Communications and Engagement Manager – AFL

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. 

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.

About The Role

Reporting directly into the Executive General Manager, People this national role is responsible for planning, creating, and delivering high quality internal communications and engagement initiatives across the AFL. The position oversees the Office Experience Manager as their direct report, to support a holistic understanding of our audiences and environments and help deliver a range of communications and experiences that hit the mark.Pivotal in shaping and driving our internal communication and engagement strategy, this role is integral in ensuring our people are informed, inspired, and engaged in line with our organisation’s purpose, vision and values.This is a rare vacancy in our People team and one we’re excited to be taking to market. It requires a broad set of communication, relationship, and leadership skills to make this a truly great experience for our organisation as we intentionally build a culture of belonging where our people thrive and love working at the AFL.Based at AFL House in Melbourne, this permanent position liaises daily with a large group of stakeholders internally and externally. You’ll connect and collaborate with our Corporate Affairs teams, our functional Leaders and your Melbourne and National People team members to ensure we remain aligned to our broader strategy and consistent with our key messaging.‘Team connect days’ in Melbourne support hybrid and flexible working and are Monday – Wednesday – Thursday to foster fun and get things done!

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF

As you’d expect, the Communications and Engagement Manager is front and centre for all comms and messaging on a national basis. Below is a snapshot of the core activities across three main areas of the position. Whilst you may not do all these things daily, you’ll be pivoting between them regularly; we consider them a realistic summary of what this person will take ownership of to help us progress the game.

Key Accountabilities

Internal Communications

  • You’ll develop and implement a comprehensive internal communication strategy that informs, inspires, and engages team members
  • You’ll provide communications planning, support and implementation on all key issues impacting the AFL team
  • We’ll need you to ensure updates from the AFL Commission and Executive are communicated in an appropriate and timely manner to the AFL workforce
  • Overseeing the AFL’s intranets (Tommy and Daisy) and social network (Workplace by Meta) will be important and ensuring both platforms are regularly updated with relevant and engaging content, resources, and announcements will be this person’s remit
  • Daily collabs with various departments and leaders will be essential to align internal communication efforts with organisational priorities and initiatives; this is a biggie and will hinge on the successful candidate’s ability to build rapport and trust quickly to help deliver to deadlines
  • You’ll assist Senior Leaders with the development and delivery of on tone internal communication messages, presentations, and announcements that align to strategy
  • You’ll work collaboratively with the Corporate Affairs Team to ensure relevant external communications are shared in an appropriate and timely manner internally; your own communication style and organisational skills will come into play here

Engagement

  • You’ll be developing and implementing initiatives, programs, and events to enhance team member engagement
  • You’ll lead the AFL’s Reward & Recognition program including Speccy Awards, Marque Moments, and Shout-Outs
  • And you’ll lead employee engagement surveys including design, participation and playback of results with a lens on opportunities for improvement and further engagement of the AFL workforce

Office Experience

  • You’ll be consistently providing leadership and support to the Office Experience Manager to ensure daily operations at AFL House support team member wellbeing, personal productivity, and organisational effectiveness

Other Responsibilities

  • Proactively support the development and delivery of our PlayWell Strategic initiatives as part of our health and wellbeing agenda
  • Regularly support the delivery of our National Induction Sessions

OUR IDEAL TEAM MEMBER

The person who lands this role will be someone who has exceptional skills in relationship building from the ground up, is an expert communicator across multiple mediums and a wanted team player who can pivot between strategic thinking, managing others and contributing to project initiatives to deliver on-point messaging. From fun and engaging team events to all staff strategic engagement activities there’s nothing dull here!Familiarity with managing through change will go a long way with this one; we’re looking ahead to some new and positive changes so the ability to embrace those and craft messaging for, and in support of, our leaders and workforce will be valuable.So, if you’re reading the following and it sounds like we’re describing YOU then we recommend you get in touch asap. We’re progressing people as we find them, so don’t wait. And if it’s not for you right now that’s ok too.

Core Competencies

  • It goes without saying that you’re a naturally great communicator and love crafting creative, engaging, and informative messages for diverse audiences. This is the crux of the gig and to be honest it’s likely a big part of who you are and why you’re here reading this!
  • You’ve had solid experience working across a range of industries but you’re ready for something unique to take your career to the next level, not more of the same
  • Aside from your impressive written and verbal communication skills, you’re known for your creative and innovative thinking skills; you can cite multiple examples where you’ve injected it to drive engagement in the right direction
  • Through previous roles, while experiencing shifting priorities and organisational changes, you’ve embraced and managed existing and new internal communications channels. You’re across the latest and most effective platforms with this and enjoy evolving the tools you and your team can leverage to get the best results
  • You’re comfortable using a range of software platforms and technologies to get the job done and are familiar with (preferably) using and administering Workplace by Meta and Microsoft Office tools including Sharepoint
  • Part of what you enjoy and value about a role like this is measuring, analysing, and evaluating relevant communications data. You understand that informing your decisions from data and results on the regular is good practice (and necessary!) to create meaningful messaging that lands with your audiences
  • One of your superpowers is your ability to balance multiple competing priorities and projects, you’re comfortable with ambiguity and can pivot between tasks quickly, leading and supporting others through the change in direction
  • You can successfully connect and understand a truly diverse range of stakeholders, whether they’re based remotely, locally or they’re executives or volunteers. You have a style that puts people at ease and allows them to trust you to get their key messages and stories heard
  • Reputation matters to you, and you instinctively understand that the person in this role will always represent and advocate for the AFL brand and values, in and out of work environments
  • You’re familiar with handling confidential and sensitive information for individuals, employees, the organisation, and external stakeholders. Put it this way, if we asked someone who knows you, they’d say that Integrity was one of your top character traits! Part of this is keeping a lens on reputational risk for the organisation you represent, and this comes naturally to you.
  • You’ve led a team or individuals previously and would love the opportunity again. You’re the type of people leader who’s collaborative and respectful and can provide direction and sound advice but you understand that taking on work yourself, autonomously, is still necessary, and you still enjoy being hands on
  • You’re ready and motivated for your next career step and all-in when you find the right thing. People would use these words describing you if we asked them; Great Communicator (of course!), Honest, Engaging, Positive, Creative, Professional, Authentic, Storyteller, Team Player, Natural Leader
  • You’re not looking for more of the same (sure there’s other ‘corporate comms’ roles out there) and you’d like to showcase more of your authentic self and style at work somewhere new; you’re still the consummate professional but keen to keep it real

Experience And Qualifications

  • Communications and/or Engagement Manager experience – we’re looking for some solid years here (5+) preferably across a range of industries in medium to large organisations. We’re wanting someone who’s previously led or owned delivery of key messaging against strategy and managed other team members. Bonus points if you’ve dealt with Senior Leaders, remote and regional stakeholders!
  • Tertiary qualifications in Communications, Public Relations, or a similar field with experience that’s a match

OUR CULTURE

Please visit www.afl.com.au/careers/our-organisationWe are proudly a WORK180 endorsed employer for women, to see the great benefits that the AFL offers, please visit https://work180.com/en-au/for-women/employer/afl

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
  • AFL Silver Memberships – permanent team members can access AFL matches at Marvel Stadium and the MCG, enjoy, and share the experience of our game with your family and friends!

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.

  • 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
  • AFL Silver Memberships – permanent team members can access AFL matches at Marvel Stadium and the MCG, enjoy, and share the experience of our game with your family and friends!

Membership Club Support Coordinator – AFL

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

12-month Maximum Term Position

The AFL Club Membership Services team provides support for the AFL and AFL Clubs, playing a central role in membership program support, database operations and leading growth strategies to achieve industry membership revenue and volume targets.The primary function of this role is delivery of membership database platform support including system setup, account management, data analysis and reporting. While technical expertise will be highly valued, strong communication and collaboration skills are essential as this role works closely with club membership teams to support their annual programs and initiatives.As part of the platform support, this role will help facilitate member ticketing, match access and compliance.

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF

Key Accountabilities

  • Working in an energized, engaged team on supporting the growth of Club and AFL memberships across the AFL industry 
  • Deliver accurate and timely operational support across key phases of the membership cycle, including renewal, fulfilment, entitlements and payment plan management. 
  • Provide membership database support to clubs, including system setup, product builds, inventory management, data analysis and reporting. 
  • Develop strong working relationships with membership and ticketing staff at AFL clubs, understanding their business drivers and campaign needs, and providing systems and database training as required 
  • Support industry projects that drive member/fan engagement, attendance and membership growth 
  • Focus on operational efficiencies and advancing membership technology 
  • Contribute to key projects within and outside of core role 

OUR IDEAL TEAM MEMBER 

Core Competencies

  • Data savvy, with analytical skills and experience managing database or CRM systems 
  • Ability to build strong working relationships, including highly effective communication skills 
  • Experience in providing a database support in helpdesk environment, preferably in a membership-based organisation 
  • Understanding of membership database (eg. Ticketmaster Archtics) and ticketing systems and processes will be highly regarded, but not essential. 
  • A problem solver and team player 
  • Process orientated, with demonstrated attention to detail 

OUR CULTURE

Please visit www.afl.com.au/careers/our-organisationWe are proudly a WORK180 endorsed employer for women, to see the great benefits that the AFL offers, please visit https://work180.com/en-au/for-women/employer/afl

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 

COVID-19We care deeply for our people at the AFL with our primary focus being to provide a safe and healthy workplace for all. We strongly encourage and support all AFL team members to be vaccinated (including by receiving booster doses as recommended by the Relevant Authority and/or ATAGI). I n addition, we’re committed to utilising other preventative health and safety measures as appropriate and/or as directed by Relevant Authorities to reduce the risk of contracting and transmitting COVID-19 in our workplaces.

Partnerships Lead – AFL

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. 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 required to manage the AFL’s relationship with key Corporate Partners with direct leadership for a team of Partnerships Senior Account Managers / Account Managers / Account Coordinators (also responsible for Corporate Partner management).

The role is required to develop a broad understanding of each partner’s business and clear understanding of their specific objectives behind their AFL partnership. The position is responsible for delivering best in class commercial partnerships and developing strategies to achieve Partner objectives while in tandem delivering positive outcomes for fans and the AFL.

The successful candidate will have overall responsibility, in conjunction with the Head of Commercial Partnerships, for shaping the Partnership strategy and setting the commercial objectives which will support the Partnerships Team to deliver mutually agreed KPIs.

This successful candidate will work as one with AFL State Partnerships Manager and Marvel Stadium Partnerships Lead to inspire a team of Senior Account Managers/ Account Managers/Coordinators to deliver great results and ensure delivery of integrated and cohesive Partnerships across the entire AFL Ecosystem.

The ability to build strong relationships with key members of AFL departments, plus key members of each partner managed is a critical component of this role.

Day to day sponsorship leverage, public relations, marketing and promotional support to deliver on partner objectives to demonstrate strong ROI is critical.

The role will work pro-actively with the Head of Partnerships and Head of Sales to identify leverage opportunities to enhance their existing partnership and provide support and advice to the Corporate Sales team to collaboratively work together on strategically relevant incremental investment opportunities for partners.

From time to time the role requires after hours or weekend hosting duties.

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF

Key Accountabilities

  • The position will be responsible for the AFL fulfilling its contractual responsibilities to key partners in relation to elite AFL and AFLW Competitions and Official AFL Properties and Programs. 
  • Proactively initiate and drive joint marketing programs and delivering mutually beneficial outcomes to partners and the AFL 
  • Manage holistic Corporate Partner budgeting and operations as well as stakeholder engagement across a range of AFL Events 
  • Management of 10 team members, Senior Account Managers / Account Managers / Account Coordinators 
  • Oversee and support business relationships between the AFL and each partner 
  • Ensure Senior/Account Managers/Coordinators , yearly objectives of each partnership and key KPI’s are established together with management of ongoing reporting / tracking against objectives 
  • Ensure the Partnerships Team continually monitor and review partner contractual benefits and conjunction with the Sales Team pro-actively create and present ideas to partners to most effectively utilize and deliver against set objectives 
  • Ensure effective compilation and presentation of market research and analysis data 
  • Ensure the successful delivery of weekly, major mid-season & post season presentations for each Corporate Partner 
  • Assist in renewal discussions with partners when applicable 
  • Work with the Head of Partnerships to set the agenda and drive the team’s high performance culture

OUR IDEAL TEAM MEMBER 

Core Competencies

  • Relevant tertiary qualifications in business, marketing or related discipline 
  • 3-5 years’ experience in a sales/marketing/sponsorship management/agency 
  • Understanding of commercial media 
  • Understanding of strategic marketing processes 
  • Experience in analysing market information and developing reports 
  • Competence in a range of computer programs 
  • Proven experience leading a team with an ability to prioritise work and hit team agreed KPI’s
  • Ability to understand, manage and deliver budget requirements
  • Superior communication skills – written, verbal and presentation skills 
  • Outstanding customer service and relationship management skills 
  • Ability to build strong working relationships within the corporate environment 
  • Results and performance driven 
  • Personal effectiveness 
  • ability to influence, collaborate, and engage
  • Self-Motivated 
  • Ability to work well in a team environment 
  • Demonstrate enthusiastic, mature and proactive attitude 
  • Understanding of the AFL Competition , desirable

OUR CULTURE

Please visit www.afl.com.au/careers/our-organisation

We are proudly a WORK180 endorsed employer for women, to see the great benefits that the AFL offers, please visit https://work180.com/en-au/for-women/employer/afl

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
  • AFL Silver Memberships – permanent team members can access AFL matches at Marvel Stadium and the MCG, enjoy and share the experience of our game with your family and friends!

COVID-19

We care deeply for our people at the AFL with our primary focus being to provide a safe and healthy workplace for all. We strongly encourage and support all AFL team members to be vaccinated (including by receiving booster doses as recommended by the Relevant Authority and/or ATAGI). In addition, we’re committed to utilising other preventative health and safety measures as appropriate and/or as directed by Relevant Authorities to reduce the risk of contracting and transmitting COVID-19 in our workplaces.

Applications Close: 28 February 2023