About us
The Essendon Football Club – “The Bombers” – are a professional sporting organisation in the Australian Football League, home to several teams, including AFL, AFLW, VFL, VFLW and Wheelchair Football programs. But we’re more than the game. At Essendon, unity binds us. We firmly believe that our strength comes from standing together as One Club, embracing our rich diversity, and uniting around a shared purpose. Our passion fuels every kick, every play, and every decision.
The essence of the Essendon legacy is deeply woven into the fabric of the Australian sporting calendar, through significant events such as the ANZAC Day and Dreamtime clashes, underscoring our commemoration and connection to national identity. Our heritage sets us apart, shaping our ethos and inspiring our journey. We strive to be better every day, pushing the boundaries and relentlessly pursuing excellence. But amidst the intensity of competition, respect remains paramount. We care about our impact on others, whether it’s our teammates, opponents, or our community. When we ‘Don the Sash’, we do so with unity, passion, excellence, and respect guiding our every move, Always Striving toward our next triumph on the premiership stage.
About the role
This role is all about shaping a football environment that feels culturally safe, inviting and appealing to current and prospective First Nations players. You’ll help set the foundations — from daily interactions to long term programs — so that First Nations women and girls can see a future for themselves at Essendon and feel confident stepping into it.
You’ll guide how cultural knowledge, respectful practice and genuine connection are woven through our Club, with emphasis on our AFLW, VFLW and Pathway programs, ensuring our people understand what cultural safety looks and feels like. Your leadership will help us create an environment that feels warm, grounded and genuinely open to First Nations players and families.
In the role you will:
- Champion the Club’s First Nations Strategy and guide meaningful cultural initiatives
- Create environments of safety, belonging and trust for First Nations women in elite sport
- Walk alongside players and their families to support wellbeing, transition, connection and growth
- Strengthen the Club’s cultural capability through training, leadership and education
- Build collaborative, respectful relationships with Elders, community leaders and service providers
- Facilitate cultural practices and activities such as Yarning Circles, mentorship and ceremonial support
- Partner closely with Player Welfare, P&C, Football Operations and our AFLM Indigenous Player Development Manager
- Support AFLW players entering the elite environment for the first time, ensuring they feel grounded, informed and culturally safe
About you
You bring calm, warmth and cultural authority. You are someone people naturally trust — someone who listens first, understands deeply and responds with care. You will thrive here if you have:
- Lived experience and a strong understanding of First Nations cultures, community dynamics and contemporary issues
- Experience supporting individuals and families with sensitivity and discretion
- Confidence navigating complex wellbeing, transition and community based conversations
- The ability to build rapport with players, families, staff and Elders with ease
- Excellent communication and conflict management skills, grounded in respect and empathy
- Strong organisational instincts and the ability to stay steady in fast moving environments
- A passion for strengthening pathways for women and girls in sport
- High levels of integrity and a genuine commitment to developing people
This is an Aboriginal Designated Position (special measures) and is open to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants.
To Apply
Please submit your application as soon as possible as shortlisting will commence immediately. Please include in your cover letter why you are a great fit for this role, and why you want to work with Essendon Football Club. Cover letters should be no more than one page and outline what you can bring to this position.
With our commitment to promoting and protecting the safety and wellbeing of children and young people in our care, we undertake several screening processes to ensure this commitment is upheld. This includes ensuring all our people hold a valid employee Working with Children/Vulnerable People check and a satisfactory criminal history record check.
All applications will be treated with respect and confidentiality, including timely responses.
We politely ask not to be approached by recruitment agencies at this time.
