Senior People Business Partner

Join the team shaping the future of Australia’s game

This is your chance to do work that has real impact, in an organisation that moves fast, aims high and plays a meaningful role in the lives of millions across the country through football. Every role at the AFL helps progress the game, so more people can love it, connect with it and see what is possible through it.

The opportunity

People leadership plays a critical role in helping the AFL perform, grow and create a culture where our people can do their best work.

As Senior People Partner, you will provide strategic and operational people support to the Football Performance, Football Operations and Corporate Affairs client groups. Partnering with Executive and senior leaders, you will help shape workforce strategy, strengthen organisational effectiveness and deliver practical people solutions aligned to AFL priorities, policies and legislative requirements.

This role plays an important part in managing risk, lifting leadership capability and supporting a high-performing, inclusive culture.

This is a 12-month maximum term opportunity.

What you’ll own

You will be a trusted people partner to leaders across your client groups, helping translate business priorities into clear, practical people outcomes.

You’ll add value through:

• Partnering with Executive and senior leaders to support workforce planning, organisational design and strategic people initiatives


• Providing clear, practical advice on performance, employee relations, engagement and leadership matters


• Leading the delivery of key people processes, including recruitment, talent management, succession and performance cycles


• Managing complex employee matters with consistency, sound judgement and a focus on risk mitigation


• Using workforce data, HR systems and insights to inform decisions, identify trends and support continuous improvement


• Building trusted relationships across client groups and with People & Culture teams to deliver joined-up people solutions


• Supporting and leading change initiatives that enable smooth organisational transitions and effective ways of working


• Contributing to enterprise People & Culture programs and strategic projects


• Ensuring people practices align with Australian employment legislation, AFL policies and governance requirements


• Identifying opportunities where AI can streamline processes, enhance insights or improve the employee experience

What you’ll bring

• Degree qualification in Human Resources, Business or a related discipline


• Significant experience in a senior HR business partnering or generalist role


• Strong knowledge of Australian employment legislation, employee relations, industrial relations and compliance requirements


• Demonstrated ability to influence and partner with senior stakeholders in complex environments


• Sound judgement in managing sensitive, complex and confidential employee matters


• Experience using HR systems and workforce data to support evidence-based decision-making


• Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver practical, fit-for-purpose solutions in a fast-paced environment


• Capability to support organisational change, leadership effectiveness and continuous improvement


• A collaborative approach that builds trust across leaders, client groups and People & Culture teams


• Commitment to fostering inclusive, high-performing teams and doing what is right

Why you’ll love being on our team

At the AFL, you will be part of a values-led team that aims high, backs each other and brings energy, care and integrity to work that matters. This is a place where people play to win, play as one team and play with passion, while always staying grounded in fairness, inclusion and respect. We work hard, support each other and create the conditions for our people to grow, perform and thrive.

What you can look forward to:

• Play The Day Your Way, our flexible approach to working life, built to support you on game day and every day


• My Development, with coaching, mentoring, on-the-job learning and formal development to help you keep building your game


• Play Well, our health and wellbeing programme designed to support a healthy body, healthy mind and healthy workplace


• My Benefits, giving you access to a range of partner offers and discounts through our AFL Corporate Partners


• AFL Silver Memberships for permanent team members, so you can enjoy the action at Marvel Stadium and the MCG with family and friends


• 6 months paid primary parental leave with no qualification period for permanent team members

Everyone has a place here

Our game brings people together, and we want our workplace to do the same.

We are committed to building a culture of belonging and an environment where people feel respected, included and able to thrive, and where diversity of background, experience and perspective makes us stronger.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are encouraged to apply.

Whether you’re a footy fan or new to our game, we welcome everyone to apply. We know great candidates don’t always tick every box – if this role excites you, we encourage you to apply, even if your experience doesn’t perfectly match the job description.

The AFL is committed to promoting and protecting the safety and wellbeing of children and young people in our care. Please note, we undertake several screening processes to ensure this commitment is upheld, this includes ensuring the successful candidate to this position holds a valid employee Working with Children/ Vulnerable People check and a satisfactory criminal history record check.

Ready to play your part?

Apply now