The Head of Participation & Community at Surfing Australia’s primary purpose is to lead the team to deliver the objective of growing an inclusive and active community through surfing & set the global benchmark for sport education. Ensuring we reach our potential in the five department prioritised drivers being:

1.  Boardrider Clubs
2. Coaching/Judging/Officiating
3. Surf Schools
4. Participation & inclusion programs - Female, First Nations & Para surfers
5. National CRM platform

This involves designing, delivering, evaluating & reporting on our drivers. The role is critical to growing the sport of surfing nationally. The role works closely with our 6 state associations to develop systems and processes to streamline and support the network in delivering a quality sport development pathway.

This role reports to the Chief Executive Officer and is based at Surfing Australia’s High-Performance Centre and HQ in Casuarina, NSW. 

 Monthly Domestic travel required

 Key Responsibilities:

• Grow surfing numbers & quality of experience for surfers in Australia
• To be part of the Surfing Australia leadership team contributing to the surfing Australia future strategy, total organisation objectives, support people’s development, values & culture
• Lead the P&C strategy & deliver the objectives each year – supporting the departments main 5 drivers - Boardrider Clubs, Surf Coaching, Judging & Officiating, Surf Schools, Participation & Inclusion programs & the National CRM platforms
• Preparation of annual P&C budgets and agreements
• Create all the Participation & Community inventory & benefits available for organisations in consultation with Head of Events & Partnerships. Execute those benefits with support of Partnerships & Media/marketing teams.
• Identify opportunities for increased government funding. Discover and secure grants for new P&C programs and initiatives or enhancements of current programs from councils, governments, tourists’ bodies and donors to enhance and grow SA P&C portfolio.
• Responsibilities include (in conjunction with Partnerships/Events & Marketing teams):
  • Manage Development/Delivery of all P&C collateral
  • Management of all pre & post P&C program logistics
  • Management of all P&C program operations
  • Management of P&C budgets
  • Management of P&C marketing to drive maximum participation.
  • Management of driving Local P&C program partnership sales & community engagement
  • Ensure States adhere to contracted program deliverables.
• Manage & support the system maintenance, operations & service of platforms that relate to Participation & Community to ensure efficient support and system usage including the Surfing Australia website, JustGO system, live heats, Sport Integrity & Data management including customer service requests.
• Create strong partnerships & alignment with the 6 State Associations to manage the Surf School and BRC network to achieve the following objectives:
  • Deliver the highest standards in participant/member and public safety.
  • Deliver exceptional customer experiences.
  • Demonstrate community-minded, ethical practices; and
  • Be a sustainable network of growing organisations and businesses.
• Manage a commercially focused program which creates new and larger revenue streams for   programs. SA and the States, particularly as it relates to Surf School s & Rewards program
• Oversee the SurfGroms program to achieve 8,000+ 5-12-year-olds through the program each year, including the following primary functions:
  • Manage the national marketing campaign.
  • Oversee and manage program compliance, administrative systems and processes to maximise operational efficiencies.
  • Oversee the operations of the SurfGroms warehouse to ensure efficient & timely delivery of packs to surf schools in a manner appropriate to their needs.
• Deliver an engaged SA BRC community & surf school network. Maintain and manage Surf School Licensing agreements between SA and State Branches included a quality surf school member program to service surf schools.
• Manage the development and maintenance of training and support tools and resources which  continue to raise the standard of program delivery within the surf school environment
• Maximise the Sporting Schools program benefits to ensure SurfGroms maintains a dominant place in the hearts and minds of schools across the country.
• Build a complete on brand fundraising program including with the Australian Sports Foundation (ASF) & Surf for life to drive an increase in philanthropic donations and oversee its delivery nationally.
• Manage and oversee compliance of the National Integrity Framework and the responsibility for communicating and embedding the National Integrity Framework and other NSO policies into all levels of the sport and our stakeholders. 
• Develop, implement and maintain a suite of benefits, systems and processes for the management of the boardrider club network within Australia, to raise the standard of delivery for members, collect and analyse insights and develop SA & State relationships with the network.
• Develop, maintain and implement a plan for the network’s engagement of Local Government associations nationally
• Lead a program of continual monitoring & improvement, while always protecting and developing the relationship with the wider surfing community and industry.
• Manage the international strategy for the delivery of content in conjunction with ISA
• Manage the Learning & development framework, content & support (Coaching, Judging and Officiating)
• Lead & manage our Boardriders Club affiliations ensuring a thriving network in Australia.
• Lead the national insurance policy for Surf Schools and Boardrider Clubs
• Oversee the reporting requirements to SIA (Sport Integrity Australia) & Sport Australia Participation including a participation plan
• Investigate the viability of new participation products that will improve the sport development pathway (e.g. Secondary Schools and Water Safety based initiatives)
• Attend and/or present at relevant industry conferences/events as Surfing Australia representative when required.
• Manage the Participation & Community Team by supporting individuals to achieve KPI’s
• Conduct performance appraisals and professional development plans for P&C Team

Key Attributes:

• 5+ years participation & community Management experience
• Passionate Surfer & Competed in surf events.
• 5+ years sales experience securing six figures plus partnership deals
• 5+ years securing government grants experience at the local & state level (federal preferred)
• Experience in managing/executing surfing events with 200+ competitors.
• Highly Competent and Experienced in member management software & systems
• Marketing & PR experience
• Foundation Coach/Judge preferred.
• Created & executed sports & business plan strategies.
• Managed teams of 5+ direct report employee
• Excellent business network in Australia
• Strong Government relationships
• Advanced in Microsoft office Suite (Excel, Powerpoint)
• Excellent understanding of Australian grants landscape
• Project Management expert
• Expert presentation skills - able to present powerfully & persuade large groups (30+), boards, government & surfers
• Member management expert
• Knowledgeable on Australian beaches, surf conditions & communities
• Knowledgeable on Australian Boardrider Clubs ideally a current member of a club

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

Surfing Australia is an equal opportunity employer who supports inclusive, flexible, and accessible working arrangements for all. This includes persons with disabilities, culturally, religiously, and linguistically diverse people, diverse age groups, diverse sexual orientation, and gender.