AFLW Stakeholder Growth & Engagement 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 growing AFLW’s influence, reputation and long-term sustainability by building a strong base of advocates who actively champion, invest in and amplify the competition.

As AFLW Stakeholder Growth & Engagement Lead, you will turn belief in AFLW into advocacy and action, strengthening relationships across community, business, philanthropy and broader society. You will position AFLW as essential to back, not just a competition to follow, and design pathways that move stakeholders from interest to meaningful, long-term support.

What you’ll own

This role is focused on building advocacy, strengthening stakeholder relationships and expanding AFLW’s influence.

You’ll add value through:

• Developing and maintaining a compelling AFLW advocacy value proposition, positioning AFLW as the competition to champion and invest in
• Identifying priority advocacy audiences and designing tailored engagement approaches
• Building and stewarding a strong network of AFLW advocates, including W champions, business and community leaders, and philanthropic supporters
• Expanding AFLW’s sphere of influence beyond traditional AFL stakeholders
• Designing and supporting delivery of high-value advocacy and engagement experiences that deepen connection to AFLW and motivate action
• Ensuring advocacy activity is purposeful, differentiated and aligned to AFLW growth priorities
• Supporting the growth of philanthropic, wills and bequest pathways through a planned, long-term engagement approach
• Maintaining strong relationship hygiene, ensuring AFLW is seen as trusted, values-led and well coordinated
• Gathering stakeholder insights and feeding them into broader AFLW Growth planning

Our ideal candidate

You are a proven, relationship-led operator who knows how to build belief across stakeholder bases and translate it into actionable plans. You have the skills to design strategies that ignite stakeholders through engagement activities, including briefing for PR, communications and agency teams. You bring credibility, warmth and strategic judgement, and are comfortable working in complex stakeholder environments across industry, community, business and government.

What you’ll bring

• Demonstrated experience in stakeholder engagement, advocacy, partnerships, philanthropy or purpose-led growth roles
• Proven ability to build trust and influence stakeholders without formal authority
• Strong experience engaging with senior stakeholders across business, community, government or not-for-profit sectors
• Ability to translate strategy into clear positioning, storytelling and engagement plans
• Experience designing and delivering tailored stakeholder or advocacy experiences
• Strong communication skills, including briefing for PR, communications or agency teams
• Ability to work effectively in complex, multi-stakeholder environments
• Sound judgement and ability to prioritise effectively
• A collaborative and outcomes-focused approach
• A clear understanding of, or connection to, the impact and potential of women’s sport

What success looks like in the role:

• AFLW has a visible and active advocacy base that is growing in size, influence and diversity.
• Stakeholders are not only engaged, but actively championing AFLW through voice, networks and support.
• AFLW’s reputation as a leading elite women’s sport and social impact platform continues to strengthen.
• Clear progress is being made towards long-term philanthropic and advocacy-led funding goals.
• AFLW is seen as a desirable, values aligned cause to be connected to.

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