Senior Manager - Sport, Participation and Transformation

Surf Life Saving Victoria; Melbourne; Hybrid; AUD 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Life Saving Victoria in Port Melbourne, Melbourne, is seeking a Senior Manager – Sport, Participation and Transformation to provide strategic leadership across lifesaving sport, participation and organisational transformation within LSV.

You will lead the implementation of the Sport Strategy, drive participation growth, improve event delivery, strengthen workforce sustainability and support the long‑term financial viability of lifesaving sport.

Hybrid working arrangements apply.

Qualifications

• Significant leadership experience in sport, participation, major events or a comparable operational environment.
• Proven success leading transformation programs and implementing strategic initiatives that deliver measurable outcomes.
• Strong experience in change management, stakeholder engagement and navigating complex environments with competing priorities.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Sport, Participation and Transformation function, driving strategy, performance, participation growth and operational excellence across the portfolio.
• Deliver significant sport and competition reform initiatives, improving event delivery models, workforce practices, service standards and stakeholder outcomes.
• Lead participation and growth strategies that strengthen retention, accessibility, progression pathways and member engagement across the lifesaving movement.
• Champion safety, risk management and operational readiness across the sport portfolio, ensuring high-quality and sustainable event delivery.
• Build strong partnerships with clubs, volunteers, councils, committees and key stakeholders to support successful change and ongoing development.
• Drive financial sustainability through strategic planning, budget management, performance monitoring and initiatives that improve the long-term viability of lifesaving sport.

Skills

Leadership experience

Change management

Stakeholder engagement

Budgeting & financial oversight

Job description

Senior Manager - Sport, Participation and Transformation

Life Saving Victoria is Victoria's peak water safety and lifesaving organisationbuilt on the proudtraditions and programs of our founding organisations, the Royal Life Saving Society – Australia and Surf Life Saving Australia.

Lifesaving has been an integral part of the Victorian way of life since 1904. TodayLSV is a multifaceted volunteer-based community organisation with a focus on public safety and community wellbeing.

Our volunteers, members,employeesand partners work together with communities, educational institutions, government agencies,businessesand the broader aquatic industry, to Save lives and empower communities to safely enjoy water.

About the role:
This is a full time, fixed-term position (2 years) based at our Port Melbourne office, with hybrid working arrangements.

As the Senior Manager – Sport, Participation and Transformation, you will provide strategic leadership across lifesaving sport, participation and organisational transformation at LSV. You will lead the implementation of the LSV Sport Strategy, driving meaningful change to strengthen participation, improve competition delivery, enhance workforce sustainability and support the long-term financial sustainability of lifesaving sport.

Additionally, you will:

• Lead the Sport, Participation and Transformation function, driving strategy, performance, participationgrowth and operational excellence across the portfolio
• Deliver significant sport and competition reform initiatives, improving event delivery models, workforce practices, service standards and stakeholder outcomes
• Lead participation and growth strategies that strengthen retention, accessibility, progression pathways and member engagement across the lifesaving movement
• Champion safety, risk management and operational readiness across the sport portfolio, ensuring high-quality and sustainable event delivery
• Build strong partnerships with clubs, volunteers, councils, committees and key stakeholders to support successful change and ongoing development
• Drive financial sustainability through strategic planning, budget management, performance monitoring and initiatives that improve the long-term viability of lifesaving sport

About you:
You are an experienced and influential leader with a strong background in sport, participation, major events or operational transformation. You are skilled at leading people through change, building stakeholder confidence and delivering strategic outcomes that create lasting impact.

You will bring:

• Significant leadership experience in sport, participation, major events, community-based service delivery or a comparable operational environment
• Demonstrated success leading complex transformation programs and implementing strategic initiatives that deliver measurable outcomes
• Strong experience in change management, stakeholder engagement and navigating complex environments with competing priorities
• Proven financial and operational management capability, including budgeting, performance monitoring and driving sustainable improvements
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and fostering a high-performance, collaborative culture
• A valid Victorian Employee Working with Children Check is required (or willingness to obtain)

Applications close Wednesday, 18 November 2026, however we may close this ad earlier if a suitable candidate is identified

Research shows us that womenwon’talways apply for a role if theydon’ttick all the boxes. If you fall into that category we would love to hear from you, so we can access your ability and even if youaren’tready now, you might just be at out next intake.

LSV is an equal opportunity employer and a place who welcomes all. We encourage people with diverse experiences and backgrounds to apply. We are committed to fostering a workplace environment which is inclusive, safe, and flexible. All applicants will be considered based on the relevance of their abilities to the role and their alignment with our LSV Values.

LSV is committed to providing a welcoming environment where the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people involved in our programs, services, activities, events, and the broader community, will always be ourfirst priority. All staff must hold (or be able to obtain) a current Victorian Working with Children Check as part of their employment with us.