Head of Finance Business Performance
Date: 24 Jul 2026
Location: Melbourne, Victoria, AU
Company: Australian Football League
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 AFL is looking for a Head of Finance and Business Performance to lead commercial and strategic finance partnering across the organisation.
Based at AFL House and reporting to the GM Finance, this senior finance leadership role will oversee the AFL’s business performance framework, including budgeting, forecasting, strategic business cases, long-term financial planning and executive performance reporting.
You will provide trusted commercial counsel to senior leaders, helping shape strategy, drive accountability, support disciplined investment decisions and strengthen financial performance across the AFL.
What you’ll own
You’ll lead the business performance and business partnering function, connecting financial insight, strategic planning and commercial discipline to support better decisions across the AFL.
You’ll add value through:
- Leading enterprise-wide commercial and strategic business partnering across key AFL portfolios, including Football Operations and AFLW, Commercial, Consumer and Technology, Game Development, corporate functions and club-related business analysis
- Providing clear financial insight, scenario analysis and commercial recommendations to support Executive and General Manager decision-making
- Owning and improving the AFL’s business performance reporting framework, including enterprise and divisional insights
- Leading annual budgeting, strategic planning, rolling forecasts, scenario modelling and variance analysis
- Owning the long-term financial plan and supporting investment prioritisation and capital allocation decisions aligned to AFL strategic objectives
- Preparing and presenting monthly AFL management results, clearly articulating key drivers, trends, risks and opportunities
- Leading Quarterly Business Reviews that support performance, accountability and informed commercial conversations
- Preparing high-quality financial materials for senior forums, including Executive, Audit and Risk, and Commission where required
- Championing cost discipline, efficiency and value optimisation across the AFL
- Ensuring financial impacts are clearly understood and embedded in strategic initiatives and business cases
- Leading and developing a high-performing business performance and business partnering team
- Contributing as a visible leader within the AFL Finance Leadership Team, role-modelling professionalism, integrity and strong collaboration
What you’ll bring
- CPA or Chartered Accountant qualification
- Minimum 8 to 10 years’ experience in finance, with experience working in large finance teams
- Strong capability in financial planning, budgeting, forecasting and analysis
- Experience preparing and presenting robust reporting for Executive and Commission-level forums
- Strong commercial acumen, with the ability to translate complex financial information into clear, actionable insights
- Proven ability to partner effectively with senior leaders and cross-functional teams
- Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels
- Sound decision-making and problem-solving skills
- Ability to identify and drive change, with a commitment to continuous improvement
- Strong leadership and people management capability, with experience building and leading high-performing teams
- High levels of integrity, professionalism and attention to detail
- Desirable experience with Dynamics 365 and Workday Adaptive
- Desirable experience or knowledge of stadium or sporting administration environments
- Desirable experience supporting or being involved in an accounting system change
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 Friday 21 August 2026.