Planning Manager Airports

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Qantas is seeking a Planning Manager Airports to own and lead workforce planning for Melbourne and Adelaide airports in a 24/7 environment while balancing cost, rostering and operational demand. The role drives efficiency, cross-skilling and succession planning with a focus on EBAs and industrial relations in a unionised setting. You will partner with central and local teams, influence senior stakeholders, and translate data into practical workforce decisions that meet KPIs. The ideal candidate has 5 to 8 plus years in workforce planning, experience in shift-based operations, and strong stakeholder influence. To apply, tailor your CV to highlight 24/7 operations, cost management, union exposure and measurable outcomes; demonstrate data driven storytelling and change leadership, and confirm right to work in Australia.

Company Description

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

• Own workforce planning for major airport operations, directly shaping how Melbourne runs in a complex, 24/7 environment while overseeing Adelaide operations.  
• Drive real impact by improving workforce efficiency, capability and cross-skilling across a large operational workforce 
• Influence decisions at scale, partnering with senior stakeholders in heavily unionized environments to balance strategy with operational and commercial outcomes 

We’ve always been pioneers, and we’re proud to see that spirit in our people today. Our resilience has helped us through good and tough times, and it still drives us to keep pushing the challenging expectations today. Our corporate functions include Corporate Affairs, Public Company, Legal, Finance, Treasury, Industrial Relations, IT, Sustainability, People and Customer, supporting the CEO in making Qantas a market leading, global organisation. 

As the Planning Manager Airports, you will lead the delivery of operational, transformational and strategic workforce planning across Melbourne and Adelaide Airports. As the planning lead for the region, you’ll partner with central and local teams to optimise rostering and resource deployment, manage cost within forecast, and ensure workforce plans align to operational demand and group KPIs. You’ll provide insight and influence to drive continuous improvement, enhance workforce capability through initiatives such as cross-skilling, training and succession planning, and ensure compliance with EBAs and workforce planning frameworks. 

Reporting to the Head of Airports, you will be accountable for leading regional workforce planning while contributing to national programs focused on workforce utilisation and planning effectiveness. You will play a key role in the industrial relations landscape, partnering with unions and stakeholders on workforce matters, while anticipating future workforce requirements and ensuring the operation is set up for success. While this is a strategic leadership role, it operates within a 24/7 environment, requiring a strong people focus and consideration of how workforce decisions impact rostering, employee experience and operational performance, alongside flexibility to support the operation when needed. 

The successful candidate will have: 

• 5–8+ years’ experience in Workforce Planning, with strong exposure to forecasting, rostering and workforce optimisation 
• Experience working in complex, fast-paced environments, ideally within a 24/7 operation 
• A solid understanding of shift-based workforces, including workforce constraints, rostering impacts and operational trade-offs 
• Experience working within unionised / EBA environments, or strong knowledge of workforce compliance requirements 
• Proven ability to influence and build relationships across a matrix environment, including operational leaders and central teams 
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to translate workforce insights into practical outcomes 
• A strategic mindset, with experience identifying and delivering improvements (e.g. efficiency, cross-skilling, workforce capability uplift) 
• Demonstrated experience in building workforce capability, including training, development and succession planning 
• A strong understanding of the people impact of workforce decisions, including employee experience, engagement and sustainability in a 24/7 environment 
• The ability to balance strategic priorities with operational demands, stepping in when required without becoming overly reactive 
• Ability to interpret workforce data and translate insights into practical outcomes 
• Strong commercial mindset, with experience managing workforce planning decisions against cost and operational targets 

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. 

There are many different opportunities across our team, which means you’ll be able to grow both personally and professionally at Qantas. Your development is a priority for us – so that you can maintain the high standards our customers have come to expect and can continue to develop over time. You’ll be supported from day 1 with on the job training and coaching as well as our formal training opportunities. While you may start in this role, we’ve got a great track record of supporting our people to take their career in so many different directions, the destinations are endless.  

The Qantas employee benefits program offers amazing benefits that extend well beyond travel.  

• We have flexible leave options: Make use of leave and flexible working opportunities including 18 weeks paid parental leave and the option to purchase additional paid leave for eligible employees. 
• We’ll give you 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 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. 
• We love to 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. 

Qantas is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion.  We encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, and people of all backgrounds to apply.  If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at time of application.  Your personal information will be kept confidential in compliance with relevant privacy legislation. 

Be a part of something special and play your part in the Qantas story – get in touch today. 

Applications close – Sunday 5th June 2026  

Please note: applications will only be considered for candidates who have the right to work in Australia / New Zealand without restriction or sponsorship.