About Us
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 clear 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 Program, strengthening
connection, belonging, and on-field success across the Club.
- Further embed
effective feedback mechanisms, cultivating a growth mindset and a culture of
continuous improvement across players and staff.
- Ensure consistent,
transparent communication with players and staff to keep all stakeholders
informed of program priorities, expectations, and performance.
- Set and uphold clear
behavioural standards across the program, reinforcing a culture of
professionalism and accountability.
- Continue to champion and advocate for the integration of the
Women’s Program, strengthening connection, belonging, and on-field success
across the Club.
Football Operations and Compliance
- Oversee and forecast
Total Player Payments (TPP) to ensure compliance with AFL regulations and
internal budget parameters, including the negotiation of responsible player
contracts with third-party representatives (player managers) in collaboration
with the Chief Operations Officer and General Manager of Football.
- Manage all staff
contracting processes within the women’s program, ensuring alignment with the
annual budget and leading the negotiation of new and renewed contracts.
- Maintain
comprehensive knowledge of, and adherence to, all AFL and AFLPA rules and
regulations, including the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), and policies
relating to medical, supplements, gambling, and illicit drugs.
- Represent the Club at
AFL and AFLPA forums and meetings relating to women’s football, advocating for
the Club’s position and contributing to the broader direction of the
competition.
- Prepare and deliver
reports and documentation to the Club’s Board of Directors, providing clear
insights into the activities, performance, and key decisions of the women’s
football department.
- Act as a key media
representative for the women’s program, managing communications and responding
to enquiries relating to football operations.
What are we looking for in the role?
- Demonstrated
experience within the AFL industry or elite sport environment, with strong
operational knowledge of AFLW. Previous senior leadership experience within an
AFL Club is highly desirable.
- Proven ability to
build, lead and sustain high-performance environments, driving excellence
across all aspects of a program.
- An inspiring and
effective leader, with a demonstrated ability to motivate and develop teams
through coaching, mentoring and tailored development initiatives.
- Strong financial
acumen, including experience managing budgets, assessing financial implications
in decision-making, and operating within established parameters.
- Adaptable and
forward-thinking, with a continuous improvement mindset and the ability to
navigate and lead through change.
- Highly developed
communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to analyse,
synthesise and present insights through clear verbal and written reporting to
senior stakeholders, including the General Manager of Football, CEO and Board.
- Exceptional emotional
intelligence, with the ability to build trust, listen effectively, and bring
out the best in others.
- A leader of
integrity, who makes sound, values-based decisions and sets the standard for
ethical behaviour.
- Ability to drive
accountability and performance, fostering a growth mindset and maintaining high
standards within a high-performance sporting environment.
- Proven capability to
manage highly sensitive and confidential information with discretion. Self-motivated
and purpose-driven, with a genuine passion for AFLW and its impact on the
broader community.
- Relevant tertiary
qualifications in Business Management or a related discipline are desirable.
Culture & Benefits
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, retail & partnership discounts, working in a world- class
sporting amenity.
How to Apply
Please submit your application addressed to the Head of
People, Culture and Inclusion via employment@carltonfc.com.au by
Thursday 4 June. A full position description can be provided upon
request.
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. 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 and valid Police Check as part of their employment with the Club.
