First Nations Programs Coordinator

About the Carlton Football Club

The Carlton Football Club is one of Australia’s oldest and most prominent sport institutions. Founded in 1864, the Club’s headquarters and training facilities are located in Carlton at IKON Park, our traditional home ground. Our IKON Park redevelopment is now complete, and we are proud of our state-of-the-art facilities that supports our high-performance environment. We are passionate about our contribution to the Community and foster an inclusive and welcoming culture where our values are at the core of who we are and what we do.

About the Role

This role will be offered as a 3 day per week (0.6 FTE) 12-month fixed term contract.

Reporting to the First Nations Engagement and Programs Manager with support from the Head of Community, this part-time position is responsible for leading the operational implementation of the Carlton Football Club’s First Nations community program, Loorende-gat and assists across the Sir Doug Nicholls and NAIDOC Week campaigns. This role will also play a pivotal role in supporting the implementation of the Carlton Football Club First Nations Strategy and will support the Club’s First Nations Working Group.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, delivery and evaluation of the Loorende-gat Business and Entrepreneurship program
• Oversee the operations of the program and connect with speakers, mentors, participants and suppliers to ensure the program is a success
• Support the First Nations Engagement and Programs Manager to develop plans to grow the First Nations Business and Entrepreneurship program
• Support the marketing and communications of the Loorende-gat program in collaboration with the Club’s Marketing and Communication department
• Assist in the planning and development of the AFL Sir Doug Nicholls Round and AFLW Indigenous Round, connecting with various departments across the Club
• Assist in the planning and development of the Club’s Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week activities, connecting with various departments across the Club
• Support the First Nations Engagement and Programs Manager to continue to embed cultural engagement and learning throughout the calendar year in collaboration with the broader business
• Build positive relationships with local Elders and respected community members in community
• Build respectful relationships with local Aboriginal organisations to increase positive community outcomes and engagement
• Generate and increase awareness across all areas of the club to ensure the Club’s ongoing commitment to inclusion and diversity is upheld, particularly for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities
• Collaborate with AFL & AFLW players to promote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander causes and Club-affiliated community programs
• Maintain presence in all key sector networks to increase visibility of programming and expand on collaborative partnerships, via connection with the First Nations Engagement and Programs Manager

Experience, Skills and Attributes

In recognition of the role’s primary purpose in delivering the First Nations strategy, programs and building internal and external relationships to ensure the Club is a culturally safe and supportive space for First Nations players, staff, members and community, it is a requirement of this position that the candidate:

• Be of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent
• Demonstrate knowledge of First Nations cultures and understanding the importance of family, kinship, and communities
• Connection and ability to build strong relationships and/or partnerships with local Aboriginal organisations, communities and individuals

The Club considers that being Aboriginal or a Torres Strait Islander is a genuine occupational requirement for this position under sub-s 26(3) or s 28 of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (Vic).

In addition, the successful candidate will ideally have:

• Qualifications in community development, youth work, community services or equivalent
• Collaboration and communication skills for both internal and external stakeholders, especially on First Nations Affairs
• Experience in working on initiatives that focus on co-design and self-determination in First Nations communities
• Ability to plan, lead and manage social impact initiatives
• Experience in working with/within organisations focused on First Nations community engagement
• A sound level of competency both written and verbal communication and an intermediate level of computer literacy
• Ability to manage multiple tasks in fast-paced environments, adapt to change and innovate
• Ability to develop plans and strategies that enable the engagement of the Club’s First Nations community through two-way learning
• Confidence and experience in presenting and communicating to internal and external stakeholders at all levels
• Passionate about self-determination and utilising sport to enhance community outcomes
• Maintain appropriate professional conduct especially in the area of ethics and confidentiality

Benefits and Culture

Carlton’s values underpin how the Club operates, describing how our people work together, interact and behave. The Club is passionate about its culture, focused on cultivating a unique sense of belonging and connection. In addition, we offer our people flexible working, learning and development opportunities, as well as employee benefits such as membership, café and retail discounts, alongside working in a world-class sporting amenity.

How to Apply

Please submit your current resume and cover letter addressed to the Head of Community by 11:55pm Sunday 11 January. Application shortlisting and interviews for this role will commence in mid-January 2026.

The Carlton Football Club is an equal opportunity employer and a place who welcomes all. We encourage people with diverse experiences and backgrounds to apply. This includes, but is not limited to, those from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse, and LGBTQIA+ communities. We are committed to fostering a workplace environment which is inclusive, safe, and flexible. All applicants will be considered based on the relevance of their abilities to the role and their alignment with our Club Values.

The Carlton Football Club is committed to providing a welcoming environment where the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people involved in our programs, services, activities, events, and the broader community, will always be our first priority. All staff must hold (or be willing to obtain) a current Victorian Working With Children Check as part of their employment with the Club.