National Community Football Compliance & Operations Manager
Date: 31 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
Community football is where so many people first connect with our game, and this role helps strengthen the systems, standards and support that keep it safe, fair and well run across the country.
As National Community Football Compliance and Operations Manager, you will help lead national compliance and operations across local footy, umpiring, coaching and volunteering.
You will work closely with State and Territory teams, governing bodies and leagues to support consistent policy, practical resources, risk management and continuous improvement across the community football network.
What you’ll own
You will play a key role in supporting a nationally consistent, practical and well-governed approach to community football compliance and operations.
You’ll add value through:
- Leading the regular update of the National Community Football Policy Handbook, supporting clear, timely and nationally aligned policy guidance
- Working with State and Territory teams across local footy, coaching and umpiring to identify best practice and share it nationally
- Leading Game Development research requests on behalf of the AFL Research Board, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities and appropriate risk mitigation
- Managing the Game Development risk register, supporting comprehensive risk assessment and practical mitigation strategies
- Overseeing national compliance with policies and rules across local footy, coaching, umpiring and volunteering, in partnership with State and Territory teams and governing bodies
- Acting as a key point of contact for compliance issue management, supporting State and Territory teams and leagues to work through matters effectively
- Developing proactive resources and plans that help upskill the network on compliance, reportable matters and disciplinary processes
- Supporting the ongoing improvement of learning experiences across local footy, ensuring materials evolve in line with compliance reporting needs
- Assisting with day-to-day compliance matters and operational items across the community football network
- Contributing to key projects within and beyond the core role, helping the broader team deliver strong outcomes for the game
What you’ll bring
- Strong relationship-building experience, with the ability to work with and influence complex and high-profile stakeholders
- Experience supporting compliance management or governance in a complex environment
- The ability to interpret, implement and communicate policies and frameworks in a clear and practical way
- Experience managing and resolving compliance and operational matters
- Demonstrated ability to deliver outcomes across multiple streams of work
- Strategic thinking skills, with experience contributing to the development and implementation of strategic projects
- Sound judgement, care and integrity when handling sensitive or complex matters
- An understanding of community football, or similar community sport environments
- A collaborative approach, with the ability to work across teams, jurisdictions and stakeholder groups
- A continuous improvement mindset, including the ability to use technology and AI to improve how work is delivered
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.
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 14 August 2026