ABOUT US
Purpose: To lead, promote, unite, develop and regulate football
Vision: To unite and elevate Australian football to become a world class, globally respected system to inspire our national, developing excellence at every level
Mission: Working with our stakeholders everyday – to build the capability, capacity and capital we need now and in the future - to transform every football dream into reality
To achieve the above, we live by our company values which are:
- Welcome: Open doors, open minds, open hearts – and respect
- Ready: Always ready, Always ahead
- Connect: Together, united
- Excel: Our best, every day in every way
- Protect: Guarding the game, Securing the future
WHAT WE OFFER
At Football Australia we want to look after our people and below are just some of the many benefits of joining our team:
- Flexible work arrangements
- Birthday Leave
- Study Leave
- Wellbeing & Lifestyle leave
- Paid Parental leave in addition to statutory government offering
- Volunteer leave
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Partner discounts
- Workplace Banking Program
- Social Activities such as 5-a-side futsal
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ROLE
The Participation, Grassroots & Amateur Lead is responsible for championing and coordinating the implementation of the National Participation Plan and aligned Participation, Grassroots and Amateur strategies across all forms of the game.
Operating within a complex, federated ecosystem, the role works to align Member Federations, clubs and stakeholders to deliver sustainable participation growth through system design, governance and performance oversight.
The role provides strategic oversight of the Amateur Football portfolio, including alternative and modified formats such as walking football, futsal and beach football, alongside broader non-elite, social and lifelong participation pathways - ensuring national alignment, consistent delivery and measurable adoption.
Central to the role is establishing evidence-led frameworks, programs and strategic initiatives that strengthen local delivery, enable stakeholder engagement, and support accessible, inclusive and safe football experiences across Australia.
ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES
Key responsibilities include:
- Champion and drive the implementation of the National Participation Plan, ensuring alignment across grassroots and amateur football
- Align Member Federations, clubs and stakeholders to deliver participation outcomes within a federated football system
- Establish consistent engagement rhythms across the ecosystem, including planning cycles, performance check-ins and reporting frameworks
- Lead the national Amateur Football portfolio, including alternative and modified formats and non-elite participation pathways
- Develop and deliver annual operational plans aligned with Football Australia’s corporate strategy and budget processes
- Provide strategic reporting, insights and recommendations to support decision-making and system performance
- Facilitate collaboration across the football system to strengthen shared ownership of participation outcomes
- Identify, assess and manage participation-related risks, including maintaining risk registers and mitigation strategies
- Oversee participation budgets and resource allocation aligned to strategic priorities
- Lead and deliver major participation and grassroots projects, including cross-functional initiatives
- Build capability across the system through development programs and support frameworks for clubs, workforce and stakeholders
- Strengthen inclusion by removing barriers to participation and supporting equitable access and engagement
- Advocate for facilities and infrastructure planning aligned to participation growth and community needs
- Support integrity, safeguarding and positive culture initiatives across grassroots football
ROLE OUTCOMES/ DELIVERABLES
Success in this role will see:
- Strong national alignment of grassroots and amateur football across all forms of the game
- Sustainable participation growth and improved retention across community football
- Delivery of inclusive, accessible and aligned participation experiences across all life stages
- Improved governance, reporting and performance oversight across participation environments
- Enhanced collaboration and alignment across the football ecosystem
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
- Demonstrated experience leading participation, community sport or growth-focused programs at a strategic or system-wide level
- Proven ability to design and implement system-level strategies beyond program delivery
- Experience aligning stakeholders across complex environments with competing priorities
- Strong stakeholder engagement and communication capability across community, club and executive environments
- Experience using data and insights to inform decision-making, planning and evaluation
- Strong understanding of participation systems, including growth, retention and engagement drivers
- Experience in budgeting, planning and resource management
QUALIFICATIONS
- Tertiary qualification in sport management, community development, public policy or a related field (or equivalent experience)
- Advanced qualifications or professional development in leadership, participation strategy or community sport (desirable)
- Training or certification in inclusion, safeguarding or community engagement (desirable)
Application close - Thursday 18th June 2026 at 5pm AEST
Please submit a Resume and Cover Letter
