About us

Joining the Hawthorn Football Club at our new home KCC, represents a unique opportunity to work in a fast paced, elite sporting environment where you can be yourself and thrive.

Our strategic priorities guide the Club to deliver long term objectives to continually grow, innovate and achieve on-field success.

We are committed to creating a supportive environment in which people feel connected to our football club and to each other. Importantly we want to have fun!

About the role

Hawthorn Football Club is seeking a driven AFLW Head of Development to play a pivotal role in the growth and performance of our AFLW playing group.

This role is responsible for leading the football skill acquisition and development program across the AFLW program, ensuring players are supported to reach their full potential through best-practice coaching, individual development planning and high-quality learning environments.

Reporting to the Senior Coach and working closely with the broader coaching and high-performance team, the AFLW Head of Development will contribute strongly to the club’s football strategy, culture and long-term success.

A day in the life includes:

• Lead and manage the football skill acquisition and development program for all AFLW players
• Design, implement and manage individual player development plans across the playing group
• Create and deliver training sessions focused on transferable football craft and skills for game execution
• Regularly assess and track player development, ensuring technical, tactical and mental growth
• Monitor and review the effectiveness of development programs using data, vision and performance metrics
• Facilitate player reviews and evaluations in collaboration with the senior coaching team, providing clear and constructive feedback
• Manage and support a cohort of Development Coaches across training sessions and second-tier competitions
• Support the development and execution of the AFLW football strategy and game plan, led by the Senior Coach

This is a part time opportunity that requires attendance at two day time training sessions per week and attendance at matches across the weekends / evenings.

Our ideal candidate

The successful candidate will bring a strong background in football coaching and player development, with the ability to lead, inspire and develop athletes in a high-performance environment.

You will demonstrate:

• A minimum of 3+ years’ coaching experience at Senior, State League or elite level, with a strong understanding of contemporary football development practices
• Prior experience in a similar development-focused role, with demonstrated knowledge of measurable development outcomes and indicators of success
• Proven success leading and developing teams from diverse backgrounds, fostering inclusive, high-trust and high-performance environments
• Experience working with female athletes and/or AFLW playing experience is highly desirable, though not essential
• Strong communication skills and the ability to provide clear, constructive feedback to players and coaches
• A collaborative, values-led approach aligned with a player-first development philosophy 

Our offer to you

As a Hawthorn Football Club employee, you will work in a supportive, values driven and harmonious team. You will be challenged and provided with opportunities to learn new things, grow, and develop. Our initiatives which drive wellbeing, connection and performance include:

• Access to gym facilities, Core Plus studio and instructors, swimming pool
• Summer Hours (Dec-Feb) with half day Fridays
• Flexible work arrangements, WFH and ability to attend family appointments
• Special offers and discounts through our Corporate Partners
• Professional development opportunities – inhouse and external, overseas opportunities
• One Club memberships to enjoy games with your family and friends

The Hawthorn Football Club is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages applications from suitably qualified and diverse candidates. We welcome applicants who reflect the diversity of the Australian community and encourages applicants from the following backgrounds to apply:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
• Culturally and linguistically diverse
• LGBTIQ+
• People with a disability
• People who live in rural and regional locations

We provide a welcoming, safe, and flexible approach to work and provide an environment that benefits from and enables the best from everyone.

As an organisation we are committed to protecting children and young people from harm. It is essential that anyone involved with the Hawthorn Football Club understands their responsibility in relation to child safety. Our organisation requires all applicants to obtain a 'Working with Children Check' prior to appointment.

Please email your cover letter and resume to recruitment@hawthornfc.com.au

Applications close Friday 24th April 2026.