Communications and Engagement Manager – AFL
AFL

The AFL is Australia’s premier sporting organisation supporting two constantly evolving national competitions, AFL and AFLW. Our purpose is to progress the game, so everyone can share in its heritage and possibilities.We have a strong workforce presence in most States and Territories of Australia including Northern Territory, QLD, NSW / ACT, Victoria and Tasmania.As the AFL/ AFLW competitions continue to grow and evolve at both the elite and community levels, we are focused on ensuring we attract and retain great people in both permanent and casual roles at all levels and within all areas of our industry.Importantly, we aim to reflect the communities where our game is played by recruiting locally where possible to strengthen our connection to the ‘grassroots’ of our game. We are also fortunate to have hundreds of passionate volunteers within our industry, offering their time and expertise to help grow our game.The AFL’s purchase of Marvel Stadium in Docklands, Melbourne, further diversifies our workforce with more than 1000 casual employees to make every moment matter for our fans and customers. 

ABOUT US

As an organisation, the AFL works tirelessly in all states and at all levels to enhance and grow the game – from grassroots to elite. Together, we put on the game, deliver important events, communicate with our fans, run community programs, develop coaches and umpires, collaborate with partners, delight members, support clubs and so much more. While our roles may vary, we are all united by a common goal, to progress the game so that everyone can share in its heritage and possibilities.

About The Role

Reporting directly into the Executive General Manager, People this national role is responsible for planning, creating, and delivering high quality internal communications and engagement initiatives across the AFL. The position oversees the Office Experience Manager as their direct report, to support a holistic understanding of our audiences and environments and help deliver a range of communications and experiences that hit the mark.Pivotal in shaping and driving our internal communication and engagement strategy, this role is integral in ensuring our people are informed, inspired, and engaged in line with our organisation’s purpose, vision and values.This is a rare vacancy in our People team and one we’re excited to be taking to market. It requires a broad set of communication, relationship, and leadership skills to make this a truly great experience for our organisation as we intentionally build a culture of belonging where our people thrive and love working at the AFL.Based at AFL House in Melbourne, this permanent position liaises daily with a large group of stakeholders internally and externally. You’ll connect and collaborate with our Corporate Affairs teams, our functional Leaders and your Melbourne and National People team members to ensure we remain aligned to our broader strategy and consistent with our key messaging.‘Team connect days’ in Melbourne support hybrid and flexible working and are Monday – Wednesday – Thursday to foster fun and get things done!

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF

As you’d expect, the Communications and Engagement Manager is front and centre for all comms and messaging on a national basis. Below is a snapshot of the core activities across three main areas of the position. Whilst you may not do all these things daily, you’ll be pivoting between them regularly; we consider them a realistic summary of what this person will take ownership of to help us progress the game.

Key Accountabilities

Internal Communications

• You’ll develop and implement a comprehensive internal communication strategy that informs, inspires, and engages team members
• You’ll provide communications planning, support and implementation on all key issues impacting the AFL team
• We’ll need you to ensure updates from the AFL Commission and Executive are communicated in an appropriate and timely manner to the AFL workforce
• Overseeing the AFL’s intranets (Tommy and Daisy) and social network (Workplace by Meta) will be important and ensuring both platforms are regularly updated with relevant and engaging content, resources, and announcements will be this person’s remit
• Daily collabs with various departments and leaders will be essential to align internal communication efforts with organisational priorities and initiatives; this is a biggie and will hinge on the successful candidate’s ability to build rapport and trust quickly to help deliver to deadlines
• You’ll assist Senior Leaders with the development and delivery of on tone internal communication messages, presentations, and announcements that align to strategy
• You’ll work collaboratively with the Corporate Affairs Team to ensure relevant external communications are shared in an appropriate and timely manner internally; your own communication style and organisational skills will come into play here

Engagement

• You’ll be developing and implementing initiatives, programs, and events to enhance team member engagement
• You’ll lead the AFL’s Reward & Recognition program including Speccy Awards, Marque Moments, and Shout-Outs
• And you’ll lead employee engagement surveys including design, participation and playback of results with a lens on opportunities for improvement and further engagement of the AFL workforce

Office Experience

• You’ll be consistently providing leadership and support to the Office Experience Manager to ensure daily operations at AFL House support team member wellbeing, personal productivity, and organisational effectiveness

Other Responsibilities

• Proactively support the development and delivery of our PlayWell Strategic initiatives as part of our health and wellbeing agenda
• Regularly support the delivery of our National Induction Sessions

OUR IDEAL TEAM MEMBER

The person who lands this role will be someone who has exceptional skills in relationship building from the ground up, is an expert communicator across multiple mediums and a wanted team player who can pivot between strategic thinking, managing others and contributing to project initiatives to deliver on-point messaging. From fun and engaging team events to all staff strategic engagement activities there’s nothing dull here!Familiarity with managing through change will go a long way with this one; we’re looking ahead to some new and positive changes so the ability to embrace those and craft messaging for, and in support of, our leaders and workforce will be valuable.So, if you’re reading the following and it sounds like we’re describing YOU then we recommend you get in touch asap. We’re progressing people as we find them, so don’t wait. And if it’s not for you right now that’s ok too.

Core Competencies

• It goes without saying that you’re a naturally great communicator and love crafting creative, engaging, and informative messages for diverse audiences. This is the crux of the gig and to be honest it’s likely a big part of who you are and why you’re here reading this!
• You’ve had solid experience working across a range of industries but you’re ready for something unique to take your career to the next level, not more of the same
• Aside from your impressive written and verbal communication skills, you’re known for your creative and innovative thinking skills; you can cite multiple examples where you’ve injected it to drive engagement in the right direction
• Through previous roles, while experiencing shifting priorities and organisational changes, you’ve embraced and managed existing and new internal communications channels. You’re across the latest and most effective platforms with this and enjoy evolving the tools you and your team can leverage to get the best results
• You’re comfortable using a range of software platforms and technologies to get the job done and are familiar with (preferably) using and administering Workplace by Meta and Microsoft Office tools including Sharepoint
• Part of what you enjoy and value about a role like this is measuring, analysing, and evaluating relevant communications data. You understand that informing your decisions from data and results on the regular is good practice (and necessary!) to create meaningful messaging that lands with your audiences
• One of your superpowers is your ability to balance multiple competing priorities and projects, you’re comfortable with ambiguity and can pivot between tasks quickly, leading and supporting others through the change in direction
• You can successfully connect and understand a truly diverse range of stakeholders, whether they’re based remotely, locally or they’re executives or volunteers. You have a style that puts people at ease and allows them to trust you to get their key messages and stories heard
• Reputation matters to you, and you instinctively understand that the person in this role will always represent and advocate for the AFL brand and values, in and out of work environments
• You’re familiar with handling confidential and sensitive information for individuals, employees, the organisation, and external stakeholders. Put it this way, if we asked someone who knows you, they’d say that Integrity was one of your top character traits! Part of this is keeping a lens on reputational risk for the organisation you represent, and this comes naturally to you.
• You’ve led a team or individuals previously and would love the opportunity again. You’re the type of people leader who’s collaborative and respectful and can provide direction and sound advice but you understand that taking on work yourself, autonomously, is still necessary, and you still enjoy being hands on
• You’re ready and motivated for your next career step and all-in when you find the right thing. People would use these words describing you if we asked them; Great Communicator (of course!), Honest, Engaging, Positive, Creative, Professional, Authentic, Storyteller, Team Player, Natural Leader
• You’re not looking for more of the same (sure there’s other ‘corporate comms’ roles out there) and you’d like to showcase more of your authentic self and style at work somewhere new; you’re still the consummate professional but keen to keep it real

Experience And Qualifications

• Communications and/or Engagement Manager experience – we’re looking for some solid years here (5+) preferably across a range of industries in medium to large organisations. We’re wanting someone who’s previously led or owned delivery of key messaging against strategy and managed other team members. Bonus points if you’ve dealt with Senior Leaders, remote and regional stakeholders!
• Tertiary qualifications in Communications, Public Relations, or a similar field with experience that’s a match

OUR CULTURE

Please visit www.afl.com.au/careers/our-organisationWe are proudly a WORK180 endorsed employer for women, to see the great benefits that the AFL offers, please visit https://work180.com/en-au/for-women/employer/afl

THE PERKS

• Play The Day Your Way – a flexible approach to your working life
• My Development – lean into the AFL’s My Development program consisting of on-the-job training, coaching, and mentoring, and formal learning
• Play Well – access to our extensive Health and Wellbeing program centered around our belief in a healthy body, healthy mind, and healthy workplace
• My Benefits – with thanks to our AFL Corporate Partners, access great benefits and discounts
• AFL Silver Memberships – permanent team members can access AFL matches at Marvel Stadium and the MCG, enjoy, and share the experience of our game with your family and friends!

The AFL is committed to promoting and protecting the safety and wellbeing of children and young people in our care. Please note, we undertake several screening processes to ensure this commitment is upheld, this includes ensuring the successful candidate to this position holds a valid employee Working with Children/ Vulnerable People check and a satisfactory criminal history record check.We are an Equal Opportunity employer and firmly believe that diversity and inclusion is an important part of both the AFL and the communities in which we operate. Our game is for everyone, and we strive to be a workplace for everyone.Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are encouraged to apply.

• Play The Day Your Way – a flexible approach to your working life
• My Development – lean into the AFL’s My Development program consisting of on-the-job training, coaching, and mentoring, and formal learning
• Play Well – access to our extensive Health and Wellbeing program centered around our belief in a healthy body, healthy mind, and healthy workplace
• My Benefits – with thanks to our AFL Corporate Partners, access great benefits and discounts
• AFL Silver Memberships – permanent team members can access AFL matches at Marvel Stadium and the MCG, enjoy, and share the experience of our game with your family and friends!

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