AddressSpecial Olympics Australia (“SOA”) was established in 1976 providing sporting opportunities for people with an intellectual disability of all ages and abilities. Special Olympics is a year-round multi-sports program for children and adults with an intellectual disability, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of skills and friendship with their families, other athletes and the community. We create accessible sports training, coaching and competition opportunities for all people with an intellectual disability whether they want to take part in recreational activities, aspire to climb the competition ladder or seek additional opportunities outside of our program.
About SOA
Special Olympics Australia (SOA) is not just an organisation; it's a powerhouse of inclusivity, passion, and transformation, impacting lives one program at a time. Since its humble beginnings in 1976, SOA has been on a relentless mission to empower individuals with an intellectual disability through sport, health, education and leadership programs.
From backyard camps to a global phenomenon, Special Olympics has touched the lives of over 5 million athletes and unified partners across 170 countries. In Australia, SOA is the driving force behind year-round inclusive sports training and competitions, ensuring that every person with an intellectual disability can unleash their potential. With a dedicated network of volunteers and coaches, SOA creates accessible pathways for people to not only excel in sports but also to build self-esteem, foster courage, and forge lifelong friendships.
With a new 5-year strategy in place and some exciting projects in the pipeline, there couldn’t be a better time to join the team.
Our Vision
Our vision is an inclusive Australia through which people with intellectual disabilities live an active, healthy and fulfilling life.
Our Mission
Our mission is to provide inclusive training and competition in a variety of sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities enabling opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, improve wellbeing, and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with the community.
Primary Purpose of Position
To manage the Special Olympics competition pathway including local, state and national competitions, and work with international partners to oversee SOA’s involvement in international competitions. The role will work closely with key staff and volunteers to ensure quality competitions are delivered up to national level, and work with sporting partners to increase the quality, variety and frequency of competitions, engaging more participants with intellectual disability and unified partners nationally.
Key Accountabilities
Competitions
- Provide guidance to key staff, volunteers and partners to ensure delivery of quality competitions for people with intellectual disability and unified partners
- Oversee implementation and support delivery of the Special Olympics competition pathway, including local competitions (intra-club and inter-club) and State Games.
- Work with the National Games Director to deliver the National Games and with the NSOs/SSOs to deliver single sport national competitions
- Work with SOAP and SOI to manage SOA’s quotas and attendance at the World Games and other international competitions
Partnerships
- Identify opportunities to work with partners to deliver more quality competitions
- Engage with partner NSOs/SSOs to embed Special Olympics categories into existing competition structures, and to deliver bespoke sport-specific competitions
- Work with sport sector partners to enhance competitions by driving more affiliate organisations and mainstream clubs to attend SOA competitions
Rules and Processes
- Work with staff, volunteers and partners to implement relevant Special Olympics competition rules and ensure appropriate qualification processes are followed
- Work with National and State Selection Committees to ensure processes are followed to select teams for national and international competitions
- Work with Heads of Delegation to ensure processes are followed and athletes are appropriately supported for state, national and international competitions
Event Support
- Provide required support to enable delivery of local, state and national competitions
- Connect key staff and volunteers responsible for delivering competitions with relevant sector partners to support and enhance competition quality
- Provide technical knowledge and guidance for partners to deliver Special Olympics divisioning and categories within existing state and national level competitions
Leadership
- Provide leadership to staff, volunteers and partners regarding competition delivery
- Represent SOA with a high level of professionalism within the Australia sport sector and Special Olympics movement globally
- Actively contribute to a ‘One Team’ culture at all levels of the organisation
- Always role model the SOA values and place athletes at the centre of what we do
Your Personal Qualities
- Confident, professional engagement style with the presence to represent Special Olympics Australia at state, national and international level.
- Driven, ambitious and with a strong sense of accountability, supported by a flexible and agile approach
- Excellent interpersonal, collaborative and communication skills to support the organisation and culture, and engage with staff, volunteers, and other stakeholders
- Demonstrated capacity to cooperate and work well with others in a cross-functional environment, as part of a multi-faceted team, to promote and pursue organisational goals
- Mature, resilient, and highly ethical, with impeccable integrity and judgement
- Strong alignment to the Special Olympics culture
