National Wellbeing Manager

Football Australia (FA) is the national governing body for football in Australia, situated on the lands of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We acknowledge the histories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and commit to building a brighter future together.

Football Australia took transformative steps in 2020 and released its ‘XI Principles - for the future of Australian football’, which advances eleven principles that underpin a bold and innovate 15-year vision and new strategic agenda for Australian football.

At the center of the XI Principles is the recognition of the strength and diversity of the Australian football family. We are a melting pot of two million participants represented by over 200 different cultures. No other sport within the Australian sporting landscape offers the type of inherent diversity which football does. This diversity in culture, ideas, and experience makes us strong and prepares us to take advantage of the opportunities embodied in the XI Principles.

Reporting into the Head of Referees, this part time role will lead the wellbeing framework for Australian Match Officials at a domestic and global level. The role will be responsible for leading the design and implementation of a Match Official Wellbeing and Engagement framework to support match official, referee coaches and support staff across the football ecosystem. The role is aligned with principle XI from the XI Principles for the Future of Australian Football.

The role includes attendance at all required camps, seminars and online sessions as prescribed by the Head of Referees or the Elite Referee Coaching Team.

**Duties & Responsibilities**:

- Provide strategic support in the implementation and delivery of the Football Australia Match Official Engagement and Wellbeing Framework
- Lead, manage and deliver the right support to match officials to:

- Maintain their intrinsic motivation and focus on success in their sport;
- Make a positive transition into life after sport; and
- Communicate authentically and positively about their life experiences in sport and transition into life after sport
- Implement and review policies and procedures that are aligned to the Football Australia Match Official Wellbeing & Engagement Framework to support the holistic development, safety and protection of Football Australia match officials
- Integrate and manage the wellbeing component within the Football Australia match official individualized planning process within the context of the high-performance environment
- Adopt an individualised case management approach when assessing match official needs and refer appropriately
- Establish, maintain, and connect with the various referral networks available, including the AIS and other support networks
- Lead on the planning, development, implementation, and revision of bespoke and innovative curriculum framework keeping with the direction set by the FA Referees Department, Member Federations & match official needs in line with best practice
- Influence the culture of the Referee Department and Member Federations to consistently consider match official wellbeing when making strategy and operational decisions
- Engage in ongoing professional development specifically (but not limited to) in the areas of mental health, wellbeing, match official conduct and safety and protection, education, career mapping and transition within the context of the high-performance environment
- Maintain contemporary knowledge of social issues impacting sport and proactively instigate solutions to address any developing issues

**Experience and skills required**:

- Bachelor degree and qualifications in a relevant field (eg: education, psychology, career counselling, social work, business, sports management etc.)
- Significant experience in or a comprehensive understanding of the Australian High Performance sport system, preferably within Football
- Training or experience in mental health and/or case management of individuals with wellbeing concerns, ensuring appropriate care and referral are accessible
- Demonstrated experience working within a multi-disciplinary team within a high-performance environment
- Demonstrated experience to develop, plan and deliver individualised strategies and activities to address the identified wellbeing, career, personal and professional development needs of match officials
- Ability to maintain performance while navigating, managing and negotiating competing priorities within a high pressure and complex environment
- Experience and commitment to delivering best practice in career development support, education, vocational options and guidance
- Contemporary knowledge of issues impacting mental health and wellbeing and experience with implementing best practice support
- Ability to gain commitment and build trust and partnerships effectively and quickly
- Flexibility as weekend work and domestic travel is required
- A valid paid/em