SUMMARY

Croquet Australia is the national governing body for croquet and gateball in Australia, representing a vibrant, volunteer-powered network of clubs and State Associations. As we enter an exciting new phase of growth and reform, we are seeking a visionary and inclusive General Manager (GM) to lead our sport into the future.

The GM will be responsible for executing the organisation’s strategic plan, fostering engagement across a diverse membership base, and elevating croquet's profile nationally. A key focus of this role is building relationships, strengthening communication, and uniting a community that spans generations and geographies.

LEADERSHIP MISSION

The GM will lead with clarity, empathy, and inspiration to unite our diverse, largely volunteer-led player community. This role demands a visible, proactive leader who can build trust across all stakeholder groups, foster collaboration, and lead strategic growth and innovation to elevate croquet nationally.

The General Manager will be responsible for the following key areas:  

OPERATIONS 

• Full oversight of all the activities of Croquet Australia. This includes sporting activities, administrative activities, event management and the day-to-day running of Croquet Australia.  
• Manage and direct volunteer appointed officers.  
• Maintain full compliance with all relevant statutory legislation, including Australian Sports Commission, employment, health and safety and licensing.  
• Ensure that there is a risk management framework in place so that risk is assessed, reviewed, mitigated, and sufficiently insured.  
• Produce regular reports for the Board on financial performance, membership and human resources.  
• Oversee the care and maintenance of all resources of Croquet Australia.  
• Lead staff to meet the requirements for all Association activities, ensuring that defined KPI’s are met.  
• Maintain up-to-date professional knowledge and awareness of the sports industry by using publications, personal and professional networks, and benchmarking against best practice.  

LEADERSHIP

• Proactively engage and build trusted relationships across the Croquet community, including State Associations, Clubs, and members. Use clear, consistent communication to unite stakeholders around shared goals.
• Provide staffing succession plans for all staff and appointed official positions.  
• Recruit, induct and monitor team members as required.  
• Perform regular performance reviews for all staff.  
• Ensure that all staff have appropriate opportunities to develop skills, knowledge and experience to enhance their individual skills.  
• Oversee the provision of ongoing education and training for all staff members.  
• Lead a national engagement plan to regularly consult with and listen to members, ensuring their input shapes national direction
• Address large gatherings of members eg. at Annual General meetings and Events.? 
• Provide reports and updates to all State leaders, Appointed Officials, Board Appointed Sub Committee(s) and Event Organising Host Committees.   

FINANCES

• Ensure the financial stability of the Organisation through the adoption of sound financial management principles.  
• Ensure the Association is run as efficiently as possible and to the standards set by the Board.  
• Develop and enhance financial reporting capacity to ensure the Board and its relevant sub-committees are up to date with the Association’s financial position.  
• Implement and develop the national database systems to provide financial and participation information in the necessary reporting and forecasting formats. 
• Work with the Finance, Audit and Risk Management Committee to set annual budgets.  
• Monitor performance against operating budgets and take prompt and appropriate action to address variances to ensure that each operating area achieves agreed KPI’s.  
• Responsible for the prompt reporting of any issues that may impact the financial position of the Association.  

STRATEGY  

• Champion innovation and strategic foresight, identifying and pursuing initiatives that will grow the game, attract new demographics, and position Croquet Australia as a leading voice in sport for all ages
• Provide the operational direction to achieve the agreed strategies by the leadership of the management group.  Including the development of operational plans to support the implementation of the overall strategic plan.  
• Provide advice to the Board on the development of volunteer pathways (officials, players, and events) to improve participation in these pathways.  
• Create and manage change to pathways through consultation and communication, with structured implementation plans.     
• Remain up to date with key changes in the environment and the community to identify new business opportunities and challenges.    

MARKETING AND CUSTOMER SERVICE

• Engage and be visible with the membership to ensure that member satisfaction is understood and delivered.  
• Monitor customer/member satisfaction to ensure that all teams across the operation deliver excellent service.  
• Develop a coordinated marketing strategy to promote the sport of croquet to external stakeholders and to promote the opportunities within croquet to internal stakeholders  
• Identify and develop innovative programs and value-added services for all activities of the Organisation, including croquet events and tournaments, social events, and external functions.  
• Ensure that all promotional events are properly structured and resourced.  
• Communicate effectively with external organisations, individuals, and agencies.  

VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENT AND CULTURE

• Build a positive, inclusive organisational culture that recognises and supports the essential role of volunteers in delivering croquet across Australia.
• Develop recognition and development programs to retain and motivate volunteers at all levels.
• Identify gaps and create support structures to reduce the administrative burden on volunteers, enabling them to focus on 

For further information and what we seek "About You" please download the accompanying PD