Lead a brand-new $20m FIFA-standard football venue and build Sydney Sports Management Group's first dedicated football department from the ground up.

About Us

Sydney Sports Management Group (SSMG) manages more than 19 sport and leisure venues across Greater Sydney. We run community competitions, coaching programs, corporate wellness and events - and we exist to get more people active in the places they live and work.

Newington Reserve, Silverwater is our newest venue: a brand-new, state-of-the-art $20 million FIFA-standard football pitch in the City of Parramatta LGA. It's a flagship facility for the region, and we're looking for the person who will bring it to life.

The Role

This is two jobs in one, and that's the opportunity. You'll run Newington Reserve day to day - bookings, operations, customers and community relationships - while leading the creation of SSMG's brand-new football department.

You'll launch junior programs, build social and competition football, and shape how football grows across Newington Reserve and other SSMG-managed facilities. You'll also be SSMG's face in the Parramatta LGA, building the relationships with schools, clubs, businesses, residents and Council that keep the venue busy.

Key Responsibilities

Venue Leadership

• Lead all day-to-day operations of Newington Reserve, setting the standard for a premium football venue

• Manage bookings and maximise pitch utilisation across clubs, schools, community groups, corporates and casual hire

• Drive business development to activate the venue and build new revenue streams

• Maintain operational excellence, including oversight of cleaning, maintenance and contractors

• Support direct marketing initiatives to residential and corporate markets

• Act as a local ambassador, embedding SSMG's presence across the Parramatta LGA

• Manage relationships with Council, clubs, schools, associations and community partners

• Deliver hands-on, high-quality service to every venue user

Building SSMG's football department

• Lead the launch of junior football programs, from design to delivery

• Contribute to SSMG's football growth strategy and the rollout of programs across Newington Reserve and other SSMG-managed facilities

• Support the setup and management of football competitions

• Create social football initiatives for adults, corporates and the local community

• Work with stakeholders to attract and host football events, carnivals, gala days and tournaments

• Manage school relationships and programs, including school bookings, carnivals and in-school football

About You

You're a builder: someone who has performed in day-to-day operations as well as create programs from scratch to grow them into something the community can sign up for again and again.

Essential

• Proven experience creating, launching and growing sport programs - ideally junior and/or social football

• Experience in venue, facility or sport operations management

• Strong business development skills and a track record of growing participation or revenue

• Confidence managing a wide range of stakeholders, from parents and schools to council and corporate clients

• Excellent organisation, with experience running booking systems and managing competiting priorities

• A customer-first attitude and willingness to be hands-on

• Current Working With Children Check (or ability to obtain one) and a valid driver's licence

Highly Regarded

• Strong networks within the football community in Greater Sydney

• Experience running competitions or leagues

• Experience delivering school sport programs

• Coaching qualifications

• Familiarity with the Parramatta LGA and it's community

What we offer

• A rare chance to build a football department from day one and put your stamp on it
• Leadership of a brand-new $20m FIFA-standard venue
• Full-time role with hybrid flexibility
• Competitive salary package
• Opportunities to grow with a busy, expanding group managing 19+ venues across Sydney
• A supportive, sport-loving team that values initiative and new ideas

How to apply

Send your resume and a short cover letter telling us about a program you've built from scratch and what made it succeed.

We're reviewing applications as they arrive, so we encourage you to apply early. SSMG is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds.