About Netball Australia
Netball Australia (NA) is the driving force behind netball in Australia, shaping the game from grassroots to greatness. As a proud member of World Netball (WN), NA oversees national teams, the elite Suncorp Super Netball league, and fosters the sport at every level – from local courts to the global stage. For nearly 100 years, NA has led, inspired, and supported a myriad of opportunities for thousands of communities and millions of Australians to play, deliver, watch, and ultimately love our sport.
With over 8.2 million Australians interested in netball, and over 4 million considered to be core fans of Suncorp Super Netball, our game is in great shape with the incredible success of our elite competitions propelling strong participation and fanbase growth domestically and globally.
We are rightly proud of our heritage, our standing, and our successes. Few teams in any sport, and even fewer organisations in any industry, enjoy the position and the positive pressure of being No. 1 in the World! You will be joining a team of passionate individuals who take pride in their skills, love what they do and thoroughly enjoy being part of making Netball one of the most loved sports in Australia. On the cusp of our centenary, and significant opportunity leading into the 2027 Netball World Cup in Sydney, there has never been a more exciting time to join.
About the Role
The Head of Partnerships at Netball Australia is responsible for fostering, managing, and growing relationships with Netball Australia’s corporate partners and stakeholders who support netball at all levels, from grassroots (Woolworths NetSetGo) to elite competition (Suncorp Super Netball, Australian Diamonds) to maximise mutual business benefits and opportunities, and grow the game of netball in Australia.
In this role you will be responsible for the following key areas:
Partnership Management
- Overall management of Netball Australia commercial partnerships and Partnerships Team to ensure delivery of sponsorship commitments and ensure leverage plans are aligned to NA objectives
- Deliver to partners strategy, execution, and analysis and deliver on their brand and business objectives / priorities
- Lead and manage the Partnerships Team with the establishment of KPI’s and objectives for each partner and ensure the team maintains continuous communication ensuring KPI’s and objectives are met as per established timelines
- Lead the renewal strategy for all existing partners in consultation and collaboration with the GM Commercial and Head of Business Development / Commercial Sales Manager to maximise mutual business benefit
- Oversee and assist with a detailed understanding of all commercial partners’ marketing plans, brand values and target audience and develop, deliver, and review creative concepts for partners to deliver enhanced leveraging opportunities and increase revenue for the business
- Work with internal teams (Marketing, Media/PR, Events, Participation / Community team etc) to ensure partnerships are integrated into broader business strategies
- Evaluate the effectiveness of commercial partnerships and make recommendations for improvement
- Manage annual Partner Forum with wider team and stakeholder engagement, fulfilment and delivery of event
- Support Senior Partnership Leads to liaise between the Events team and the Partnerships team regarding all match day and contracted deliverables for partners across Suncorp Super Netball League, International Test Series, Australian Netball Championships and other netball related events
- Manage post event reporting and ensure Senior Partnership Leads fulfil all reporting requirements
- Communicate well, maintain good business relationships, and represent Netball Australia positively
- Keep up with and identify trends in the sporting industry both locally and globally to help identify new partnership opportunities and ways to uplift and elevate existing partnerships within netball
Financial Management
- Oversee partner revenue forecasting, invoicing and financial reporting.
- Manage partnership-related payments to Member Organisations where required.
- Contribute to the development, monitoring and management of partnership budgets.
- Ensure the Partnerships Team maintains accurate and effective budget management for all accounts.
Contract & Partnership Management
- Maintain a comprehensive understanding of all partnership agreements to support effective delivery across the team.
- Lead partnership renewals, including preparation of renewal documentation and identification of growth opportunities, in collaboration with the leadership team.
Leadership & Team Development
- Lead, coach and support the Partnerships Team to ensure clarity of role, delivery and performance.
- Foster a high-performing, collaborative and values-led team culture.
- Support team members’ professional development, career planning and personal growth.
- Align team activities with the broader
- Strategy, including annual business planning, KPIs and performance management.
Staff Development
- Manage the Partnership Team and ensure they have the support to fulfill their roles
- Contribute to building a high performing culture across the Organisation
- Help support individual team member career goals and personal growth and development
- Alignment with the broader department Commercial Strategy
- Business Plan and KPI development and management
About You
Key Attributes, Skills and Qualifications:
- 7+ years’ experience in partnerships, commercial, business development or stakeholder management roles, with at least 3-5 years leading teams.
- Proven track record in managing and growing high-value commercial partnerships, ideally within the sport, events or entertainment sectors.
- Tertiary qualification in Business, Marketing, Communications, Sport Management or a related discipline (or equivalent experience).
- Strong people leadership, including coaching, performance management, and team development across a multi-disciplinary group.
- Excellent stakeholder engagement, relationship-building and influencing skills, with the ability to partner effectively with a dynamic executive team.
- Demonstrated initiative, judgement and proactive problem-solving, with the ability to navigate ambiguity and adapt in a fast-paced environment.
- High level of integrity, credibility and alignment to the organisation’s mission and values.
- Strong resilience, flexibility and the ability to work collaboratively to deliver organisation-wide outcomes.
- Research shows that while men apply to jobs when they meet an average of 60% of the criteria, women and other marginalised groups tend to only apply when they check every box. If you think you have what it takes, but don’t necessarily meet every single point above, please still get in touch. We’d love to have a chat and see if you could be a great fit.
What We Offer
- Vibrant Culture: A supportive, inclusive, high-energy, and values-driven team with a passion for our sport
- Play the Day Your Way: Flexibility to work from home alongside office connection days, based on role requirements.
- Employee Wellbeing: Additional Wellbeing Leave, Flu Vaccinations & Skin Checks
- Paid Parental Leave, Fertility Leave, Birthday Leave
- Up to 40% off New Balance, and the opportunity to attend Netball matches
- Pets in the Office Fridays, and free breakfast on-site
The role is based at Netball’s Head Office in Fitzroy/Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung country where you will be spoilt for choice on great coffee spots! Given the unique nature of the sports industry, and the domestic & global reach of our organisation, travelling and working outside of Netball HQ and traditional office hours may be required. Our teams work flexibly, and we encourage the successful applicant to discuss flexible working options with their new Manager.
We shortlist great candidates as they are identified and reserve the right to fill this role prior to the advertisement expiry so if this sounds like you, and we hope it does – please submit your application as soon as possible. We do not take for granted the high volume of applications we receive, but please be aware this means we are only able to contact shortlisted candidates. Our recruitment process consists of a phone screening, two rounds of interviews, (virtual and in person) along with professional reference checks, and we’ll be here to guide you through the entire process!
Netball Australia takes our Safeguarding responsibilities seriously and we provide an environment that is safe for our child and adult beneficiaries. All successful candidates will undergo a criminal record and Working with Children check prior to employment and must be able to hold valid checks at all times throughout their employment. We provide our staff and volunteers with ongoing supervision, support and training in their work with child and adult beneficiaries. We have a collaborative, supportive and diverse culture and promote the continued development of our team members! We believe your religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identification or culture do not define you nor impact your application or employment with Netball Australia. We are a sport for all people across the community and take pride in providing a diverse, inclusive and safe environment for all.
Recruitment agencies – thanks for thinking of us, but we have this one covered!
