Community Venues and Facilities Manager

Company description:

The AFL is Australia's premier sporting organisation supporting two constantly evolving national competitions, AFL and AFLW. Our purpose is to progress the game, so everyone can share in its heritage and possibilities.

We have a strong workforce presence in most States and Territories of Australia including Northern Territory, QLD, NSW / ACT, Victoria and Tasmania.

As the AFL/ AFLW competitions continue to grow and evolve at both the elite and community levels, we are focused on ensuring we attract and retain great people in both permanent and casual roles at all levels and within all areas of our industry.

Importantly, we aim to reflect the communities where our game is played by recruiting locally where possible to strengthen our connection to the 'grassroots' of our game. We are also fortunate to have hundreds of passionate volunteers within our industry, offering their time and expertise to help grow our game.

The AFL's purchase of Marvel Stadium in Docklands, Melbourne, further diversifies our workforce with more than 1000 casual employees to make every moment matter for our fans and customers.

Job description:

ABOUT US

As an organisation, the AFL works tirelessly in all states and at all levels to enhance and grow the game - from grassroots to elite. Together, we put on the game, deliver important events, communicate with our fans, run community programs, develop coaches and umpires, collaborate with partners, delight members, support clubs and so much more. While our roles may vary, we are all united by a common goal, to progress the game so that everyone can share in its heritage and possibilities.

The AFL is committed to promoting and protecting the safety and wellbeing of children and young people in our care. Please note, we undertake several screening processes to ensure this commitment is upheld, this includes ensuring the successful candidate to this position holds a valid employee Working with Children/ Vulnerable People check and a satisfactory criminal history record check.

We are an Equal Opportunity employer and firmly believe that diversity and inclusion is an important part of both the AFL and the communities in which we operate. Our game is for everyone, and we strive to be a workplace for everyone.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are encouraged to apply.

ABOUT THE ROLE - (This role is Max Term until approx May 2027)

This a is key role in the AFL NT facilities team to drive and support the development and improvement of community football venues, plus work towards new and enhanced education and innovative venues throughout the Northern Territory to help grow our game.

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF

Key Accountabilities:

• Oversee stadium operations team
• Manage lease arrangements for TIO Stadium & other venue
• Overseas the day-to-day management of TIO Stadium
• Drive facilities growth planning in the Northern Territory and across LGA's.
• Plan for new and for the upgrade of community facility venues.
• Drive the improvement of venues so that they meet our standards around change areas, lighting levels and availability of access for both players and umpires of any gender.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with Stakeholders - including State/local government and planning and infrastructure organisations/developers, community clubs and other relevant stakeholders. This includes h education and sector, along with other landowners that may be able to partner with the AFL.
• Analyse available AFL data and land availability to identify potential partnership possibilities for new ground capacity for our sport.
• Work with the AFL Facilities and Government Partnerships team to assess and prioritise possible opportunities.
• Drive specific detailed planning for those sites deemed of sufficient potential to enable an informed discussion to develop around the site's needs to become an asset for our sport, the need of that site in that location to our game, and the willingness of all stakeholders to commit to long term usage and maintenance of a future developed site.
• Contribute to key projects within and outside of core role
• Support and contribute to the success of the broader team

OUR IDEAL TEAM MEMBER

Desirable:

• Tertiary qualification in a relevant field; and or transferrable knowledge/ skills
• Strong leadership and management skills
• Strong experience in Infrastructure / Facilities development
• Strong stakeholder management including government (Local, Territory and Federal)

OUR CULTURE

Please visit

Applications Close: 5 October 2025

We offer:

THE PERKS

• Play The Day Your Way - a flexible approach to your working life
• My Development - lean into the AFL's My Development program consisting of on-the-job training, coaching and mentoring, and formal learning
• Play Well - access to our extensive Health and Wellbeing program centered around our belief in a healthy body, healthy mind, and healthy workplace
• My Benefits - with thanks to our AFL Corporate Partners, access great benefits and discounts