Why Join the Netball Crew?

Did you know, eight out of ten Australian families have had some involvement with Netball? Either through playing, volunteering, coaching, assisting with admin or being one of our dedicated fans!

The Diamonds have won 11 out of 14 World Cups (including the inaugural World Championships in 1963). Since netball became a Commonwealth Games sport in 1998, Australia has won five gold medals and are the current number one team in the INF World Rankings.

You will be joining a team of passionate individuals who take pride in their skills, love what they do and thoroughly enjoy being part of making Netball one of the most loved sports in Australia.

Role Overview: 

The Head of Business Development (HOBD) will be responsible for generating revenue (and, value, more broadly) by securing new Partners and Sponsors for Netball Australia (NA) properties such as its professional netball league, Super Netball, national representative teams Australian Diamonds and Black Swans and community programs. The HOBD will also be responsible for generating revenue for NA’s digital and content products with brands / advertisers. 

The revenue generated will contribute to the total NA revenue objectives and budget as set by the organisation each financial year, made up of existing partnerships, media and content rights, onsite experiences (including ticketing and hospitality), licensing and merchandising. 

Role Overview: 

The Head of Business Development (HOBD) will be responsible for generating revenue (and, value, more broadly) by securing new Partners and Sponsors for Netball Australia (NA) properties such as its professional netball league, Super Netball, national representative teams Australian Diamonds and Black Swans, community programs. The HOBD will also be responsible for generating revenue for NA’s digital and content products with brands / advertisers, as well as supporting funding opportunities for NA’s charity partner, Confident Girls’ Foundation. 

The revenue generated will contribute to the total NA revenue objectives and budget as set by the organisation each financial year, made up of existing partnerships, media and content rights, onsite experiences (including ticketing and hospitality), licensing and merchandising. 

We are looking for someone who can: 

• Have a thorough understanding of, and will be able to demonstrate, standard sales processes and techniques. At a minimum, this includes market prospecting, conducting sales meetings, information extraction and brief development, developing proposals, pitching proposals, negotiating, closing and contracting. The HOBD will be able to demonstrate how to develop and maintain a strong sales pipeline at all times.  
• Demonstrate how to sell within a creative and collaborative environment by understanding how brands can leverage NA properties to reach, connect and engage with audiences for their benefit and to support their marketing objectives. This may include traditional sponsorship rights but it is expected to be much more advanced than this most of the time and will incorporate rights, benefits and activation across multiple platforms and distribution points such as broadcast, media, onsite experiences, community engagement, licensing, retail, trade, digital, social media and leveraging talent. Commercialising digital assets and content rights with brands/advertisers (i.e. not always part of a partnership with associative rights) is an important component of this role.  
• Maximise value when securing new business by understanding costs of delivery, opportunity costs and market demand particularly when selling scarce assets. Additionally, the HOBD will be a strong negotiator that enables them to maximise value for multiple parties. 
• Operate with a high level of individual initiative and autonomy from time-to-time but will work closely with internal stakeholders particularly as it relates to leveraging research and insight to inform in-market activity and support opportunities, go-to-market strategies, partnership development, asset and value creation, and proposal and presentation development. 
• Demonstrate an extensive network of relevant contacts with companies and brands who have the capacity to partner with large investment sponsorship / partnership properties. Specifically, this means decision makers in director (or similar) roles or above. At the same time, the HOBD will be comfortable and capable of seeking out new relationships. Experience within the digital media and media agency sectors is desirable. 

The role is primarily located in NA’s Melbourne head office however travel will be required as necessary and the HOBD will be expected to work at NA events and programs from time-to-time. 

The successful applicant will have the following skills and experience:

• Demonstrated alignment with NA Values
• 3-5 years in a similar role within the sporting industry
• Ability to build and manage a sales pipeline
• Experience in generating revenue from new partnerships or sponsorships
• A tertiary qualification in a related discipline and/or experience in a sporting industry
• An ability to communicate effectively and work collaboratively with a diverse and complex range of stakeholders
• A passion for sport at all levels, a knowledge of Netball is desirable.
• Demonstrate a growth mindset

Please note we will not be progressing candidates to interview stage until 2025. 

On the cusp of our centenary, and significant opportunity leading into the 2027 Netball World Cup in Sydney, there has never been a more exciting time to join. This full-time opportunity is based at our HQ in vibrant Fitzroy, where you will be spoilt for choice on great coffee spots! Our teams work flexibly, and we encourage the successful applicant to discuss flexible working options with their new Manager. Given the unique nature of the sports industry, and the regional/global nature of the organisation, working outside of Netball HQ and traditional office hours may be required. 

If this sounds like you, and we hope it does – please submit your application, ensuring it articulates your ability to meet the criteria above, and what you could bring to the role that would make you stand out as the preferred candidate. An attractive renumeration package will be available to the successful candidate, negotiable depending upon skill level and experience. At the time of applying, candidates are invited to indicate their salary expectations. 

We shortlist and interview great candidates as soon as they are identified so, please do not delay your application should you wish to be considered. We do not take for granted the high volume of excellent applications we receive, but please be aware this means we are only able to contact shortlisted candidates.

Netball Australia takes our Safeguarding responsibilities seriously and we provide an environment that is safe for our child and adult beneficiaries. All successful candidates will undergo a criminal record and Working with Children check prior to employment and must be able to hold valid checks at all times throughout their employment. We provide our staff and volunteers with ongoing supervision, support and training in their work with child and adult beneficiaries. We have a collaborative, supportive and diverse culture and promote the continued development of our team members! We believe your religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identification or culture do not define you nor impact your application or employment with Netball Australia. We are a sport for all people across the community and take pride in providing a diverse, inclusive and safe environment for all.