About the role
The Indigenous Player Development Manager (IPDM) is responsible for facilitating the holistic development of all First Nations players in the Club’s AFL and AFLW playing list. The IPDM role exists to support our First Nations players’ cultural, vocational, educational, health, and social and emotional wellbeing (SEWB) needs. The role will develop and deliver on the Club’s player development and wellbeing strategy to promote the health and wellbeing of its Indigenous players.
The IDPM plays a critical role in the Club’s cultural safety and capability, promoting Indigenous voices in club decision-making and collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to ensure culturally appropriate support systems and Indigenous cultural practices are in place to meet the holistic needs of all Fist Nations players.
The role will engage with a range of internal and external multidisciplinary providers and support personnel to advocate for, coordinate and facilitate the holistic needs of First Nations players. Hence the IPDM will need excellent skills in cultural competence in order to build and maintain collaborative working relationships with First Nations players, and other key stakeholders including: club PDMs, club Doctors, club psychologists, coaches, management and staff. External key relationships that will ensure the success of the role include external health, vocational and educational providers, partners, kinship and family networks, elders, social and emotional wellbeing (SEWB) practitioners, and player agents.
About you
With a strong motivation for advancing First Nations cultural competency and safety, you will be a trustworthy and reliable professional with a demonstrated knowledge and experience in the delivery of cultural, social and emotional wellbeing initiatives. Essential attributes of the successful candidate include:
• Be of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent
• Have completed or is completing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health First Aid Training (or be open to the Club supporting you to complete)
• Have completed or is completing the AFLPA Executive Certificate in Player Development (or be open to the Club supporting you to complete)
• Have completed or is completing a Certificate IV in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander health care
While not essential, it is desirable that the successful candidate have a background in education support, social and emotional wellbeing (SEWB), psychology or a related-field.
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.
To Apply, CLICK HERE
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.
