Purpose:

The Coach Development Manager is one of Northern NSW Football’s key technical leaders, responsible for taking coach education and coach development across the entire region to the next level. Reporting to the NNSWF Technical Director, this role sets the standard, drives the plan, and builds a connected coaching community, from the first time coach right through to elite pathway environments.

This is a high energy, get things done role. You will lead the full coach development system end to end, designing and delivering accredited courses, sharp face to face and online monthly workshops, mentoring, and targeted programs that genuinely shift coach capability. You will keep improving what we do, how we do it, and how coaches experience it, so the learning is consistent, modern, and high quality wherever coaches are based.

You will work closely with Football Australia, other Member Federations, and NNSWF Member Zones to stay aligned to national frameworks while making sure delivery fits the needs of Northern NSW. We are looking for an exceptional candidate with an AFC/UEFA Pro Licence and significant coach development leadership experience in a professional club or national or state federation environment.

Impact:

Coach Development Leadership and Planning:

• Lead coach development and coach education across Northern NSW Football, aligned to NNSWF Strategic and Operational Plans, and support the Technical Director to drive the broader technical strategy.
• Build and deliver an annual delivery plan that grows coaching pathways across grassroots, youth, talent, and high performance, using contemporary best practice, blended models, and smart digital delivery.

Delivery, Programs, and Coach Experience:

• Own the end to end delivery of Football Australia accredited courses, including the annual calendar, budget, staffing, venues, registrations, assessment alignment, quality control, and reporting, keeping the learner experience consistently first class.
• Design and deliver an attractive CPD program, including monthly face to face and online workshops, plus targeted initiatives that lift priority areas such as women and girls coaching, junior development, and emerging coach leaders.

Workforce, Pathways, and Talent:

• Build and lead a high performing network of Coach Developers, tutors, and assessors across the region through recruitment, mentoring, accreditation support, in service training, and performance monitoring.
• Aligned to the broader technical strategy, identify and support emerging coaches across zones, clubs, and pathway programs, providing practical mentoring and technical guidance that strengthens coach progression and player development outcomes.

Partnerships, Reporting, and Representation:

• Build strong working relationships with Member Zones, clubs, and coaching networks, and act as the main link to Football Australia and other Member Federations to keep delivery aligned, consistent, and connected nationally.
• Report clearly on participation, outcomes, trends, and improvement priorities, keep compliance tight, and represent NNSWF confidently in state and national coach education forums.

Deliverables:

Coach Development Delivery and Compliance:

• Deliver a high quality, region wide coach development program.
• Ensure alignment with Football Australia accreditation and technical frameworks.

Regional Strategy Implementation:

• Build scalable and sustainable coach development systems servicing both metropolitan and regional communities.

Workforce Capability:

• Develop and sustain a high quality Coach Developer network.
• Mentor and guide emerging coach leaders.

Stakeholder Collaboration:

• Ensure effective collaboration across the NNSWF Technical Team, Member Zones, Football Australia, and other Member Federations.

Continuous Improvement:

• Modernise and enhance delivery models, workshop formats, and digital learning approaches.

About You:

Essential, Non Negotiable:

• Energy, passion and commitment to coach development: Someone that is proactive, a driver of standards, where an understanding that the 1%’s matter.
• A Diploma level qualification: UEFA A Diploma, AFC A Diploma or equivalent.
• Significant experience leading coach development or coach education programs.
• High performance environment credibility: experience in a professional club setup, or within a National or State Federation system.
• Accredited course delivery qualifications: proven experience delivering formal, accredited coach education programs.
• People builder: demonstrated success mentoring and developing Coach Developers, tutors, and assessors.
• Strong development lens: deep understanding of long term player and coach development principles.
• Ready to work with our football community: current Working with Children Check.
• Ready to hit the road: current driver licence.
• Ready to work in Australia: working rights in Australia, or a clear willingness and ability to secure the required rights.

Desirable:

• Pro Licence level qualification: UEFA Pro Licence, AFC Pro Diploma, or equivalent.
• Modern delivery experience: designing and delivering blended learning and online education modules.
• Regional game ready: experience operating across large geographic catchments, with travel and decentralised delivery.
• Formal study backing: tertiary qualification in sport coaching, education, sport science, or a related discipline.

The Fine Print:

• You will be on the road a lot, this role covers all of Northern NSW, not just the office.
• You will work outside standard hours, evenings and weekends are part of the deal.
• This is a high energy leadership role, you will need real drive, strong presence, and the ability to bring people with you.
• You will spend time with different football communities both metro and regionally.

Benefits:

At NNSWF, we are committed to growing the game and delivering world-class football experiences for players and fans. Joining our team means being part of a supportive, forward-thinking organisation that values your passion and expertise.

Perks:

• The chance to genuinely enhance the level of football across the region through coach development.
• Opportunities to develop your craft through professional and personal development opportunities.
• Work up and down the football ecosystem, networking and collaborating with football stakeholders at every level of the game.
• An energetic and collaborative team environment that celebrates diversity and inclusion.
• Access to NNSWF's Employee Assistance Program for support when you need it.

Commitment to Diversity:

At Northern NSW Football, we respect and celebrate the power of diversity. We strive to ensure our workforce reflects the diversity of our football family and harness the unique talents, perspectives and experiences of our staff and the communities we work and play in.