The Player Development Manager - Female Program (PDM) plays a key role in supporting the holistic wellbeing, personal development, and career progression of elite cricketers. This role requires building trusted relationships, delivering wellbeing and professional development programs, and acting as a central conduit between players, High Performance staff, the Australian Cricketers’ Association (ACA), Cricket Australia (CA), and the players’ personal networks.
Key Responsibilities
Relationship Management
Build trusted, valued relationships with players, coaches, HP staff, ACA, CA, and players’ personal networks (family, partners, agents).
Lead delivery of the Australian Cricket (AC) Player Wellbeing Strategy to empower players to thrive.
Adhere to Foundations of Best Practice guidelines for PDMs.
Facilitate individualised Wellbeing Action Plans capturing holistic player needs.
Act as a conduit to professional development and wellbeing programs and services.
Attend and report at player and HP staff meetings, including program reviews.
Develop networks with other professional development managers and service providers to share best practice.
Work collaboratively within the HP environment, maintaining professional boundaries and confidentiality.
Wellbeing
Design and deliver activities, programs, and experiences aligned with AC’s holistic wellbeing framework.
Liaise with CACT and CA psychologists as required.
Provide first-incident response and refer players to suitable support services.
Support players through transitions including non-selection, injury, relocation, delisting, and retirement.
Coordinate health benefit initiatives (e.g., skin checks) as directed by ACA and CA.
Career Development and Learning
Support players in developing and progressing their Wellbeing Assessment Plans.
Deliver structured transitional support for retiring or delisted players.
Advise on education and career development, including school, university, TAFE, vocational training, study strategies, and course selection.
Coordinate induction programs for senior contracted players.
Support delivery of National Education Programs as directed.
Reporting and Promotion
Maintain timely, accurate reporting in the Athlete Development System (ADS).
Provide monthly status reports to HP and coaching staff.
Coordinate PDM program expenditure within budget and financial policies.
Support players with networking and profile-raising activities.
Ethics and Professional Development
Operate within PDM Guidelines for Professional Conduct.
Participate in PDM Connection Days, New Player Induction Camp, and GamePlan Conference.
Engage in ongoing professional development as per the PDM Learning Roadmap.
General
Develop and manage key stakeholder relationships and partnerships.
Ensure adherence to appropriate safety, welfare, and health standards.
Undertake other duties consistent with the responsibilities of the position.
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
Essential
Proven ability to build relationships with diverse stakeholders in dynamic environments.
Outstanding communication skills across one-on-one, team, classroom, and HP settings.
Experience coaching, mentoring, and developing individuals.
Ability to lead and support career, education, and personal development planning for elite athletes.
High level of integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.
Ability to work autonomously and collaboratively within a High Performance team.
Strong planning, organisational, and delivery capability with a track record of achieving outcomes.
Desirable
Understanding of the sporting and non-sporting demands on elite athletes.
Experience working in elite sport or high-performance environments.
Commitment to supporting athletes to fulfil their potential both on and off the field.
Qualifications
Tertiary qualification in Education, Psychology, or a related discipline.
Valid ACT Working with Vulnerable People accreditation, or ability to attain one.
Mental Health First Aid certification, or ability to attain one.
