AFLW Innovation & Investment Growth Lead

Join the team shaping the future of Australia’s game.

This is your chance to do work that has real impact, in an organisation that moves fast, aims high and plays a meaningful role in the lives of millions. Every role at the AFL helps progress the game, so more people can love it, connect with it and see what is possible through it.

The opportunity

This role is central to strengthening the long-term sustainability and independence of AFLW by unlocking new, non-traditional revenue and investment opportunities.

As AFLW Innovation & Investment Growth Lead, you will identify, develop and convert a pipeline of funding and non‑commercial partnership opportunities beyond traditional sponsorship, including government, philanthropic, private investment, family offices and not‑for‑profit organisations. You will be responsible for shaping and developing innovative AFLW initiatives and assets that can be taken to market by the AFL Commercial team. Working across AFLW Growth, Strategy, Commercial and Corporate Affairs, you will connect AFLW’s purpose, product and communities to meaningful investment and long-term value.

What you’ll own

This role focuses on building new revenue pathways and positioning AFLW as a platform for long-term investment.

You’ll add value through:

• Developing non-traditional revenue opportunities using creativity and strong commercial insight
• Building and managing a clear pipeline of funded programs and investment partnerships outside traditional sponsorship models
• Identifying and assessing market opportunities across government, philanthropic, private investment and not-for-profit sectors
• Shaping and developing new AFLW initiatives and commercial assets for market through the AFL Commercial team
• Providing market insight and feedback to inform stakeholder, product, fan and growth decisions
• Working closely with AFLW Growth, Strategy, Corporate Affairs, Commercial, Marketing and Fan Growth teams to align opportunities with strategy and delivery capability
• Building trusted relationships across internal teams including Digital, Content and Clubs to support successful delivery
• Influencing cross-functional stakeholders to align around new revenue opportunities and drive progression from concept to execution
• Supporting stakeholder engagement with government and philanthropic partners to enable funding outcomes aligned to AFLW priorities

What you’ll bring

• Demonstrated experience in identifying and developing new revenue or investment opportunities
• Strong commercial acumen, including business analysis and modelling capability
• Experience working across strategy, innovation, growth or project environments
• Proven ability to build and manage relationships with senior stakeholders and partners
• Experience working with or across government, philanthropic, CSR or not-for-profit sectors
• Ability to translate insight and strategy into tangible initiatives and outcomes
• Experience working cross-functionally and aligning diverse teams toward shared goals
• Strong judgement and ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments
• Clear communication skills with the ability to articulate ideas, opportunities and value
• A collaborative and delivery-focused approach to work

Our ideal candidate

You are a commercially astute with a strong instinct for opportunity and value creation, and proven capability in business analysis and modelling. You have experience working at the intersection of strategy, innovation, growth and project management, with the ability to translate insight and ambition into tangible outcomes. Your strength is in identifying and unlocking value and revenue in philanthropic, government, CSR and NFP sectors. You are a relationship builder who combines strong commercial capability with warmth, judgement and creativity

What success looks like in the role

A healthy, visible pipeline of AFLW-aligned new revenue projects is established and actively progressing.
Developed and ongoing new revenue streams for AFLW outside of partnership revenue generated by the Commercial Sales team
Strong conversion of partnership opportunities through the Commercial team, with clear attribution to projects and initiatives led by this role
AFLW’s commercial positioning supports long-term sustainability, not just short-term revenue.

Why you’ll love being on our team

At the AFL, you will be part of a values-led team that aims high, backs each other and brings energy, care and integrity to work that matters. This is a place where people play to win, play as one team and play with passion, while always staying grounded in fairness, inclusion and respect. We work hard, support each other and create the conditions for our people to grow, perform and thrive.

What you can look forward to:

• Play The Day Your Way, our flexible approach to working life, built to support you on game day and every day
• My Development, with coaching, mentoring, on-the-job learning and formal development to help you keep building your game
• Play Well, our health and wellbeing programme designed to support a healthy body, healthy mind and healthy workplace
• My Benefits, giving you access to a range of partner offers and discounts through our AFL Corporate Partners
• AFL Silver Memberships for permanent team members, so you can enjoy the action at Marvel Stadium and the MCG with family and friends
• 6 months paid primary parental leave with no qualification period for permanent team members

Everyone has a place here

Our game brings people together, and we want our workplace to do the same. We are committed to building an environment where people feel respected, included and able to thrive, and where diversity of background, experience and perspective makes us stronger.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are encouraged to apply.

The AFL is committed to promoting and protecting the safety and wellbeing of children and young people in our care. Please note, we undertake several screening processes to ensure this commitment is upheld, this includes ensuring the successful candidate to this position holds a valid employee Working with Children/ Vulnerable People check and a satisfactory criminal history record check.

Ready to play your part?

Applications close 24 May 2026