Corporate Affairs Manager

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 across the country through football. 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

The Corporate Affairs Manager plays an important role in supporting and protecting the reputation of the AFL across a broad range of organisational priorities and issues. Working closely with the CEO, Executive and wider business, this role helps ensure the AFL is proactive, prepared and aligned in how it communicates with key stakeholders, media and the broader community.

Reporting to the General Manager Corporate Affairs, you will lead communications activity and issues management across areas outside elite football, while also supporting broader organisational and reputational priorities as required. The role combines strategic planning, stakeholder engagement and hands-on delivery in a fast-paced and high-profile environment.

This is an opportunity for a senior corporate affairs professional to help shape messaging, support major organisational initiatives and contribute to the continued growth and reputation of Australia’s game.

What you’ll own

You will help drive a proactive, coordinated and effective approach to communications and reputation management across the AFL.

You’ll add value through:

• Leading corporate affairs and communications activity on key organisational issues, opportunities and challenges outside elite football
• Supporting the CEO and AFL Commission with media opportunities, communication planning, messaging and briefing materials
• Ensuring high-quality communications materials and briefings are prepared accurately and delivered on time
• Partnering with senior leaders across the organisation to support communication approaches on emerging issues and opportunities
• Supporting the development and delivery of corporate affairs strategies aligned to the AFL’s strategic priorities
• Developing proactive communication approaches and narratives that strengthen stakeholder understanding and engagement
• Managing issues and reputational matters in a timely, considered and effective way
• Supporting the development of clear and engaging content across communication channels for key business initiatives and decisions
• Providing speech writing and communications support to the CEO, Executive and Commission as required
• Advising clubs, state bodies and partners on issues management and corporate affairs opportunities
• Undertaking research and gathering insights to support communication and policy outcomes
• Collaborating closely with internal communications and media teams to coordinate announcements and media activity across the business

What you’ll bring

• Extensive experience (min 10 years) in corporate affairs, communications or media within the AFL industry or a similarly high-profile environment
• Strong experience in news, editorial and issues management
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement strategic corporate affairs and communication plans
• Experience supporting senior executives with communications, messaging and stakeholder engagement
• Strong understanding of reputation management and brand risk considerations
• Highly developed written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing speeches, briefings and key messages
• Strong stakeholder management capability, with the ability to collaborate and influence across a broad range of audiences
• Understanding of media requirements across digital, print, radio, television and social channels
• Experience managing media and broadcast relationships across multiple platforms
• Ability to identify emerging issues and opportunities and respond with sound judgement and strategic thinking
• Understanding of audience engagement across social and online communication channels
• Knowledge of the football industry and the broader operating environment will be highly regarded
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, evolving and high-pressure environment
• High levels of professionalism, discretion and integrity

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 a culture of belonging and 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.

Whether you’re a footy fan or new to our game, we welcome everyone to apply. We know great candidates don’t always tick every box – if this role excites you, we encourage you to apply, even if your experience doesn’t perfectly match the job description.

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: 25 May 2026