Rowing Australia (RA) is the national governing body for rowing, and is responsible for the leadership, administration, and governance of the sport in Australia. RA delivers the high-performance program and leads the Australian Rowing Team’s success on the global stage, including at Olympic, Paralympic, and Commonwealth Games.

As we continue our commitment to creating international, Olympic and Paralympic performances on the water, winning well, and developing rowers off the water, Rowing Australia is seeking an Athlete Wellbeing and Engagement Lead to join the High Performance team.

About the role

The Athlete Wellbeing & Engagement (AW&E) Lead plays a pivotal role in supporting Australia’s Olympic and Paralympic rowers to perform at their best through holistic development, positive athlete experience, and accountability. Reporting to the General Manager High Performance, you will be responsible for driving the strategic development and implementation of RA’s Wellbeing Strategy.

The AW&E Lead supports athletes across the high-performance environment, with a focus on balancing performance, wellbeing, education, career development, and life beyond rowing.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Lead and implement Rowing Australia’s Wellbeing Strategy, aligned with the High Performance Strategy to enhance performance, athlete experience, and holistic development.
• Provide tailored wellbeing support to athletes, particularly during high-risk periods such as injury, non-selection, major transitions, and significant life events.
• Embed wellbeing and engagement within the high-performance environment through close collaboration with coaches, performance support staff, and system partners.
• Develop and oversee wellbeing and education frameworks across the National Training Centre’s (NTCs), Para-Rowing, and Coastal athletes, supporting dual-career and transition planning.
• Manage and support the Athlete Wellbeing and Engagement Manager, contributing to continuous improvement, strong governance, and effective use of system services and resources.

About you

Rowing Australia is seeking a compassionate and professional leader who can foster trust and deliver impactful wellbeing initiatives within the high-performance environment. You will bring:

• Demonstrated background in social work, psychology, wellbeing, education or a related field, ideally within high-performance sport.
• Knowledge of emerging issues impacting mental health and wellbeing and an ability to provide proactive programs to address these issues.
• Proven experience in case management, wellbeing support and athlete transition pathways.
• Strong interpersonal skills with a genuine passion for empowering individuals to thrive and develop.
• Tertiary qualifications and or relevant experience (e.g., education, psychology, social work, counselling) highly desirable.

Rowing Australia is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, or age.

Location

Canberra preferred (interstate candidates may be considered, with regular travel required).