About Us

History is being made in Perth! The Bears are coming to the NRL in 2027, and we're looking for passionate people to help us build something incredible from the ground up. This is your chance to be part of the action, working behind the scenes of a professional sporting club as we prepare to roar onto the national stage.

If you love sport, thrive in fast-paced environments, and want to be part of rugby league history, this is your moment.

The Opportunity

As we prepare for our entry into the National Rugby League in 2027, we are seeking a visionary and hands-on Head of Technology, Data and Innovation to build and lead the technology foundations of the Perth Bears from the ground up.

This is a pivotal leadership role at the intersection of sport, technology and infrastructure. Reporting to the Chief Operating & Financial Officer, and working closely with every department across the club, you will be responsible for designing and delivering the club's technology architecture, data strategy and innovation roadmap — establishing the platforms, processes and culture that will underpin every facet of club operations as we scale through our start-up phase and into elite-level competition.

A defining priority of this role in the foundation phase is building the club's start-up environment from scratch — including Microsoft 365, SharePoint, intranet, hardware, and the technology specifications for the club's new facility. You will be the person who ensures our people have the tools, systems and connected workspace they need from day one.

This position requires a builder and operator: someone comfortable moving between strategic architecture and hands-on execution, capable of shaping vision while rolling up their sleeves to get the job done. As the club grows, you will have the opportunity to build and lead a team around you.

What You'll Do

Technology Strategy & Architecture

• Develop and implement the Perth Bears' technology strategy, ensuring all platforms and systems are aligned with the club's commercial, operational and fan engagement objectives
• Design a scalable technology architecture that supports the club's growth from start-up phase through to full NRL operations
• Partner with department heads to assess, evaluate and recommend technology solutions that meet their functional requirements
• Lead end-to-end delivery of technology implementations from scoping and vendor management through to go-live, training and ongoing enhancement

Start-Up Environment & Infrastructure

• Build the club's core technology environment from the ground up, including Microsoft 365 tenant setup, SharePoint architecture, intranet design and configuration
• Lead procurement, configuration and deployment of all hardware across the organisation, ensuring staff are equipped with the right tools from day one
• Develop and deliver technology specifications for the club's new facility, working with project stakeholders to ensure future-ready, connected infrastructure
• Establish IT policies, standards, user access frameworks and onboarding processes
• Design and maintain internal knowledge management systems and digital workspaces that support collaboration and operational efficiency

Data & Analytics

• Build and lead the club's data and analytics capability, establishing data governance frameworks, pipelines and reporting infrastructure
• Develop a unified data strategy that supports commercial revenue growth, fan engagement and membership acquisition and retention
• Implement advanced analytics tools and dashboards to enable data-driven decision-making across all departments
• Ensure full compliance with all applicable privacy legislation, including the Australian Privacy Act

Innovation & Emerging Technology

• Lead the club's innovation agenda, identifying and evaluating emerging technologies including artificial intelligence, machine learning and automation
• Implement AI-powered tools to improve customer interactions, operational efficiency and content personalisation
• Foster a culture of innovation across the club, encouraging experimentation and the adoption of best-practice solutions
• Monitor trends in sports technology and digital innovation globally

Digital & Fan Experience

• Oversee the club's digital ecosystem including website, app, social media platforms and digital content delivery
• Work closely with Marketing, Consumer and Partnerships teams to enable a seamless, fan-first digital experience
• Lead delivery of technology solutions that enhance the match-day experience for fans at the stadium and at home

Operations & Performance

• Manage all vendor and technology partner relationships, ensuring delivery against contractual obligations and SLAs
• Oversee IT infrastructure, cybersecurity and business continuity planning
• Develop and manage the technology budget, ensuring strong ROI on all investments
• Provide timely, accurate technology performance insights to the executive team

Training, Adoption & Enhancement

• Design and deliver technology training programs to drive platform adoption and user confidence
• Establish a continuous improvement framework, ensuring platforms are regularly reviewed and optimised
• Act as first point of escalation for technology issues, building internal capability
• Develop user guides, documentation and self-service resources

Leadership & Collaboration

• Build, lead and inspire a high-performing technology and data team as the club grows
• Work collaboratively across all club departments to understand technology needs and deliver aligned solutions
• Promote a collaborative workplace culture that recognises and celebrates diversity and inclusion
• Act as an internal technology advocate, building digital capability and data literacy across the organisation

What We're Looking For

You are a visionary technology leader who combines strategic thinking with hands-on technical expertise and builds credibility through delivering measurable impact. You bring:

• Senior technology leadership experience (minimum 10+ years), with 5+ years in a senior leadership or CTO-equivalent capacity
• Tertiary qualified in Information Technology, Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering or a related discipline
• Strong technical foundation and understanding of modern cloud infrastructure, systems architecture and enterprise technology platforms
• Demonstrated experience building and leading technology functions in a fast-paced or start-up environment, ideally within sport, entertainment, media or consumer-facing organisation
• Proven experience building organisational technology environments from the ground up, including Microsoft 365, SharePoint, intranet platforms and hardware deployment
• Experience developing technology specifications for new facilities or fit-outs, working alongside project teams
• Strong capability in technology assessment, implementation and integration with a track record of supporting business stakeholders through procurement decisions
• Demonstrated ability to design and deliver end-user training programs that drive platform adoption
• Strong expertise in data strategy, analytics and using data to drive commercial outcomes
• Experience implementing AI and automation tools in a customer or operational context
• Demonstrated experience managing technology vendors, contracts and procurement processes
• Strong commercial acumen with ability to connect technology investment to business outcomes
• Understanding of cybersecurity, data governance and regulatory compliance
• Passion for innovation and emerging technologies, with ability to evaluate and implement new solutions
• Experience in sport or entertainment is highly regarded
• Understanding of NRL and Australian sports culture is advantageous

Working in a Start-Up Environment

The Perth Bears are a start-up organisation in a critical foundation phase. This position is intentionally hands-on and will initially operate with lean support structures.

The Head of Technology, Data and Innovation will be fully accountable for building the club's technology environment from scratch from day-to-day IT operations and hardware, through to the intranet, SharePoint, facility technology specs, and the platforms that will power our commercial and football operations. This is not a role with inherited infrastructure or existing systems. You will design, build and deliver concurrently while the club grows around you.

Success in this role requires comfort with ambiguity, strong personal accountability, and the ability to move seamlessly between strategic planning and hands-on execution. As the club scales, there will be significant opportunities to shape the future structure and resourcing of the technology and data function.

Why Join Us

This is more than a job — it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to shape the success of Perth's new NRL team. You'll be part of a start-up phase where your ideas, energy and leadership will directly influence the club's future.

• This is a rare opportunity to build a technology and data capability entirely from the ground up, within a high-profile, values-driven organisation
• Work in a dynamic, ambitious and supportive start-up culture
• Leave your mark on rugby league in Western Australia
• Be part of preparing for long-term success at the elite level

Important Information

The Perth Bears are an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace for all employees. We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and people with disability.

Please note, the Perth Bears do not accept unsolicited applications or requests for employment sent directly to the Club. Only applications submitted through the advertised channels will be considered.

Applications will be reviewed as received, we encourage early applications, as interviews may commence prior to the advertised closing date, and the ad will be closed early should a suitable candidate be identified.

Not open to recruitment agencies.