Government Relations 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

As Government Relations Manager, you will help shape how the AFL engages with government and key external stakeholders to support the future of the game and strengthen the AFL’s social licence to operate. This role plays an important part in influencing public policy, managing regulatory risks and opportunities, and progressing strategic priorities across the organisation.

You will support the AFL’s government relations agenda while also leading the development and delivery of the AFL’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy and portfolio. You will work across a complex stakeholder environment, partnering with internal leaders, government representatives, regulators, industry bodies and community organisations.

What you’ll own

This role combines strategic engagement with hands-on delivery across government relations and corporate social responsibility initiatives. You will help position the AFL as a trusted and influential stakeholder while driving meaningful community impact outcomes.

You’ll add value through:

• Supporting the execution of the AFL’s Government Relations strategy
• Contributing to the development of policy positions that support the aspirations of the AFL and the broader AFL community
• Preparing government submissions, tenders and briefing materials in partnership with internal stakeholders
• Supporting the delivery of stakeholder engagement plans with policy makers, regulators and industry bodies
• Acting as a key operational contact for government and industry stakeholders
• Monitoring and identifying emerging policy, regulatory and reputational issues impacting the organisation
• Providing timely insights and advice to support informed organisational decision-making
• Leading the development and delivery of the AFL’s Corporate Social Responsibility strategy
• Managing the AFL’s CSR portfolio, including community partnerships and grant initiatives
• Measuring and reporting on CSR outcomes and community impact initiatives
• Collaborating across the business to align government relations and CSR activity with organisational priorities

What you’ll bring

• Relevant tertiary qualifications
• Significant experience (minimum 7 years) in government relations, public policy or political advisory environments
• Significant and demonstrated experience in a position of similar remit in a large, complex issues rich environment managing government relations, industry engagement and significant policy issues in a highly-regulated environment within Australia.
• Detailed understanding of the machinery of government, including direct experience at senior Departmental and Ministerial staffing level.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgement in complex, ambiguous and high-pressure environments.
• Outstanding networks and reputation established across and within both sides of State and Federal Governments.
• Extensive experience within government relations and advocacy, including within issues and reputation management frameworks.
• Strategic and day-to-day management of the government relations agenda to achieve and comply with deadlines.
• Demonstrated verbal communications skills, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to liaise and negotiate with and influence peers, senior management and other stakeholders within government and industry.
• Demonstrated ability to build strong, trusted relationships with Ministers, advisors, departments and regulators at all levels of government 
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines

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 31 May 2026