WHO ARE WE

Our vision is for football in Queensland to be united. For football to be the game of choice, for all, for life. Football Queensland, as the governing body for football in Queensland, exists to develop and grow the game at all levels by leading and supporting our clubs, volunteers, coaches, referees and stakeholders to provide exciting and enjoyable experiences for all Queenslanders - anytime, anywhere. Football Queensland also deliver player development pathways and manage the premier football competitions across the state.

So, whoever you are, whatever your age, wherever you are from, whatever your story, football has the power to inspire and unite.

Primary Purpose of Role

The FQ Academy Director and Club Development and Assessment is a leadership role responsible for the overall management, growth, promotion and quality assurance of Football Queensland’s Statewide FQ Academy program and Club Development services. 

The role will enable and execute the continual evolution, development, and delivery of the FQ Academy system, providing a pipeline of advanced players into the Boys and Girls State Team programs. The role will also oversee FQ’s Club Development and Assessment Unit and the delivery of FQ’s Club Development strategy and the Club Assessment function. 

The role will be tasked with developing and executing FQ policies and procedures to guide the FQ Academy system delivering and fostering an enjoyable and professional atmosphere, where players, coaches, and FQ staff thrive on their development journey. 

The role requires high levels of collaboration, at all levels, across multiple Football Queensland departments in particular the FQ Customer Experience Unit and leadership of a positive, player, customer and club - centric environment, focused on talent identification, player development and club development success.  

The 2023-2026 Football Queensland (FQ) One Football Strategic Plan “Anytime, Anywhere” identifies the following key strategic pillars and focuses that the FQ Academy Director and Club Development & Assessment Manager will assist in delivering outcomes for all of FQ’s Strategic Pillars. 

For further information you can view the 2023-2026 Football Queensland Strategic Plan on the Football Queensland website, www.footballqueensland.com.au

Key Areas of Responsibility

The FQ Academy Director and Club Development and Assessment will be required to:

FQ Academy

Develop and implement the FQ Academy's vision, mission, and operational strategy as a successful youth boys and girls FQ academy that will produce high-quality players with the goal of integrating them into FQ State Team programs. 
Maintain FQ Academy core values and philosophy, providing guidance and a high-quality football experience for young players both on and off the field 
Develop and maintain clear structures, policies, and processes that support the success of players, player families, and staff while aligning with FQ’s on-field methodology and off-field code of conduct.  
In conjunction with the Customer Experience Team, oversee all aspects of the FQ Academy's operations, including coaching recruitment and staff management.
Manage the academy's budget, ensuring financial sustainability and responsible spending.  
Build and maintain strong relationships and outstanding levels of transparent communication with parents, staff, community members, and other stakeholders
Build and foster an enjoyable, inclusive, and collaborative environment that encourages the personal and professional growth of players and staff, and one that reflects FQ Academy core values and learning based methodology. 
Promote open communication between players, coaches, and families, ensuring transparency and trust within the academy
Represent the FQ Academy at all events and activities, and act as the FQ Academy public facing spokesperson.
Ensure all policies, practices, and procedures relating to the safeguarding of young people are implemented and updated annually
Build relationships with local clubs, schools, and community programs to create a robust and diverse talent pipeline.  
Oversee the recruitment process of new academy players, to ensure each FQ Academy centre meets its budgeted quota and growth targets
Work with FQ’s Technical teams to support their strategic functions and processes which identify and recruit talented players into the FQ Academy system and support their development of any required programs or carnivals to support player growth and development
Implement a long-term strategy for success for the FQ Academy in line with FQ’s Strategic Plan KPI’s
Provide feedback on FQ Academy centre infrastructure and equipment to ensure FQ Academy participants achieve their full potential and identify cost effective ways to improve facilities 
Build and foster an enjoyable, inclusive, and collaborative environment that encourages the personal and professional growth of players and staff, and one that reflects FQ Academy core values and learning based methodology.

Club Development and Assessment

Manage and guide the Club Assessment Unit (CAU) and the Club Development Unit (CDU) via regular meetings and other strategies to ensure that timelines are adhered to.   
Be a point of contact for any red flag areas or issues that need strategic and communicable directives 
Ensure that the CAU acts with integrity and that all reasonable measures are taken to ensure parity in club assessments through tier 1 and tier 2. 
Drive the delivery of the Club Assessment Unit – keeping CDAs and Clubs on track to a deliverable timeline through appropriate communication and meetings. 
Deliver the club assessment process in conjunction with the club assessment unit.  
Update clubs and communicate with them regarding upcoming meetings, deadlines, and educational events.  
Manage the composition of preliminary scoring reports to clubs as well as review and outcome reports. 
Assist in the general delivery of club assessment and club development processes. 
Assist the data collection of the yearly assessment and plan the delivery of support and development for Clubs via a series of activities and educational events (document review, brainstorming, small groups meeting, workshop and webinars, shared best practice, etc.)
Assist and guide the Club Development Unit (CDU) in their delivery of both bespoke and general development services to clubs. 
Oversee the yearly screening process for Club entering the system or progressing from Tier 2 to Tier 1.

Key Performance Measures

Management of all FQ Academy Club Development and Assessments including red flag issues and or breaches of FQ Memo / license agreements. 
Ensuring the Club Development and Club Assessment Units are on time with assessment delivery and does not fall behind milestone dates. 
Club Development and Assessments are completed within milestone dates and reporting provided to Senior Managers – with appropriate flagging / reporting systems designed and adhered to. 
Club Ambassadors supported their delivery of club assessment processes through diligent data collection, reporting and upkeep. 
Ensuring that planned Club Development activities are delivered to meet agreed targets.
As directed all internal reporting and data analysis feedback to senior managers in a timely manner. 
All FQ Academy advanced club assessments completed according to the published processes and milestone dates and communicated on time.

Key Selection Criteria

The following skills and qualifications are preferred:

Tertiary Qualifications Business, Business Administration or Sports Management
Experience or knowledge of the Football industry and landscape is desired
An understanding of Football in QLD, the governance model and regions
Demonstrated experience in developing strategies to increase participation and retention rates in an Academy
Demonstrated ability to prioritise work and manage several tasks simultaneously both independently and in a team-orientated collaborative environment
Maturity and experience in dealing with stakeholders of the game
Demonstrated administrative and organisational skills, including oral and written communication skills and personal presentation
Ability to use Microsoft Office 365 and Dynamics (incl. Word, Excel, power Point etc.) and social media platforms.
Able to initiate new relationships, build rapport quickly and have the knowledge of dealing with professional administrators and importantly, referees & volunteers
Excellent presentation and communication skills including phone, face to face, email, video call and direct messaging services
Attention to detail and accuracy

Driver’s Licence

The following skills and qualifications are desirable: 

Experience in working with volunteers and a wide variety of stakeholders
Current First Aid Certificate
Working towards the next level of formal coach accreditation (Diploma)

The following are required:

Must have a blue card (Working with Children Check) or be willing to get one
Current and valid driver’s license  
The right to work full time within Australia
Adhere to all FQ Policy and Procedures

How to Apply:

Click 'Quick Apply'

Applications close at 11.59pm on Wednesday, 7th May 2025.

Football Queensland Ltd

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