Sport and Recreation Development Officer

Merri-bek; Melbourne; Hybrid; AUD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fortnightly RDO

Hybrid work

Training & career development

Wellness programs

Parental leave options

Job summary

Merri-bek City Council invites applications for a Sport and Recreation Development Officer. Based in Coburg with hybrid working, the role focuses on supporting local sport clubs, associations, and community groups to strengthen governance, inclusivity, and participation in sport and physical activity across Merri-bek.

You will partner with clubs, government bodies and internal teams to deliver recreation planning, policy work and key initiatives, including Active Merri-bek, while advancing

Qualifications

• A tertiary qualification or substantial demonstrated experience in sport or recreation management, community development or related field.

Responsibilities

• Build strong relationships with sporting clubs, associations and community groups.
• Provide specialist advice and practical support to strengthen club governance and sustainability.
• Contribute to recreation planning, policy development and major projects such as Active Merri-bek programs.
• Support initiatives addressing participation barriers and promote equitable access.
• Collaborate with State Sporting Associations, government and Council teams to deliver outcomes.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Governance support

Community development

Inclusion and participation

Communication

Time management

Organisational skills

Education

Tertiary qualification in sport/recreation

Tools

Driver’s Licence

Working with Children Check

Job description

Sport and Recreation Development Officer

Job No:MER856

Location:Coburg

• Hybrid Working
• Full-time Permanent role (based on 35hours per week)
• FortnightlyRDO
• Ability to transfer or take LSL (Long Service Leave) within Local Government

About Merri-bek City Council

Merri-bek City Council is a progressive council of 195,125 residents: one community, proudly diverse. Our council area sits within the banks of the Merri Creek and the Moonee Ponds Creek, and includes Brunswick, Coburg, Fawkner, Glenroy, Gowanbrae, Hadfield, Oak Park and Pascoe Vale. Our city is vibrant and energetic, known for its active community, cultural diversity, creative industries and the arts. Our long-term vision has ambitious goals for environmental sustainability, social justice, community wellbeing, and creating great places. With the Civic Centre located in Coburg, 8 kilometres north of Melbourne’s CBD, there are excellent public transport options and great food and cafés right at the doorstep.

Merri-bek Council strives to be a contemporary, innovative and collaborative organisation with a deep commitment to engaging and supporting the Merri-bek community. Our organisational vision is to be one team, brave and diverse, making a difference.

We pride ourselves on being an inclusive and welcoming workplace. We offer flexible and hybrid work options and genuinely care about providing our staff work/life balance. With the Civic Centre located in Coburg, 8 kilometres north of Melbourne’s CBD, there are excellent public transport options and great food, cafés, parks and a cinema right at the doorstep. Merri-bek is a great place to live, work and play.

About the role

Join Merri-bek City Council and help local sport and recreation clubs thrive. In this role, you’ll build strong relationships with sporting clubs, associations and community groups, providing specialist advice and practical support to strengthen club governance, improve sustainability and create welcoming, inclusive environments.

You’ll help turn community needs into opportunities for more people to participate in sport and physical activity. Working collaboratively with clubs, State Sporting Associations, government and Council teams, you’ll support initiatives that address barriers to participation and promote fair and equitable access, particularly for communities identified in Merri-bek’s Human Rights and Equity work.

You’ll also contribute to recreation planning, policy development and key projects, including work that supports Active Merri-bek and participation by people who are traditionally under-represented in sport. This is an opportunity to make a practical difference to the strength, inclusiveness and future of community sport.

Skills and experience required to perform the role

• A relevant tertiary qualification, or significant demonstrated experience in sport or recreation management, community development or a related field.
• Strong experience working collaboratively with sporting clubs, community groups and a range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience supporting clubs to strengthen governance, policies, practices and long-term sustainability.
• A sound understanding of community recreation, community development, inclusion and participation, and sport and recreation planning.
• A commitment to social justice and equitable access to sport and physical activity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, people with disability, LGBTIQA+ communities, migrant, refugee and faith communities, and women, girls and gender-diverse communities.
• An understanding of child safety and wellbeing requirements in the sport and recreation sector.
• Well-developed communication, negotiation and problem-solving skills, with the ability to build relationships and work towards positive outcomes.
• Strong planning, evaluation, time-management and organisational skills, including the ability to manage competing priorities.
• A current Victorian Driver’s Licence.
• A current Working with Children Check.

What the role can offer

• Fortnightly RDO
• Extensive opportunities for training & career development
• Salary sacrifice options
• A real sense of work-life balance & flexible work options
• Employer-supported study assistance schemes
• Wellness programs

Further support offered for our staff

• Up to 20 weeks primary & up to 5 weeks secondary parental leave
• Purchase leave
• Ceremonial leave
• Gender affirmation leave
• Family violence leave

For further information about this position please contact Sedat Sir on [phone].

Applications close: 11:30pm, Wednesday,18 November 2026.
*in the case that we receive a high volume of applications, we reserve the right to close this advertisement before the current closing date.

Please note that when applying for this role, you may be required to attach your valid Driver's Licence, WWCC, and First Aid and CPR certificate. Please have this ready when completing your application.