• Oversee all operations for Australia's premier women's basketball league
• Drive WNBL to become a global leader in women's sport
• Brand new Cremorne workspace with stunning amenities

Lead the Future of Women's Basketball in Australia

About the WNBL

The NBL Group, in partnership with the Wollemi Capital Group Syndicate, is redefining the future of women's basketball in Australia. The Women's National Basketball League (WNBL) is poised for an exciting transformation, with a new ownership structure, an elevated game, and a new level of excitement with the goal of being a global leader in women's sport.

As Australia's premier women's basketball competition, the WNBL showcases world-class athletes and is committed to setting new benchmarks for excellence, innovation, and growth in women's sport nationally.

About This Opportunity

The WNBL is seeking an exceptional GM, Operations to lead the operational heartbeat of the league. Reporting directly to the CEO, WNBL, this is a pivotal senior leadership role where you'll drive competition delivery, strengthen governance, and serve as the CEO's trusted deputy in shaping the future of women's basketball.

As GM, Operations, you'll oversee end-to-end league operations, lead high-performing teams, and work at the intersection of sport, strategy, and stakeholder engagement. This is your opportunity to make a defining impact on one of Australia's most exciting and fastest-growing sports leagues.

This role is Melbourne-based. The successful candidate must be located in Melbourne and thrive in a strong in-office operational culture.

What You'll Do

Leadership and Organisational Development

• Provide executive-level leadership to operations teams, fostering high-performance, accountable, and solutions-focused cultures
• Act as the CEO's trusted strategic partner, exercising sound judgment, initiative, and executive authority in decision-making
• Oversee organisational effectiveness across the league, ensuring operational systems, structures, and processes support strategic outcomes
• Lead cross-functional alignment between operations, commercial, and governance functions
• Ensure effective integration with NBL Group shared services, ticketing/data, officiating, and integrity teams
• Implement operational KPIs and reporting frameworks that measure effectiveness, growth, and stakeholder satisfaction
• Drive continuous improvement, innovation, and risk management across all operational processes

League Operations and Competition Management

• Build and maintain trusted relationships with club CEOs and General Managers, ensuring operational alignment and proactive issue resolution
• Serve as executive owner of competition operations, accountable for end-to-end delivery and continuous improvement of the WNBL competition
• Lead hands-on competition operations, including fixture development, scheduling, officiating alignment, game day standards, integrity processes, and season delivery logistics
• Design and deliver competition structures, expansion pathways, and innovative formats to enhance commercial appeal and sustainability
• Approve player contracts in accordance with league policies, oversee compliance and registration, and manage competition governance
• Oversee planning and execution of major league events, including Preseason Tournament, Finals Series, and MVP Awards
• Lead crisis and issue management, ensuring timely escalation and executive-level problem resolution
• Work closely with game presentation and officiating teams to elevate the WNBL product across all touchpoints

Policy, Governance, and Risk

• Lead development, implementation, and communication of the WNBL Operations Manual and competition-related policies
• Ensure all governance, compliance, and risk frameworks meet Basketball Australia and league standards
• Liaise with the Australian Basketball Players' Association (ABPA) and other key partners on competition and policy matters
• Prepare and present board papers, operational updates, and strategic recommendations in collaboration with the CEO
• Support the CEO with governance processes and strategic stakeholder engagement
• Represent the CEO and the league in key forums, ensuring consistent leadership presence and message alignment
• Own the league's risk management framework, ensuring proactive identification, mitigation, and reporting of operational risks at an executive level

Financial and Commercial Oversight

• Develop, manage, and report on the league's operational budget, ensuring responsible financial management and cost efficiency
• Oversee compliance and expenditure for player contracts, agent fees, and event delivery
• Provide transparent financial reporting and operational performance insights to the CEO and stakeholders
• Support commercial revenue delivery through strong operational execution, including sponsor inventory delivery, broadcast integration, game-day commercial deliverables, and competition innovations
• Partner with commercial teams to ensure WNBL operations enable rights delivery, support sponsorship retention, and strengthen commercial value
• Ensure commercial and operational decisions are aligned, sustainable, and integrated into league-wide financial planning
• Embed financial discipline across operations, ensuring resources are allocated effectively to strategic priorities

Knowledge, Experience, and Attributes

Essential Experience:

• Extensive experience in executive or senior operational leadership, overseeing organisation-wide operations in complex or multi-stakeholder environments (COO or equivalent experience strongly preferred)
• Experience delivering sports competitions or major events with end-to-end operational involvement is highly advantageous
• Deep understanding of governance, risk, and compliance frameworks, including policy development and implementation
• Proven ability to manage budgets, financial performance, and operational resources at an executive level
• Exceptional stakeholder management and communication skills, with ability to influence and build trust across executives, boards, and external partners
• Strong strategic and organisational capability, with experience delivering operational excellence while aligning execution with organisational goals
• Demonstrated success leading teams, embedding operational processes, and driving cultural and performance outcomes
• Track record of providing trusted support and counsel to senior executives, with confidence to lead in their absence when required
• Experience serving as the primary operational advisor to a CEO or senior executive, with capability to lead organisational decision-making in their absence
• Passion for women's sport and commitment to advancing basketball nationally
• Flexibility to travel and work outside standard hours as required

Why Join the WNBL?

As GM, Operations, you will step into one of the most influential leadership roles in Australian women's sport. Working in close partnership with the CEO, WNBL, you will play a critical role in shaping the future of the league. Together, you will drive excellence in competition delivery, strengthen governance and stakeholder relationships, and lead the continued growth of women's basketball nationally.

This role offers the opportunity to act as the CEO's trusted deputy, representing them with clubs, stakeholders, and boards when required, while ensuring operational excellence every day. You will be at the heart of a fast-growing, purpose-driven league that is setting new benchmarks for women's sport in Australia.

What We Offer:

• Strategic Impact: Shape the future of Australia's premier women's basketball league
• Leadership Opportunity: Build and lead high-performing teams in a transformational period
• Industry Prestige: Work with elite athletes, clubs, and key stakeholders in women's sport
• Purpose-Driven Mission: Champion the growth of women's basketball and inspire the next generation
• Location: New office in Cremorne with stunning facilities - with a dynamic, passionate team

Ready to Lead? If you're an experienced sports operations leader who thrives on delivering excellence, building strong teams, and driving the growth of women's sport, we want to hear from you.

Apply now and be part of the WNBL's exciting journey to become a global leader in women's sport.

The WNBL is dedicated to championing diversity and inclusion. We wholeheartedly embrace individual differences and warmly welcome all qualified applicants to apply, including First Nations peoples.