Participation Growth Manager - Country

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 Participation Growth Manager – Regional Victoria plays an important role in growing participation across community football by helping more people connect with and stay involved in the game.

This role is a 12-Month Maximum Term Contract.

Working across Regional Victoria, this role is responsible for driving participation outcomes across Auskick, Superkick, Community Football and NINES. You will work closely with AFL Victoria, leagues, clubs and other stakeholders to identify opportunities, develop evidence-based plans and support the delivery of programs that increase participation and strengthen local football communities.

This opportunity is ideally suited to someone with a strong understanding of the Regional Victorian sporting landscape.

What you’ll own

This role is focused on identifying opportunities for growth, supporting informed decision-making and delivering participation outcomes across Regional Victoria.

You’ll add value through:

• Building and maintaining productive relationships with AFL Victoria, community leagues, clubs and key stakeholders to support participation growth.
• Developing and supporting local participation plans across Victorian LGAs, aligning products, delivery approaches and workforce requirements to community needs.
• Establishing, monitoring and reporting against participation targets and key performance indicators across schools, Auskick, Superkick, NINES and Community Football programs.
• Analysing participation data and trends to identify opportunities, risks and barriers impacting growth across community football.
• Monitoring participant pathways and transitions between programs to support long-term engagement in the game.
• Preparing clear and insightful reports that identify emerging issues, explain underlying drivers and inform decision-making.
• Managing program budgets and resources to support the achievement of agreed participation outcomes.
• Contributing evidence and insights that support advocacy for participation initiatives across AFL Victoria.
• Acting as a subject matter expert on participation programs and providing guidance to stakeholders across the football ecosystem.
• Contributing to strategic and operational projects that support the broader objectives of AFL Victoria and the AFL.
• Supporting the success of the wider team through collaboration, knowledge sharing and a commitment to collective outcomes.

What you’ll bring

• Demonstrated experience in a participation, sport development, community sport or related role.
• Strong experience developing and implementing plans that deliver measurable participation outcomes.
• Ability to analyse data, identify trends and translate insights into practical actions and recommendations.
• Experience establishing and monitoring targets, KPIs and performance outcomes.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills with the ability to build productive relationships across a diverse network.
• Sound understanding of participation drivers, barriers and retention strategies within community sport.
• Experience managing program budgets and resources effectively.
• Strong written, verbal, presentation and negotiation skills.
• Proven ability to manage competing priorities and deliver outcomes in a dynamic environment.
• Experience working collaboratively across teams and with volunteer-based organisations.
• Strong administration skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
• Demonstrated initiative, sound judgement and a proactive approach to problem-solving.
• Understanding of cost-benefit analysis and the development of business cases, targets and budgets.
• Degree in Sport Management, Business or a related discipline, or equivalent experience (desirable).
• Knowledge of AFL Victoria participation programs and the broader community sport landscape (desirable).

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

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 3 July 2026