Aflw High Performance Manager

The AFLW High Performance Manager is a unique opportunity to play a critical role in the future of the Hawthorn Football Club. The club has a proud and successful history and wants to experienced continued success both on and off the field.

As we head into our third season in the AFLW competition, you will play an essential role in building a performance program for the AFLW team reaching its full potential. You will work and thrive in an environment that is committed to excellence, inclusion and supported by a culture of wellbeing and balance.

Our Club’s vision is to deliver long term objectives to continually grow, innovate and achieve on-field success. This includes our commitment to growing our AFLW football program along with the building of our new state of the art facility - The Kennedy Community Centre. KCC will set the club up for decades to come with equal facilities for both our men’s and women’s program.

About the role

Reporting to the Head of AFLW, the AFLW High Performance Manager will work collaboratively to lead the development and implementation of an elite level training program for our AFLW team.

Key responsibilities:

• Plan and manage seasonal training loads whilst working with coaching staff on balancing skills and conditioning sessions.
• Manage the High-Performance team in a collaborative environment to deliver results in the areas of fitness, rehabilitation, and sports science.
• Work collaboratively with the club Doctors and Physios on daily player modifications.
• Work with the Doctor, Physio, Player and Senior Coach on game availability, including the objective use of data to support decision making.
• Ensure that the club explores external resources to facilitate the athlete’s development.
• Drive excellence across all aspects of High Performance by researching new techniques and technologies, and exploring innovative ideas to produce ‘world’s best’ practice.
• Provide leadership to the VFLW High-Performance program and support the AFL High-Performance team as required

Through these key areas of responsibility, you will develop a holistic program that is adaptable to individual needs and circumstances and is driven by the game plan, club values and team performance.

Please note that due to the nature of the AFLW program, there is attendance at evening training sessions and weekends. This role is 4 days per week with the potential to go full time on a 2 year fixed term contract.

The ideal candidate

The ideal candidate will be an exceptional leader with outstanding communication skills to deliver strategic outcomes and technical and tactical requirements within a High Performance environment. You will be a crucial role model and driver of team and club culture. A genuine passion for and knowledge of AFLW is crucial for this role.

You will have a passion for athlete development and achieving a common goal. You will have experience working within elite or semi elite environments, with a solid understanding of AFL, its demands, and intricacies, and are backed by relevant tertiary study. A master's in a related field would be advantageous.

You have a sound theoretical and working knowledge of preparing elite athletes for competition, including both physical and psychological conditioning. You have experience working within an allied health team and enjoy working collaboratively to innovate and make decisions.

You are a leader in your field and use sport science principles and standards to ensure the delivery of best practice, and first-class High-Performance programs. You are enthusiastic about women’s sport and will work in a way that takes our club and the industry forward. You are a values driven individual with a passion for helping others and enjoy working in a fast paced and evolving industry.

Our offer to you

As a Hawthorn Football Club employee, you will work in a supportive, values driven and harmonious team. You will be challenged and provided with opportunities to learn new things, grow, and develop. Our initiatives which drive wellbeing, connection and performance include:

• Access to gym facilities
• Flexible work arrangements
• Special offers and discounts through our Corporate Partners
• Industry leading Parental Leave Policy
• Professional development opportunities – inhouse and external
• One Club memberships to enjoy games with your family and friends

To apply please send through your cover letter and resume. Applications Friday 15th March 2023.

The Hawthorn Football Club is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages applications from suitably qualified and diverse candidates. We welcome applicants who reflect the diversity of the Australian community and encourages applicants from the following backgrounds to apply:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
• Culturally and linguistically diverse
• LGBTIQ+
• People with a disability
• People who live in rural and regional locations

We provide a welcoming, safe, and flexible approach to work and provide an environment that benefits from and enables the best from everyone.

As an organisation we are committed to protecting children and young people from harm. It is essential that anyone involved with the Hawthorn Football Club understands their responsibility in relation to child safety. Our organisation requires all applicants to obtain a ‘Working with Children Check’ prior to appointment.