ROLE OVERVIEW

TECHNICAL & BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES
The successful candidate will have demonstrated senior management experience within AFL or a
similar position from within an elite sporting environment. Experience will include:

  • Proven leadership capability.
  • Strategic in thinking and practice.
  • Highest levels of personal and business ethics and integrity.
  • Capacity to deliver a high performance culture and embed values in an elite sporting
  • context.
  • Demonstrated organisational skills and an ability to manage multiple projects concurrently.
  • Controlled in a pressured environment, calm and measured when dealing with crisis
  • situations.
  • Advanced interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills.
  • Capacity to collaborate across on the Club to achieve broader purpose and plans.
  • Tertiary qualification in management or related disciplines.
  • Understanding of, and expertise in, modern AFL football.

The General Manager, Football Operations is responsible for developing and delivering the
comprehensive football strategy.
The components of the strategy include planning and delivery of all Football Department key areas
including recruiting, welfare and player development, list management, coaching, sports science,
compliance, operations and the GWS GIANTS Academy.
The primary responsibility is to achieve the Football Department strategic objectives that include
playing entertaining football, playing in finals and winning premierships as outlined in the GIANTS
strategic plan.
The General Manager, Football Operations has a responsibility to promote a high performance
culture and the highest levels of personal and Department integrity.
The General Manager, Football Operations sits as a member of the Executive team and the Football
Sub-Committee and more broadly needs to collaborate to ensure the effective communication and
work practices between football operations and the broader business departments within the Club.
As a member of the Executive team this position will contribute to the strategic direction, leadership
and future development of the GIANTS.

TECHNICAL & BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES
The successful candidate will have demonstrated senior management experience within AFL or a
similar position from within an elite sporting environment. Experience will include:

  • Proven leadership capability.
  • Strategic in thinking and practice.
  • Highest levels of personal and business ethics and integrity.
  • Capacity to deliver a high performance culture and embed values in an elite sporting
  • context.
  • Demonstrated organisational skills and an ability to manage multiple projects concurrently.
  • Controlled in a pressured environment, calm and measured when dealing with crisis
  • situations.
  • Advanced interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills.
  • Capacity to collaborate across on the Club to achieve broader purpose and plans.
  • Tertiary qualification in management or related disciplines.
  • Understanding of, and expertise in, modern AFL football.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS
Reports to:

  • Chief Executive Officer

Direct Reports:

  • Senior Coach
  • Football Manager
  • List Manager
  • Player Development Manager
  • GWS GIANTS Academy Manager
  • Executive Assistant
  • Other Key Relationships:
  • Internal
  • Chief Executive Officer
  • Football Sub Committee
  • GWS Staff
  • GWS Executive
  • Integrity Committee

External:

  •  Australian Football League
  •  AFLPA
  •  State Bodies
  •  Media outlets
  •  Sponsors/Partners/ Corporates/Coteries
  •  Government agencies
  •  Community Partners

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE POSITION
1. FOOTBALL STRATEGY

  • Development of a comprehensive Football Strategic Plan that is aligned to support the delivery of the Club’s Purpose and Plan and presented for CEO, Football Sub-Committee and Board approval.
  • Establish Football Sub-Committee meetings calendar and develop agenda consistent with Football Charter.
  • Design, draft and deliver on strategic and tactical plans for the Football Department relating to coaching and analysis, fitness and development, recruitment and list management, welfare, medical and allied health services, whilst advancing standards within each area.
  • Member of GIANTS Executive team and present to Board as required.

2. HIGH PERFORMANCE CULTURE

  • Collaborate with General Manager, People & Culture, Senior Coach and football leaders to drive a High Performance Culture.
  • Develop and implement staff engagement initiatives including a culture of continuous learning and learning orientation, maximising the engagement and career development of staff.
  • Ensure leadership within the function of player welfare and development, ensuring the clubdelivers a highly ethical and compliant world class welfare program that supports player retention, mental and physical health and life skills of the playing group and associated staff.
  • Establish and manage clear cultural guidelines and programs for players and staff consistent with Club values.

3. ADMINISTRATION

  • Oversee and manage key appointments - full time, part time and contractors - to deliver on Coaching, Administration, Welfare, Medical and List Management functions.
  • Manage and mentor the Senior Coach and meet regularly to monitor the football program and develop strategies for its continued success.
  • Work closely with medical staff, including the Head Doctor and Head of Sports Science to ensure the playing group are provided with the most contemporary approved medical,strength & conditioning and psychology advice, guidance and care.
  • Attract, employ and manage experts to deliver high performance in each area.
  • Provide leadership and Executive management across the football portfolio.
  • Ensure all employment and HR documentation is current and policies are enacted.

4. COMPLIANCE

  • Through values driven leadership, role model the highest levels of personal integrity in all activities, internal and external to the Club.
  • Responsible for all football reporting to the CEO, and maintaining a club culture of the highest standards of reporting and compliance around all AFL guidelines – no surprises.
  • Working closely with the List Manager and Finance Manager to develop, implement andmanage the Total Player Payments (TPP) salary cap structure ensuring all player negotiations comply with the AFL TPP requirements and additional services regulations.
  • Lead a culture of continuous improvement and ensuring regular reviews of practices and processes, making recommendations for improvements.
  • Provide monthly Football updates for inclusion with the board pack, providing updates for progress, risk concerns and recommendations for improvements and changes.

5. LIST MANAGEMENT

  • Provision of a 3 year and annual contracting model signed off by the FB Sub committee prior to the start of each season
  • Ensure the club is compliant by establishing and maintaining high standards of compliance and risk management in the football department.
  • Ensure a culture of compliance and governance is upheld and meets all requirements as set out by the GIANTS Integrity Committee and AFL Policy & Procedures.
  • Maintain a comprehensive knowledge of the AFL and AFLPA rules and regulations including the requirements of players Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and the impact of the management of the Football Department.
  • Oversee the Club’s talent identification and recruitment procedures in conjunction with the List Manager, ensuring adherences to policies and procedures.
  • Oversee the Clubs list management and recruitment processes in conjunction with the relevant stakeholders to ensure alignment with strategic objectives and adherence to policies and procedures.

6. PROMOTION AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Support Club partners – government, corporate and community.
  • Attending all games and supporting club functions whilst actively engaging in networking opportunities to build the club profile in the corporate sphere.
  • Act as a Club Ambassador and attend designated club activities that build community engagement and fan development opportunities.
  • Collaborate with General Manager, Corporate Affairs and Communication to have an active presence in the media promoting the club and all on and off field activities and support all club social media outlets including Facebook and Twitter and will be an integral component of the GIANTS web site including GIANTS TV.
  • In consultation with other key executive staff, develop appropriate strategies for managing media interest.
  • Monitor the effectiveness of PR strategies – weekly, yearly, and topical
  • Manage and respond to football related media as required.
  • Manage with the CEO all football related crisis.

7. FINANCE

  • Prepare the Football Department budget for approval, in line with the Club budget strategy
  • Manage the Football department expenses within the approved annual budget
  • Accurate forecasts are provided monthly
  • Implement a cost effective approach to the optimisation of high cost areas.

OUR COMMITMENTS & VALUES
1. Love the fans. Embrace their communities and aspirations
2. Always entertain. Deliver quality family entertainment
3. On the field. Play exciting and ruthless football
4. Off the field. Be open, accessible and inclusive
5. Great partners. Always deliver value
6. Think differently. Innovate, invent and create
7. Work hard. Collaborate with high energy
8. Invest in people. Demand honesty, integrity and respect
9. Get the little things right. Never tolerate poor performance.
10. Love the game. Respect the opportunity we have been given
11. Enjoy your work. Celebrate success.

Pleased forward your confidential expression of interest to Jody Masina, General
Manager, People & Culture at jody.masina@gwsgiants.com.au by March 18th 2016.