- Want to work in the sporting industry?
- Do you enjoy working collaboratively in an energetic environment?
- Want to make a difference in the football community?

About us:

WA Football is the peak Australian Rules Football body in Western Australia and plays a key leadership, governance and funding role to football throughout the State, whilst also driving the overall development and growth of the sport.

WA Football is a not-for-profit organisation that plays an important role in the on-going development of football across all communities.

We are passionate about what we do and the people we work with. Our setting is welcoming, diverse, collaborative and team driven.

Our values:

Our organisational values are front and centre of everything we do. Every service we provide, every interaction we have, and every employee behaviour provides evidence and validates these values:

- Integrity
- Belonging
- Growth

Working at the WA Football is more than just a job, you will be joining our football family, you will love what you do and the people you work with.

KEY FOCUS OF THIS POSITION (Why this job exists):

The Executive Manager - Performance Pathways & Development is a critical executive role responsible for implementing the West Australian Football Commission's (WAF) vision and strategy to optimise talent identification and development for football in Western Australia.

We are seeking a strategic leader with expertise in talent identification and high-performance programming.

This role requires a synergistic approach to deliver the most sophisticated and contemporary AFL/AFLW talent pathways in Australia, ensuring equitable opportunities and accessibility for all boys and girls aspiring to play Australian rules football.

This role is responsible for overseeing academy programs and establishing high-performance hubs, driving talent identification, player well-being, and retention strategies, promoting coach development, and leveraging technology to grow talent identification in WA, leading to increased drafting of AFL/AFLW talent and improved talent and performance in the WAFL/WAFLW.

About you:

You are a motivational and influential leader of people with a sports science, talent development or coaching background. You will have proven experience in high-performance sport, with a focus on talent development and pathway management, with an emphasis on inclusivity and equity.



You have a deep understanding of the sporting landscape in Australia, including the challenges of regional training environments as well as the opportunities in player development. You have experience in technology integration for talent identification and performance monitoring. You will have been in a management or executive role previously that also has extensive interaction with coaches, athletes and external stakeholders.

Key Portfolio Responsiblities:

- Talent Identification and Development
- High Performance Hubs
- Colts & Rogers Cup Player Pathways
- Talent Academy & Carnivals
- Coach Development & Education
- Playre Retention & Wellbeing
- Technology & Innovation
- Executive Leadership
- Stakeholder Management

Competencies Required for this Position:

Technical Knowledge

Executive-level understanding of AFL/AFLW talent systems, competitive structures, high-performance environments, player wellbeing, and performance metrics, with the ability to translate technical insight into organisational strategy, investment priorities, and measurable pathway outcomes.

Computer Knowledge

Demonstrated capability to lead the selection, integration, governance, and effective use of data analytics, talent management platforms, and performance monitoring systems to improve decision-making, accountability, and pathway performance.

Effective Communication

Highly developed communication and influencing skills, with the ability to engage confidently with the Board, Executive Leadership Team, AFL/AFLW stakeholders, clubs, government, community partners, athletes, coaches, administrators, and culturally diverse communities.

Client/Stakeholder Focus

Proven ability to build, influence, and sustain strategic relationships across football, government, community, education, commercial, and high-performance sport sectors, ensuring stakeholder alignment with WAF’s mission, strategic objectives, and pathway outcomes.

Teamwork

Proven ability to lead enterprise-wide collaboration,



aligning internal teams, direct reports, clubs, partners, and external stakeholders around shared priorities, clear accountability, and high-quality outcomes.

Initiative

Demonstrated ability to anticipate emerging pathways, performance, participation, and stakeholder challenges, and to lead transformational improvements that strengthen talent outcomes, system capability, operational effectiveness, and long-term sustainability.

Planning and Organising

Demonstrated ability to lead complex, multi-year strategic and operational planning across the Colts/Rogers’ Cup Competition, Talent Academy, and other pathways, including aligned programs, budgets, partners, risks, geographically dispersed stakeholders, and performance measures.

Analytical Power

Advanced analytical capability, with the ability to interpret player, program, financial, workforce, and system performance data, generate actionable insights, and provide evidence-based advice to support executive decision-making, Board reporting, and strategic investment.

Judgement

Sound executive judgement, with the ability to make evidence-informed decisions that balance strategic priorities, financial stewardship, risk, governance, athlete wellbeing, stakeholder expectations, and the long-term interests of football in Western Australia.

Problem Solving

Sound executive judgement, with the ability to make evidence-informed decisions that balance strategic priorities, financial stewardship, risk, governance, athlete wellbeing, stakeholder expectations, and the long-term interests of football in Western Australia.

Application process:

You are encouraged to access a full detailed Position Description by emailing ••••@wafootball.com.au. We encourage you to visit our website https://www.wafootball.com.au/

All applicants will be required to present a current Police Clearance (no older than six months) and valid Working With Children Card.

Applicants are required to submit a cover letter and resume online via SEEK. Applications close Monday 5th October 5.00pm

WA Football is committed to equal chance in employment and the principles of diversity. Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, people with a disability and people from culturally diverse backgrounds.

📌 Executive Manager Performance Pathways and Development (Tuart Hill)
🏢 WA Football
📍 Tuart Hill