About American Football Australia

American Football Australia (AFA) is the governing body for American football in Australia. We are committed to promoting both Tackle and Flag Football, developing, and growing the sport across the nation. We work with the Australian Sports Commission, local clubs, schools, and other organisations to create opportunities for participation at all levels, from grassroots to elite competitions.

About the role

The Athlete Wellbeing & Engagement (AW&E) Lead will drive the development and delivery of the AFA Flag Football Wellbeing Operational Plan, supporting the holistic development of athletes within a high-performance environment.  

With Flag Football set to make its Olympic debut at the LA 2028 Games, this is a pivotal opportunity to play a key role in embedding wellbeing within the AFA Flag Football High Performance Strategy as we work towards international success.

Reporting to the High Performance Director, responsibilities will include;

• Leading and implementing of the AFA Wellbeing Operational Plan aligned with the High Performance Strategy.
• Develop a comprehensive wellbeing education framework that supports athletes’ personal and professional growth alongside their training and competition needs.
• Provide tailored, proactive support to athletes during high-risk periods and key transition points, including injury, non-selection, post competition, and life events.
• Empower athletes to develop high-performance behaviours to manage the demands of elite sport and life beyond competition.
• Influence high-performance decision-making by advising on athlete wellbeing at a strategic and operational level.
• Maintain contemporary knowledge of wellbeing, mental health, and social issues impacting high-performance athletes.
• Foster relationships with internal and external networks, ensuring athletes have access to suitable support services and resources.

About you

We are seeking a genuine and committed professional with the ability to build trust and deliver meaningful wellbeing initiatives in a high performance environment.

Ideally you will have:

• Tertiary qualifications or experience in a relevant field (e.g., psychology, social work, education counselling).
• Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing long-term strategies or learning frameworks.
• Case management and individualised support, including triage and referral processes.
• Knowledge of emerging issues for athletes and an ability to provide proactive programs to address these issues.
• Ability to build and maintain trust-based relationships with internal and external stakeholders to drive meaningful outcomes.
• A genuine passion for empowering individuals to thrive and develop.

American Football Australia is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, or age.

Position location

The successful candidate will ideally be located in Sydney.