First Nations Engagement and Programs Manager

About the Carlton Football Club

The Carlton Football Club is one of Australia's oldest and most prominent sport institutions. Founded in 1864, the Club's headquarters and training facilities are located in Carlton at IKON Park, our traditional home ground. Our IKON Park redevelopment is now complete, and we are proud of our state-of-the-art facilities that supports our high-performance environment.

We are passionate about our contribution to the Community and foster an inclusive and welcoming culture where our values are at the core of who we are and what we do.

About the Role

Reporting to the Head of Community, this full-time position is responsible for leading the implementation of the Carlton Football Club's First Nations activities, programs and community engagement, while also providing leadership and cultural guidance to ensure the success of the Club's First Nations strategy.

This role plays an integral part in supporting the Club's strategic priorities to drive social change and align the Carlton brand with programs and activities which are culturally appropriate, empowering, and responsive to community needs through two-way learning. This role will have a clear focus on the Club's First Nations programming as well as building internal and external relationships to ensure the Club is a culturally safe and supportive space for First Nations players, staff, members and community.

This role is also responsible for co-driving internal initiatives such as the Carlton First Nations Strategy, Loorende-gat program and any related programs.

The successful candidate will have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of First Nations cultures and history, and a strong connection to the local Aboriginal community to ensure successful community outcomes are achieved.

Key Responsibilities

• Co-Facilitate the launch and implementation of the Carlton Football Club First Nations Strategy.
• Alongside the Head of Community, support the ongoing delivery of the First Nations Strategy Committee.
• In collaboration with the First Nations Strategy Working Group, provide strategic advice and support to all areas of the Club to ensure the successful implementation of the strategy.
• Monitor and evaluate the First Nations Strategy progress and success outcomes.
• Lead and manage the planning and implementation of Sir Doug Nicholls Round awareness campaigns and game days.
• Chair and facilitate cross-department working groups to combine all elements of the AFL and AFLW campaigns.
• Continue to embed cultural engagement and learning throughout the calendar year, including Sir Doug Nicholls Round, NAIDOC Week, National Reconciliation Week, AFLW Indigenous Round and throughout the year, in collaboration with the broader business.
• Lead process of engaging and collaborating with Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander artists for the AFL and AFLW First Nations guernsey and gift exchange.
• Oversee the planning, delivery, evaluation and reporting of the Loorende-gat Business and Entrepreneurship program.
• Contribute to the strategy of the Loorende-gat program and broader First Nations community impact initiatives.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to continue adding value to the Loorende-gat program and its participants.
• Build the profile of the program internally and externally, sharing success and impact.
• Build positive relationships with local Elders and respected community members in community.
• Engage with local community organisations and football clubs (both metropolitan and regional) to further support Indigenous talent pathways for the AFL and AFLW.
• Build respectful relationships with local Aboriginal organisations to increase positive community outcomes and engagement.
• Build positive relationships with past-players, particularly our First Nations past-players to involve them in Club activities and events.
• Provide leadership, strategic guidance and capacity building strategies to ensure an all-of-Club commitment and approach to First Nations programs and initiatives.
• Work closely with the Club's Indigenous Player Development Manager to ensure the playing groups and football departments are aware of and involved in broader Club First Nations work.
• Collaborating with AFL and AFLW players to build knowledge and awareness of the Club's First Nations programs and activities.
• Manage and maintain First Nations operational budgets and forecasts.
• Maintain presence in all key sector networks to increase visibility of programming and expand on collaborative partnerships.

Experience, Skills and Attributes

In recognition of the role's primary purpose in delivering the First Nations strategy, programs and building internal and external relationships to ensure the Club is a culturally safe and supportive space for First Nations players, staff, members and community, it is a requirement of this position that the candidate:

• Be of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent.
• Demonstrate knowledge of First Nations cultures and understanding the importance of family, kinship, and communities.
• Connection and ability to build strong relationships and/or partnerships with local Aboriginal organisations, communities and individuals.

The Carlton Football Club Club considers that being Aboriginal or a Torres Strait Islander is a genuine occupational requirement for this position under sub-s 26(3) or s 28 of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (Vic).

In addition, the successful candidate will have:

• Qualifications in community development, youth work, community services or equivalent.
• Exceptional collaboration, communication, and advisory skills for both internal and external stakeholders, especially on First Nations Affairs.
• Experience in working on initiatives that focus on co-design and self-determination in First Nations communities.
• Ability to plan, lead and manage social impact initiatives.
• Experience in working with/within organisations focused on First Nations community engagement.
• A sound level of competency both written and verbal communication and an intermediate level of computer literacy.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks in fast-paced environments, adapt to change and innovate.
• Ability to collaborate across the Club, both Football programs and Administration and work in a team environment to achieve outcomes.
• Ability to develop plans and strategies that enable the engagement of the Club's First Nations community through two-way learning.
• Ability to support organisational cultural safety practices and provide guidance to all staff about how to best support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, staff, their families, and communities.
• Confidence and experience in presenting and communicating to internal and external stakeholders at all levels.
• Passionate about self-determination and utilising sport to enhance community outcomes.
• Maintain appropriate professional conduct especially in the area of ethics and confidentiality.

Benefits and Culture

Carlton's values underpin how the Club operates, describing how our people work together, interact and behave. The Club is passionate about its culture, focused on cultivating a unique sense of belonging and connection. In addition, we offer our people flexible working, learning and development opportunities, as well as employee benefits such as membership, café and retail discounts, alongside working in a world-class sporting amenity.

How to Apply

Please submit your current resume and cover letter addressed to the General Manager – People, Culture and Community by 11:55pm Sunday 19 October.

The Carlton Football Club is an equal opportunity employer and a place who welcomes all. We encourage people with diverse experiences and backgrounds to apply. This includes, but is not limited to, those from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse, and LGBTQIA+ communities. We are committed to fostering a workplace environment which is inclusive, safe, and flexible. All applicants will be considered based on the relevance of their abilities to the role and their alignment with our Club Values.

The Carlton Football Club is committed to providing a welcoming environment where the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people involved in our programs, services, activities, events, and the broader community, will always be our first priority. All staff must hold (or be willing to obtain) a current Victorian Working With Children Check as part of their employment with the Club.