About us
The Essendon Football Club - “The Bombers” - are a professional sporting organisation in the Australian Football League, home to several teams, including AFL, AFLW, VFL, VFLW and Wheelchair Football programs. But we’re more than the game. At Essendon, unity binds us. We firmly believe that our strength comes from standing together as One Club, embracing our rich diversity, and uniting around a shared purpose. Our passion fuels every kick, every play, and every decision.
The essence of the Essendon legacy is deeply woven into the fabric of the Australian sporting calendar, through significant events such as the ANZAC Day and Dreamtime clashes, underscoring our commemoration and connection to national identity. Our heritage sets us apart, shaping our ethos and inspiring our journey. We strive to be better every day, pushing the boundaries and relentlessly pursuing excellence. But amidst the intensity of competition, respect remains paramount. We care about our impact on others, whether it's our teammates, opponents, or our community. When we ‘Don the Sash’, we do so with unity, passion, excellence, and respect guiding our every move, Always Striving toward our next triumph on the premiership stage.
About the role
The Essendon Football Club is seeking a dynamic, values-driven leader to join our Football Department in a unique dual-capacity role. This position offers the opportunity to drive elite performance as an AFLW Assistant Coach while simultaneously shaping the future of our club as the James Hird Academy – Women’s (JHAW) Coach. You will be a key architect in our women’s program, responsible for working closely with our AFLW Senior Coach and coaching panel on the tactical evolution of our senior AFLW players and the strategic development of our Next Generation Academy (NGA) and Father-Daughter talent.
Through our James Hird Academy - Women’s (JHAW) you will shape the future of our club, identifying and nurturing the next generation of talent (16–19-year-olds) to ensure a seamless transition into the AFLW system.
Key Accountabilities
- Elite Coaching & Strategy: Collaborate with the coaching panel to design and implement game models, team structures, and high-pressure training programs for the AFLW squad.
- Line & Individual Leadership: Take specific accountability for an assigned line and drive Individual Performance Plans (IPPs) through targeted craft and evidence-based feedback.
- Talent Pathway Management: Lead the recruitment and delivery of the JHAW program, aligning the NGA and Father-Daughter pathways with the Club’s senior standards.
- Stakeholder & Community Engagement: Build robust relationships with AFLNT, local leagues, and Indigenous/multicultural organizations, including seasonal travel to the Tiwi Islands and Darwin.
- Performance Analysis: Present game-related content and conduct comprehensive reviews to evaluate both line and individual execution.
- Culture & Standards: Model high-performance behaviors and maintain a strong focus on player wellbeing and safeguarding.
About you
You are a visible leader who thrives on building respectful, high-impact relationships. You understand that elite coaching is as much about people as it is about tactics. You have a proven track record of helping athletes perform under pressure and a genuine passion for the pathway of female talent.
Essential Criteria:
- Significant coaching experience within AFLW, AFL, VFL/W, or Coates League.
- Level 2 Coaching Accreditation (or above) and a relevant Bachelor’s Degree.
- Exceptional communication skills with the ability to influence culture and role-model high-performance behaviours.
- Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Current Driver’s Licence and Working with Children Check (WWCC).
- Permanent Residency or appropriate valid working rights.
Desirable Attributes:
- Experience specifically working with female athletes.
- Innovation in teaching methodologies to suit diverse learning preferences.
- A strong connection to the values and heritage of the Essendon Football Club.
Why Join Us?
This is more than just a coaching job; it is a chance to leave a legacy. Throughout the AFLW off-season, you will continue to provide value to the Club based on your unique skillset, ensuring a year-round impact on our football strategy.
The Perks
- Extra Time Off? Absolutely! On top of standard leave, EFC People get up to 10 additional leave days each year, aligning with Footy Department mini-breaks or at the discretion of our Executive Team.
- Family Comes First. We know family is your priority, and it’s ours too. That’s why we offer generous paid parental leave for our full-time and part-time staff.
- Fitness & Wellbeing Perks. Take care of your mind and body with our Wellbeing program, run in partnership with Converge. Plus, enjoy access to our state-of-the-art elite fitness facilities and heavily discounted access to Windy Hill Fitness Centre for you and your partner.
- Level Up Your Career. At EFC, we never stop learning! All team members have access to EFC Learning Programs, with face-to-face and online learning designed to support your professional growth.
- And That’s Not All! Enjoy exclusive discounts from our Commercial Partners, plus two Flexi Home & Away memberships giving you access to all Essendon home & away games at Marvel Stadium and the MCG. Add in free onsite parking at our state-of-the-art HQ, The Hangar, and exclusive inner sanctum events and experiences!
Please keep reading...
Research shows that while men apply to jobs when they meet an average of 60% of the criteria, women and other marginalised folks tend to only apply when they tick every box. So, if you think you have what it takes, but don't currently meet all the criterial, please still consider applying.
At the Essendon Football Club, we are committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and empowered. We welcome candidates of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives to join our team. Our goal is to create an environment where everyone can thrive and contribute their best work.
