Commercial Director M3R

Shape one of Australia’s most significant infrastructure programs

Melbourne Airport is undergoing a once-in-a-generation transformation. The M3R (Melbourne Third Runway) Program is a multi-billion-dollar initiative that will redefine how we operate, grow and serve our customers into the future.

We’re looking for an experienced Commercial Director to play a pivotal leadership role in the success of this program. Reporting to the Executive Director, M3R, you will lead all commercial, legal, financial and governance aspects of the program while working at the centre of a high-performing, collaborative leadership team.

Explore how we are thinking big with exciting projects like the Third Runway, state-of-the-art terminals, and thriving business park developments. You can also learn more about life at Melbourne Airport – our culture, values, and what makes us unique at https://www.melbourneairport.com.au/corporate/our-culture-and-values. Join us in shaping the future of aviation as we propel Melbourne Airport towards becoming Australia's favourite Airport destination.

The opportunity

This is a career-defining role where you will:

• Lead the commercial strategy and governance of a major infrastructure program
• Partner closely with delivery, project controls and communications teams to drive outcomes
• Influence critical decisions through financial insight, risk management and commercial leadership
• Operate in a fast-paced, delivery-focused environment with Tier 1 contractors
• Play a key role in shaping a collaborative contracting environment while protecting commercial outcomes 

Key responsibilities:

Commercial & Contract Leadership

• Lead all contractual matters across the program, including claims, disputes and commercial negotiations
• Oversee the administration of the D&C contract, including contractor payments, variations and correspondence
• Provide commercial oversight of contractor performance, including cost, progress and earned value analysis

Financial Leadership

• Own program-wide financial reporting, including forecasting, cashflow modelling and cost analysis
• Lead the monthly reporting cycle, providing insights on budget performance, variances and contingency
• Support broader business understanding of program financials and performance

Governance, Risk & Compliance

• Lead governance frameworks including risk management, audit processes and compliance monitoring
• Oversee key integrity processes such as conflicts of interest and delegation of authority
• Act as the key interface for internal and external audit and assurance activities

Program Leadership

• Be an active member of the Project Leadership Team
• Drive alignment across delivery, commercial and corporate functions
• Lead and develop a high-performing commercial team

Legal & Stakeholder Interface

• Act as the central point for legal advice, including briefing external counsel
• Manage third-party commercial issues, claims and stakeholder matters
• Oversee insurance-related matters and interface with corporate insurance teams

The successful candidate will have:

You’re a seasoned commercial leader who thrives in complex, high-value infrastructure environments.

• Extensive experience in senior commercial roles on large infrastructure projects, ideally client-side
• Proven experience working with Tier 1 contractors in complex delivery environments
• Strong leadership experience managing and developing sizeable commercial teams
• Deep expertise across contracts, financial management, governance and risk
• The ability to balance commercial outcomes with a collaborative, relationship-led approach
• Tertiary qualifications in law, finance, engineering or a related discipline (postgraduate or AICD highly regarded)

We understand that not everyone will feel they meet all of these 100%. However, if you feel you have the attitude and aptitude to grow within our team, we invite you to apply and have a conversation with us about this position.

About the Company:

Melbourne Airport (Australia Pacific Airports Corporation) is proud to be one of Australia's premier transport hubs and Victoria's gateway to the world, connecting us to the global marketplace. We are committed to creating connections that matter and enhancing the traveller experience across every aspect of our organisation to deliver our vision of becoming Australia's favourite Airport destination. Currently, in an exciting phase of change, we are delivering rewarding career opportunities, making Melbourne Airport a dynamic and fast-paced place to work for our people.

APAC is a majority Australian-owned private company that also operates Launceston Airport, the tourism gateway to Tasmania and an industry multi-award-winning airport.

Culture and Values:

By joining the team at Melbourne Airport, you will work within a friendly, high-performance culture with a focus on our people and their development.

Our vision is to become Australia's favourite Airport destination and our people are paramount to achieving this success. We provide a supportive environment, with values that encourage all of our employees to Be You, Think Big, Own it and Work Together.

Benefits:

• Free access to Higher State, our state-of-the-art Fitness Club & Wellness Hub at Novotel & ibis Styles Airport hotel.
• Airport car parking 24 hours/365 days a year for both business and personal use
• Hybrid flexible working arrangements
• Airport Holiday, an additional day of leave
• Wellness Day, a further additional day of leave
• Discounted onsite childcare at Creative Garden Early Learning
• Mental health and well-being initiatives, including Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Long-term career and professional development opportunities
• Active social culture and participation in a range of social impact days and activities
• Signature Experiences including an airfield family day
• Access to an employee benefits scheme including access to corporate rates and airport retailer discounts (including SkyBus)

APAC is committed to weaving Diversity into our DNA. We believe that Diversity and Inclusion will help us realise our greatest potential as a company, and maximise the potential of all our team members. We strive to create a culture where our team members understand that each individual is unique and that embracing diversity makes us more flexible, productive, and creative.

APAC provides equal opportunity and advancement in employment regardless of gender, age, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, cultural background, caring responsibilities, disability or socioeconomic background. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds who share our workplace values of Being You, Thinking Big, Owning It and Working Together.