Victorian Talent High Performance Lead (Country/Metro)
Date: 2 Sept 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 - two positions available
We are looking for two Victorian High Performance Leads to help deliver a safe, consistent and high-performing physical development system across Victoria’s talent pathway.
Based in Melbourne and reporting to the National High Performance Manager, each role will provide leadership to Talent League high performance staff, oversee the physical preparation of State Academy athletes and ensure programs, performance data and delivery partners operate in alignment with AFL standards and frameworks.
Both positions are fulltime and fixed term until October 2028. One role will have a stronger focus on the Country regions, while the other will focus on the Metro regions. As part of the application process, you will be asked to indicate whether you prefer the Country role, the Metro role or would be open to either opportunity.
What you’ll own
You will lead the delivery of high performance practices across your allocated Country or Metro talent pathway, strengthening athlete development and creating greater consistency across programs.
You’ll add value through:
- Leading and governing high performance practices across the allocated Country or Metro talent pathway
- Ensuring programs align with AFL standards, frameworks and physical development priorities
- Providing leadership, mentoring and support to regional high performance staff
- Building capability, consistency and accountability across Talent League and State Academy programs
- Overseeing the physical development, preparation and performance support of athletes
- Leading athlete testing, monitoring and performance reporting, including GPS, physical testing and athlete management platforms
- Coordinating State Academy programs, Talent League testing and State and National Combine activities
- Building trusted partnerships with regional programs, coaches, medical providers, schools, clubs and external service providers
- Working with the National High Performance Manager and Victorian High Performance network to deliver a connected and consistent athlete development pathway
- Supporting safe, compliant and well-governed high performance services, including child safety and risk management requirements
What you’ll bring
- Demonstrated experience leading high performance, athlete development or physical preparation programs within a talent pathway, academy or elite sporting environment
- Strong knowledge of long-term athlete development, strength and conditioning, physical preparation and performance support for developing athletes
- Experience leading, mentoring and influencing high performance practitioners across multiple program or environments
- The ability to implement and govern frameworks, systems and processes that support consistent outcomes
- Experience using athlete monitoring, GPS, physical testing and athlete management systems to inform decision-making
- Highly developed communication, stakeholder engagement and relationship management capability
- The ability to build effective partnerships with coaches, medical staff, schools, clubs and external providers
- Sound judgement and a commitment to athlete wellbeing, child safety, integrity and high-quality delivery
- A collaborative approach that supports alignment across Country, Metro and National high performance teams
- A relevant tertiary qualification in Sport Science, Exercise Science, Human Movement or a related discipline
- ASCA Professional Level 2 accreditation is highly regarded
- A master’s degree in Exercise Science or an equivalent discipline is 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 program 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, including ensuring the successful candidates hold a valid employee Working with Children/Vulnerable People check and satisfactory criminal history record check.
Ready to play your part?
Applications close 17 September 2026