Role: National Talent Pathway Manager – Softball Australia

Location: Hybrid – Softball Australia Head Office – Albert Park

Head Office: Sports House – Albert Park, Victoria

Direct Reports: National Events Coordinator

Softball Australia – About the Organisation

Softball Australia (SA) is the National Sporting Organisation (NSO) for the sport and has eight member States and Territories across the country. There are over 23,000 members and over 100K+ players in Australia ranging from grassroots through to elite talent.

SA has recently launched its new five-year strategic plan with a vision that softball is for everybody and inspiring heroes on the world stage. Our purpose is to promote and develop a thriving and attractive national sport that builds friendships, community, and elite skills to successfully compete. We do well, we do good, and we have fun!

As part of the new strategy, we have four key priorities of People, Play, Promote and Perform. At SA, our values include, Unified, Respect, Creative & Brave and Fun.

We exist for our members and govern the sport to ensure safe, inclusive, and respectful environments at all levels. Under the Perform pillar of Softball Australia’s strategic plan, our goal is to cultivate world-class athletes and systems that drive sustained success on the global stage. This involves developing rigorous high-performance pathways, fostering an environment of continuous improvement, and utilizing data-driven methodologies to enhance athlete performance. Central to this effort is the alignment with the AIS Win Well strategy, which emphasizes holistic athlete well-being, ethical conduct, and collaborative innovation. We strive to create a culture where athletes not only achieve podium finishes at major international competitions but also thrive personally and professionally, embodying the values of honesty, integrity, and fairness. Through unified efforts, respect for the game, and a fun yet ambitious approach, we aim to inspire and equip our athletes to excel and become heroes on the world stage.

Softball Australia is an equal opportunity employer committed to equity, diversity, and social inclusion.

The Role

Softball Australia is seeking a dynamic and strategic National Talent Pathway Manager to lead the implementation of key elements of our High-Performance Pathway Strategy. With a strong focus on talent identification, athlete development, and pathway alignment, this role will drive the discovery and growth of high-potential athletes across the country.

Reporting to the National High-Performance Director, the NTPM will develop and deliver operational plans that support a consistent and sustainable pipeline of elite talent. Key priorities include enhancing national battery pathways, leading talent ID initiatives, and supporting high-performance projects, all aligned to Softball Australia’s Athlete Development Framework (ADF). This role is vital to achieving our performance goals on the road to the 2027 World Cup, LA 2028, and Brisbane 2032.

Key Focus Areas

Talent Identification – Design and lead a nationally aligned Talent ID program to discover and develop future elite athletes across all states and territories.

Battery Development – Deliver structured programs to identify and accelerate the growth of high-potential pitchers and catchers within the performance pathway.

Pathway Integration – Oversee the alignment of state and national development programs with Softball Australia’s Athlete Development Framework (ADF).

Event & Project Leadership – Manage talent ID events, national battery camps, and national events programming while supporting high-performance projects.

Stakeholder Engagement – Collaborate with key internal and external partners including the AIS, state bodies, pathway coaches, selectors, and the wider softball community.

What We Are Looking For

We’re seeking a passionate and strategic pathway leader with:

• Tertiary qualifications and/or experience in sport management, coaching, sport science, or a related field.
• Experience designing and implementing athlete development or talent ID programs in a sporting environment.
• Familiarity with data-driven performance models and systems to support talent tracking and development.
• Strong leadership, stakeholder engagement, and people management skills.
• Proven experience coordinating multidisciplinary teams and high-performance projects.
• Exceptional communication skills and the ability to thrive in a collaborative, fast-paced environment.

Experience in softball is not essential, but a passion for sport and athlete development is a must.