Chief Executive Officer

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Position Description

Position Title: Chief Executive Officer
Reports to: Board of Directors, Mildura Airport Pty Ltd

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES

The CEO will provide strategic and operational leadership for Mildura Airport Pty Ltd (MAPL), overseeing day-to-day operations and ensuring short and long-term objectives are met. The CEO will maintain high standards of safety and compliance, aviation and community stakeholder engagement, customer satisfaction, and financial performance while guiding the organisation through its next phase of growth in close consultation with the Board and MAPL’s single shareholder, Mildura Rural City Council (MRCC).

DIRECT REPORTS

The CEO will manage a leadership team, including:

• Chief Financial Officer
• Commerce and Property Manager
• Head of Operations.

MAPL employs 24 staff across airside and landside operations.

2025 Management and Staff Structure

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Operational Leadership: Oversee efficient airport operations, ensuring alignment with governance, compliance and regulatory standards. Foster a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.
• Financial Management: Manage finances, ensuring budgets are adhered to and financial goals met. Lead financial planning, forecasting and reporting to the Board.
• Stakeholder Engagement and Management: Proactively build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, ensuring their needs and expectations align with the airport’s strategic objectives. Foster collaborative partnerships that support the airport’s growth, reputation, and community engagement.
• Customer-Centric Culture: Maintain a customer-focused approach, ensuring satisfaction and positive relationships with all consumers associated with MAPL.
• Safety and Security: Prioritise safety and compliance with aviation regulations and workplace health and safety standards.
• Strategic Planning: Develop and execute strategic and operational plans, ensuring goals are achieved and plans adjusted as needed.
• Risk and Compliance: Ensure risk management systems are in place, with risks identified and appropriately mitigated in line with the Board’s risk appetite. Compliance with all regulatory requirements.
• Leadership: Lead and develop a strong senior management team, ensuring staff training, development, and succession planning.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Act as the primary representative, building strong relationships with MRCC, State and Federal government representatives, aviation industry, and community partners.
• Governance and Board Engagement: Provide regular updates and strategic insights to the Board, ensuring effective planning, decision-making and collaboration.

OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT

• Set high-performance standards and implement safe and efficient operational processes aligned with industry best practices.

PEOPLE AND LEADERSHIP

• Inspire and motivate staff, foster a culture of accountability, innovation, inclusion and high performance.

INNOVATION AND CHANGE MANAGEMENT

• Identify and implement solutions to improve efficiency, safety, and customer value. Lead change initiatives smoothly.

ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

• Champion sustainability initiatives and ensure compliance with environmental regulations.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Must demonstrate senior management or executive leadership in the aviation industry, experience in airport operations is desirable.
• Proven capability to lead teams and improve their performance over time.
• Experience developing operational plans aligned to organisational strategic plans.
• Strong financial acumen, budgeting, and governance expertise.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement skills and knowledge of aviation safety and compliance and regulatory standards.
• Project delivery experience in runway design and development is highly desirable.

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

• Strategic thinker with a focus on results and continuous improvement.
• Collaborative and adaptable leader capable of thriving in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills with diverse stakeholders in both the aviation sector and community.

This role requires an experienced, leader committed to safety, operational effectiveness, stakeholder engagement, customer satisfaction, and growth, playing a critical role in the success of Mildura Airport while maintaining community ties and industry best practices.

Further Information

Our Purpose Statement

To be an efficient, effective and sustainable air transport service hub for the Sunraysia Community.

Our Values

• Safety First
• Our People
• Professional
• Community focused
• Innovative
• Solution focused.

Pre employment assessments

All staff are subject to Drug and Alcohol Program (DAMP) obligations.

Remuneration package

An attractive salary package will be negotiated with the successful candidate.

Application Requirements

Applications should be submitted by email and addressed to:

Chair

Mildura Airport

marcusjfguthrie@gmail.com

Applications should provide the following information:

• Covering letter that addresses the key responsibilities, skills, experience and attributes (maximum 4 pages)
• Resume (maximum 3 pages).

Recruitment Process

As a guide, the expected timeframe for the recruitment process is as follows:

• Closing date: Applications Close: Thursday 24 April 2025
• Interviews: Early to mid-May 2025
  • Initial shortlist screening will be virtual
  • Final interview will be face to face in Mildura and will include a tour of the facilities
  • Preferred candidate will be invited to meet the Board prior to final appointment.
• Pre-employment process: Late May 2025
• Candidates notified of outcome: June 2025.

For further information on this recruitment process, please contact Marcus Guthrie MAPL Board Chair on 0409 984 333.