Since 2017, Minerva has been breaking barriers for Australian sportswomen. Founded by a passionate group of professional women, we connect top performing female athletes with experienced mentors who understand the unique pressures of competing at the highest level both on and off the field. Beyond mentoring, we offer comprehensive programs including learning and development, careers connect, amplify your story, and much more. Our newest initiative places qualified women in sports governance boardrooms, ensuring female voices shape the future of Australian sport.

With a network spanning most States and Territories our goal is to transform the entire sports landscape. We are growing our presence in South Australia and need a motivated self-starter who is passionate about making a real difference for women in sport long term.

The role of Program Manager - SA will be responsible for the delivery of the core Minerva Program (athlete mentorship, personal and professional development, careers, networking) for the newly formed SA Chapter.  This is a great role for a highly professional candidate with a passion for promoting and advancing professional sportswomen in Australia, who has strong connections within the sports industry, stakeholder relationship management and understands the day to day challenges facing our athletes.

Heading into 2026 the Program Manager has the opportunity to work with the Program Director to review, develop and deliver our new strategy, with regards to recent growth and needs of the 1,000 athletes. Performance will be measured by achievement of Minerva’s growth targets within SA, delivery of programs and by demonstrated positive engagement within and with the network.

You will report into Executive Director. On a day to day basis you will work closely with the Program Director and SA Chapter Lead to deliver and achieve the Minerva Network goals. You will have strong interaction with State Chapter Leads, Council and pro bono resources.

Primary Duties

• Management and delivery of the Minerva Network Athlete Programs in SA:
  • Athlete mentorship
  • Athlete networking
  • Athlete professional and personal development, including new programs as they are launched
• This includes:
  • Delivery of athlete and mentor recruitment plans; and any particular sport or competition specific programs;
  • Development and delivery of two specific local engaging events;
  • Development and delivery of two local informal networking opportunities per year;
  • Development and delivery of one hybrid event as part of the Minerva national program (in conjunction with Program Director / Program Manager - QLD /SA as appropriate) per year;
  • Day to day engagement with athletes, mentors and sporting organisations;
  • Management of key relationships in national and state based sporting organisations (aligned with state responsibilities and / or as determined as appropriate with Program Director);
  • Liaison with and management of Minerva Network State Chapter Leader in SA
  • Preparation of quarterly reporting to the Women in Sport Taskforce and reporting to the Office of Recreation, Sport and Racing in SA
  • Representation of Minerva Network at local industry events and awards
  • Development and delivery of engagement and communication plans for the athlete and mentor network (e.g. monthly ‘Athlete Opportunity EDM’ , event invitations or other comms directly related to athlete or mentorship recruitment)
  • Supporting the development of strategic plans, yearly operational plan and budget; and athlete and mentor recruitment plans alongside Program Director;
  • Effective day to day use of available technologies
• Delivery and expansion of the Minerva Careers Connect program in conjunction with National Program Director (a new program connecting athletes with meaningful paid flexible employment opportunities within the Network)
• Preparation of Council reporting, weekly/quarterly WIP and other ad hoc reporting
• Support marketing team as needed (ie. Providing timetable of events, providing photos or bullet point summaries to the marketing team, or reviewing content)

Essential Skills and Attributes

• Commitment to and passion for the Minerva vision;
• Strong understanding of mentorship, networking and delivery of learning and development programs for professional female athletes;
• Strong relationship building and management skills;
• Demonstrated ability to lead initiatives / programs;
• Ability to prioritise and manage multiple deadlines;
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills;
• Ability to work automonously and collaboratively within a small team
• Ability to proactively problem solve to get ahead of potential issues / plan ahead;
• Ability to exercise diplomacy, discretion and sound judgement in dealing with confidential matters and high profile stakeholders;
• Ability to manage a basic budget and engage small providers on an ad hoc basis (e.g. photographer)
• Flexibility relating to office hours, approach, working with a variety of tasks to working with others

Remuneration and Employment Details

This is a 12 month fixed-term, part-time position requiring 2 days per week (0.4 FTE). There is flexibility in how these days are structured.  The role require the candidate to be Adelaide-based to facilitate regular in-person collaboration with sporting organisations.