spearheading the 5-Year Strategic Roadmap and the 2030 Net Zero Implementation Plan. You will be the primary lead for scoping and delivering technical projects like airport electrification and energy storage systems. Beyond technical delivery, you are responsible for providing expert sustainability counsel to leadership. This includes ensuring all ESG initiatives are commercially sound and effectively governed by partnering with legal and procurement teams to align environmental goals with business profitability.

Key learning opportunities for this job

You will gain deep expertise in behind-the-meter renewable energy solutions and the technical requirements for large-scale airport electrification. This is a high-growth area as the global aviation industry pivots toward sustainable fuels and electric ground operations. Additionally, the role offers exposure to complex regulatory frameworks and emissions accounting across diverse regional sites. You will learn to navigate the intersection of infrastructure project management and corporate ESG reporting in a high-stakes, safety-critical environment.

How does the ideal candidate look like (experience, skills)?

The ideal candidate brings a blend of strategic project management and commercial acumen. While a sustainability background is valued, the company is open to professionals from engineering, finance, or business backgrounds who have a proven track record of solving complex problems. Strong analytical and critical thinking skills are essential to evaluate technical concepts and translate them into clear recommendations. You must be comfortable with ambiguity and possess the interpersonal skills to influence stakeholders across different functional areas like legal and operations.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, move beyond general sustainability theory and demonstrate your ability to deliver tangible commercial outcomes. Provide examples of where you successfully navigated a technical project from concept to implementation while managing budgets and stakeholder expectations. Highlight your understanding of the aviation industry's unique challenges regarding decarbonization. Showing that you can integrate sustainability into a 'business as usual' operational framework will be more persuasive than focusing solely on environmental passion.

What aspects of the company's sustainability is this role likely to focus on?

The role is heavily weighted toward operational decarbonization. This means focusing on the physical infrastructure of the airports, such as installing renewable energy assets and transitioning ground vehicles and equipment to electric power. There is also a significant focus on ESG governance and strategic reporting. You will ensure that every initiative contributes to the broader corporate roadmap and meets the growing transparency demands of investors and regional communities.

What are the main challenges someone in this role might face?

One of the primary challenges will be navigating the aviation industry's complexity, where safety and operational requirements are paramount. Balancing sustainability goals with the strict regulatory and security protocols of an airport environment requires significant patience and tact. Furthermore, you may face hurdles in proving the commercial viability of emerging green technologies to internal stakeholders who are focused on traditional ROI. Aligning these technical innovations with the long-term financial health of the business will be a recurring task.

How could a typical day look like for someone in this position?

A typical day might begin with a site meeting to discuss progress on a renewable energy installation, followed by a briefing session with the finance team to review a project's business case. You will spend time analyzing data to ensure milestones in the Net Zero plan are being met. The afternoon might involve collaborating with procurement on new vendor contracts or drafting a succinct recommendation report for the executive team. The role is highly varied, shifting between strategic planning and hands-on site-level problem-solving.

What are the opportunities for professional growth and development in this role?

This position offers a pathway toward executive leadership in ESG or operations, given its heavy focus on commercial strategy and infrastructure. Being at the forefront of aviation's green transition places you in a high-demand niche within the global sustainability market. As the group manages four distinct airports, there is also potential for cross-site management and leading larger, group-wide strategic initiatives. You will be building a reputation as a specialist who can bridge the gap between technical ESG and corporate finance.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will frequently interact with the Executive Leadership Team and site managers at Gold Coast, Townsville, Mount Isa, and Longreach. These relationships are key to ensuring strategy is implemented consistently across all locations. External stakeholders include renewable energy consultants, technology vendors, and local community partners. You will also work closely with internal support functions like Legal, Finance, and Procurement to ensure every project is compliant and value-additive.

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