We’re Jetstar. You may know us for our famous low fares, but did you also know that we’ve flown more than 400 million customers since we launched in Australia in 2004? In fact, each week we operate around 3,000 flights to nearly 40 destinations across Australia, New Zealand, Asia and the Pacific. We also operate a fleet of more than 80 aircraft, including state-of-the-art Airbus A320/21 NEO aircraft and the Airbus A320 family and Boeing 787-8s. Every day we enable more people to takeoff to more places, more often.
Impressive numbers? What's even more impressive is the team of extraordinary people taking off together day in day out, flight after flight.
Our people are the real jet stars!
Job Description
- Shape the Future of Jetstar Operations and drive the strategy that will define how we operate today and into the future.
- Full time, permanent opportunity based at our Jetstar Headquarters in Collingwood
- Access to a range of employee benefits, including our staff travel program
As the Senior Manager, Operational Planning & Improvement, you will lead the end to end planning, readiness and improvement functions that keep Jetstar running safely, efficiently and ready for growth. You will oversee short-term and long-term planning, port readiness, infrastructure programs, property and facilities management, while acting as the strategic connector between corporate teams, frontline leaders and external partners. You will ensure infrastructure decisions are well informed, forward plans are robust and improvement initiatives support reliable and efficient performance.
You will also drive the operational improvement agenda by identifying performance issues, addressing root causes and guiding actions that lift reliability and on time delivery. Working closely with Operational Insights & Research, you will translate analysis into practical strategies, govern key programs of work and influence senior stakeholders across the Jetstar Operations and Commercial Leadership Teams, Qantas Infrastructure and airports. This role requires exceptional stakeholder leadership, strong judgement under pressure and the ability to balance commercial, operational and customer trade-offs while leading a high performing team delivering critical outcomes.
In this role you will:
- Oversee end to end planning and readiness activities, ensuring schedules are deliverable and key risks and trade offs are well understood.
- Oversee the operational improvement portfolio, identifying root causes and driving initiatives that lift performance.
- Shape the airport infrastructure program by using data and modelling to inform long term capacity and investment decisions.
- Oversee property and facilities operations, ensuring compliance, service quality and effective collaboration with Qantas.
- Drive strategic projects and port readiness for new ports, terminal changes and major infrastructure programs.
- Drive the strategic direction of the operational planning and improvement functions.
- Lead and develop a high performing team while influencing senior stakeholders and representing Jetstar in key planning and infrastructure forums.
You’ll bring:
- Aviation experience with strong understanding of day‑to‑day operational and commercial drivers is essential.
- 5+ years in operations management, planning or business improvement, preferably within aviation or transport highly desirable.
- Demonstrated leadership experience managing professional teams and delegating effectively.
- A track record delivering complex, cross‑functional projects or programs with budget and stakeholder accountability.
- Strong knowledge of airline functions such as schedule planning, OTP management and disruption response, with operations and/or scheduling experience desirable.
- Excellent stakeholder engagement skills, with confidence influencing senior executives and external airport partners.
- Strong analytical, commercial and communication skills, with the ability to turn insights into clear, actionable strategies in a fast‑paced environment.
Your Life At Jetstar Is Unlike Any Other.
Put the craft in aircraft: There’s a new fleet of A321LR NEO’s waiting for your arrival. Beyond Jetstar, our teams get exposure to projects related to the Qantas Group’s A320/1, B787 and A321 Freighters.
Live the travel dream: You and your nominated travel companions can takeoff more with our famous Qantas Group Staff Travel discount.
Make work feel like a holiday: Join a fun, driven team where work feels like a holiday. Our people take every opportunity to takeoff together and find ways to help their teammates soar.
There’s a place for everyone at Jetstar: For us, travel and meeting new people go hand in hand. We invite our people to get involved in various Employee Network Groups that play an important role in creating our inclusive and supportive culture that we are fiercely proud of. We believe that teams with a diversity of ideas and experiences are more creative, innovative and solve problems quickly. We welcome applications from anyone who wants to takeoff with us. If you have support or access requirements, just reach out and let us know what you need.
We’re Jetstar. Let’s takeoff together.
Applications close on Sunday 22nd March 2026.
