ABOUT THE CLUB

As the pioneers of the AFL, The Melbourne Football Club holds a special place in history. Our legacy dates back 165 years, when we wrote the rules of the game.  We became the inaugural VFA/VFL/AFL Club and still carry the distinction of being the oldest professional sporting club in the world. Our vision of the future has been shaped by the foundations of our past. A foundation which created the Demon Spirit.

At Melbourne, we’re proud. Proud of our rich history, proud of our values, with Trust, Respect, Unity, and Excellence at our core. Proud of our people, who live these values each and every day. Proud of our passion, our colours and our spiritual home. We’re proud to belong. 

ABOUT THE ROLE

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Player Development and Education Manager to join Melbourne Football Club’s AFLW program in Season 2025.

The AFLW Player Development and Education Manager is responsible for creating, leading, and managing all programs that support the holistic development, education, and well-being of Melbourne Football Club’s AFLW players. This role is designed to enhance players' lives both on and off the field by focusing on personal, educational, career, and community initiatives, building a strong connection to club values, and providing pathways for ongoing growth and contribution beyond their playing careers.

This is a full-time 12-month position commencing in January 2025.

KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY             

Reporting directly to the Head of Women’s Football, key areas of responsibilities include:

Player Development Programs

• Develop and manage individual development programs focused on personal growth, leadership, life skills and career development, tailored to players individual needs
• Collaborate with coaches, performance staff and external experts to enhance players’ educational and career development opportunities.

Leadership Programs

• Develop and implement tailored leadership programs for AFLW Players and staff, including workshops and mentoring focusing on communication, decision-making, and team building
• Establish key metrics for assessing the effectiveness of leadership initiatives and regularly review and refine programs based on feedback and performance outcomes.
• Work with senior club leaders to integrate leadership development into the club’s broader player and staff culture, aligning with the Club’s TRUE values

Education and Career Support

• Provide education counselling and career transition support for players both during and post-career
• Establish strong relationships with educational institutions, employers, and professional organizations to create meaningful opportunities for players.
• Deliver workshops and access to resources on financial literacy, life balance, mental health, and other relevant areas.

Mental Performance

• Collaborate with the senior leadership team and AFLW Psychologist to design and oversee a mental performance program, including strategies and initiatives that enhance players mental resilience, focus, confidence and overall psychological well-being
• Provide group and individual support sessions tailored to mental skills training, performance mindset, stress management, and emotional regulation, regularly evaluating the program’s effectiveness and adjust based on evolving needs and feedback, and aligned with the programs high-performance objectives

Community and Cultural Integration

• Foster and promote strong community and cultural engagement initiatives among AFLW players.
• Partner with community organizations, charities, and club-driven initiatives to align players with meaningful and purpose-driven engagements.
• Support diversity and inclusion initiatives that align with the values of the Melbourne Football Club.

Player Welfare and wellbeing

• Oversee welfare programs to ensure physical and mental wellbeing, in conjunction with the high-performance and medical staff.
• Serve as the primary contact for player welfare, offering regular check-ins, personalised support, crisis management, and referral pathways as needed.

Networking and Mentoring

• Create and lead mentoring programs connecting players with alumni, industry leaders, and community figures, and promote player participation in club initiatives, events and community activities
• Represent the AFLW program on the Club wide THRIVE program focusing on player and staff transition.

ABOUT YOU

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor’s degree in Education, Psychology, Sports Management, or a related field, or equivalent experience.

You have 3-5 years of experience in player development, education, welfare or similar roles, particularly within elite sports. Strong interpersonal and communication skills are essential, with the ability to engage and build relationships with a diverse rang of groups.

You have experience designing and leading leadership development and mental performance programs in a high-performance environment, with knowledge of career development, welfare strategies, and holistic support systems for elite athletes.

You have the ability to work flexible hours, including weekends and evenings as required for AFLW commitments.

ON OFFER TO YOU

This position presents the opportunity to work in our newly developed high-performance facility at Casey Fields, as well as AAMI Park, within the Melbourne & Olympic Park Sporting Precinct.

We provide a welcoming, safe, and flexible approach to work and provide an environment that benefits from and enables the best from everyone. Our people thrive within a club that is committed to a standard of excellence and supported by a culture of wellbeing and balance.

HOW TO APPLY

If this sounds like the right opportunity for you, please submit a cover letter and CV outlining your suitability for the role.

Applications close 5.30pm Tuesday 26th November 2024

Please note that due to the overwhelming number of applications received by the Club, we are unable to reply to every application. Only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.

The Melbourne Football Club is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from suitably qualified and diverse candidates. If you believe that you have the passion, dedication, and potential to contribute to our organisation but may not meet all the specified selection criteria, we still encourage you to get in touch with us. We recognise that talent comes in many forms and that unique skills and experiences can be valuable assets to our club.

Our Commitment to Safeguarding Children & Young People

Melbourne Football Club is committed to and takes seriously its responsibility to provide an environment for children and young people that is caring, nurturing and safe. We expect representatives of the Club, regardless of their role or level of responsibility, to act to safeguard children and young people, and support such an environment. 

This role will be subject to relevant pre-employment checks, including a National Police Check and a Victorian Working with Children Check.