Carlton Football Club is one of Australia’s oldest and most prominent sporting institutions. Founded in 1864, the Club’s headquarters and high-performance facilities are based at IKON Park in Carlton, our traditional home ground.

Following the completion of the IKON Park redevelopment, we are proud to offer state-of-the-art facilities that underpin our high-performance environment. This historic project was driven by a commitment to provide elite training and competition facilities for women that are equal to those of their male counterparts.

The Club’s AFLW program was established in 2017 as part of the inaugural AFLW competition, with Carlton one of the eight foundation teams. As the competition has expanded into a truly national league, AFLW continues to create significant growth opportunities and pathways for our athletes. We remain deeply committed to the continued success and evolution of our AFLW program, both on and off the field.

We are equally passionate about our role in the community, fostering an inclusive and welcoming culture where our values guide everything we do.

About the Role

The Head of AFLW is a key leadership role responsible for leading the Club’s women’s football program and department. Reporting to the General Manager of Football, the role is accountable for fostering a high-performance environment through strong, values-driven leadership, and for setting and upholding clear standards across the entire department.

Success in this role will be defined by the ability to deliver a strategic and analytical approach to planning and decision-making that drives sustained high performance. This includes the effective management of football operations and the leadership of a connected,



purpose-driven and high-performing AFLW playing group and program.

The Head of AFLW will lead a team committed to excellence in every aspect of its operations, aligned with Carlton’s core values: Respect, United, Integrity, Humility, Relentless and Excellence.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Capability & Program Development

- Lead the development and execution of the Club’s vision and operational plan for the AFLW program, encompassing all aspects of the women’s football department. This includes coaching and performance analysis, player fitness and skill development, budget and resource allocation, recruitment and list management, as well as the professional and personal development of players and staff. It also spans player welfare, medical and allied health services, and departmental structure, staffing and administration.
- Regularly assess program performance, providing data-informed insights and recommendations to support continuous improvement and sustained high performance.
- Oversee the strategic direction and implementation of frameworks across the women’s program, including talent identification and recruitment, player retention and contracting, list management, and financial planning, budgeting and forecasting. This also includes responsibility for football operations systems, technology, coaching and support resources, facilities enhancement,



sports science initiatives, and player education and leadership development.
- Advocate for and represent the AFLW program at a senior level, driving whole-of-club alignment, support and capability.

Talent Strategy, List Management and Pathways

- Lead and own the Club’s multi-year AFLW list strategy, ensuring a forward-looking, sustainable, and competitive approach to building and maintaining a elite and high performing squad.
- Shape and execute a forward-looking talent strategy that balances immediate performance needs with long-term list development and succession planning.
- Oversee all aspects of list management, including player acquisition, retention, contracting strategy, and list composition.
- Drive best-practice talent identification processes, ensuring the Club consistently identifies, attracts, and secures high-potential talent.
- Lead the integration and optimisation of the Carlton Academy and broader talent pathways, strengthening alignment between development programs and AFLW list needs.
- Monitor market trends, competitor activity, and emerging talent pipelines to inform strategic decision-making and maintain a competitive edge.

Leading and Sustaining a High-Performance Environment

- Sustain high standards, drive team performance, and foster an environment in which players can consistently thrive.
- Lead, support and hold the coaching group accountable for delivering high-performance standards, including transparent expectations, regular performance review, and constructive feedback mechanisms to optimise coaching effectiveness and on-field outcomes.
- Continue to champion and advocate for the integration of the Women’s Prog

📌 Head of AFLW (Melbourne)
🏢 Carlton Football Club
📍 Melbourne