Participation Lead - Greater Sydney South
Date: 16 Jul 2026
Location: Sydney, New South Wales, 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
This role plays a key part in growing and strengthening Australian Football across Greater Sydney by delivering engaging, high-quality participation experiences.
As Participation Lead, you will implement and execute participation programs that connect communities to the game, supporting growth, retention and transition across all levels of participation.
You will also provide guidance and support to team members to ensure consistent and professional delivery across the region.
What you’ll own
You will drive the delivery and growth of participation programs across Greater Sydney, ensuring a strong focus on quality, consistency and participant experience.
You’ll add value through:
- Implementing growth, transition and retention strategies across participation products including NAB AFL Auskick, School Programming, Junior Football, AFL NINES and NAB Superkick
- Developing and delivering a local participation strategy to support sustainable growth in the region
- Leading quality control measures to ensure consistent, high-standard program delivery
- Supporting the delivery and execution of participation programs and events
- Driving initiatives that enhance program quality and overall participant experience
- Training, mentoring and supporting team members to achieve strong performance and engagement
- Building effective relationships with junior community clubs and community football staff to strengthen pathways and retention
- Contributing to broader team projects that support participation outcomes
- Executing national participation strategies at a local level
What you’ll bring
- Experience leading, coaching or mentoring others to deliver high-quality outcomes
- Strong problem-solving capability with a practical and solutions-focused approach
- Experience using technology and CRM systems to support delivery and engagement
- Strong organisational and planning skills with the ability to work autonomously
- Capability to build and maintain effective relationships with stakeholders, volunteers and community clubs
- Clear and confident communication skills across a range of audiences
- Ability to remain adaptable and composed while managing competing priorities and change
- Sound knowledge of and commitment to Australian Football
- A valid Working with Children Check (or ability to obtain) and current Driver’s Licence
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 July 2026