Executive Manager - Community & Participation

Hockey NSW; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 120,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work policy

CEO collaboration

Great place to work

Office with a view

Connected membership

Real impact

Job summary

Hockey NSW is seeking an experienced Executive Manager to lead community and participation initiatives across metropolitan Sydney and regional NSW. This senior role reports to the CEO and ensures a welcoming, safe and well-run environment for players, coaches, umpires and volunteers.

You will shape participation strategy under the 2027-2029 plan, support associations to stay vibrant and sustainable, and lead programs that attract new people to hockey while advancing coach and umpire pathways at

Qualifications

• 8-10+ years' experience in sport development, participation, community engagement or a similar leadership role.
• A track record of growing and retaining participation or membership.
• Experience working with volunteer-led organisations.
• A strategic thinker who can turn a plan into real action on the ground.
• Confident managing budgets and grant funding, and leading high-performing teams.
• A current driver's licence and NSW Working With Children Check (or able to get one).
• Happy to work some evenings and weekends (with time in lieu). Community hockey happens when people are free, so you'll be at games, forums and events from time to time. You'll also travel to regional NSW.

Responsibilities

• Lead entry-level, junior, school and new-format programs that bring new people into hockey.
• Lead coach and umpire participation and development at grassroots level, working with our Pathways & Performance team as people progress.
• Drive inclusion programs for women and girls, First Nations communities, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, and people with disability.
• Build strong relationships with government, councils, schools and community partners.
• Help shape and deliver our participation strategy under the new 2027-2029 Strategic Plan, with growth and retention as headline outcomes.

Skills

Leadership

Strategy development

Budget management

Governance & compliance

Partnership development

Volunteer engagement

Job description

Executive Manager - Community & Participation

Picture your office overlooking the Olympic hockey pitch

Our office is inside the hockey stadium at Sydney Olympic Park, looking straight out over the Olympic pitch. Some days you'll see a state team training, and some days it'll be a junior carnival. Either way, you'll be reminded why the work matters.

We're looking for an experienced leader to grow hockey at its grassroots and help keep people in the game, across metropolitan Sydney and regional NSW.

About the role

This is a senior executive role reporting to the CEO. You'll own Hockey NSW's participation, community and Association development work. That means making sure anyone who wants to play, coach, umpire or volunteer has a welcoming, safe and well run place to do it.

You'll:

• Help shape and deliver our participation strategy under the new 2027-2029 Strategic Plan, with growth and retention as headline outcomes
• Support Associations and clubs to be well governed and sustainable, and to keep their members season after season
• Lead entry-level, junior, school and new-format programs that bring new people into hockey
• Lead coach and umpire participation and development at grassroots level, working with our Pathways & Performance team as people progress
• Drive inclusion programs for women and girls, First Nations communities, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, and people with disability
• Build strong relationships with government, councils, schools and community partners

About you

• 8-10+ years' experience in sport development, participation, community engagement or a similar leadership role
• A track record of growing and retaining participation or membership
• Experience working with volunteer-led organisations
• A strategic thinker who can turn a plan into real action on the ground
• Confident managing budgets and grant funding, and leading high-performing teams
• A current driver's licence and NSW Working With Children Check (or able to get one)
• Happy to work some evenings and weekends (with time in lieu). Community hockey happens when people are free, so you'll be at games, forums and events from time to time. You'll also travel to regional NSW.

Why you'll love working here

• Hybrid and flexible. Our hybrid working policy lets you split your week between home and the office. When you work evenings or weekends, you get time in lieu, because we care about life outside work.
• Work alongside a dynamic CEO. You'll report directly to Carolyn Campbell, a CEO with a strong hockey background who knows the game inside out and will back you to make a real difference.
• A great place to work. We're a friendly, passionate team that works hard and has fun doing it.
• An office with a view. You'll be based in the hockey stadium at Sydney Olympic Park, overlooking the Olympic pitch.
• Connected membership. Get free event tickets, everyday savings and exclusive perks and experiences across the Sydney Olympic Park community.
• Real impact. You'll see the difference your work makes in clubs and communities across the state.

About Hockey NSW

Hockey NSW is the peak body for hockey in New South Wales, supporting 27 Associations and more than 19,700 registered participants across metropolitan and regional NSW. We work with associations, clubs, government and community partners to grow the game from grassroots through to elite level, and we're committed to a safe, inclusive and welcoming sport for everyone.

Hockey NSW is committed to a safe, inclusive and welcoming sport. We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, including First Nations people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities, and people with disability.