Surf Life Saving exists to save lives, create great Australians and build better communities.

Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) is Australia's peak coastal water safety, drowning prevention and rescue authority.

With 193,009 members, of all age groups and demographics across 315 affiliated Surf Life Saving Clubs (SLSCs), SLSA represents the largest volunteer movement of its kind in Australia.

Since Surf Life Saving was established in 1907, over 670,000 lives have been saved. In 2021/22 our Surf Life Saving active members were involved in 8,916 rescues, 58,342 first aid treatments and more than 1.63 million preventative actions. Surf Life Saving volunteers carried out more than 1.31 million patrol hours.

Surf Life Saving is a unique not-for-profit, community cause that exists through community donations, fundraising, corporate sponsorship and government grants.

This position is integral to our mission, driving forward key initiatives and contributing to the overall success of our team. Your expertise will shape our strategic direction and operational efficiency, directly impacting our innovation, growth, and the maintenance of SLSA's iconic Australian brand.

The person who takes on this role will consult with:

• Sport, Learning and Development Managers and other Mission teams
• Senior SLSA Marketing Manager, SLSA's Strategic Communications Manager and SLSA's National Research Manager, and their teams
• National Advisory Committees
• Surf Life Saving State and Territory representatives
• Surf Life Saving Clubs and members
• Australian Sports Commission and Primary Sport Networks
• Volunteering Australia

Your purpose will be:

To take on the responsibility for the implementation of participation initiatives and engagement that will generate new members for SLSA that are reflective of the community we serve.

The role requires someone who can work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to develop and implement strategies to increase awareness, engagement and participation in all levels of Surf Life Saving, with the aim of attracting more members to reflect the community we serve.

This role will be responsible for implementing the participation initiatives of both the Participation and PlayWell Funding agreements and reporting on them.

The successful Participation Manager will understand:

• The sport and participation sector, trends and key stakeholders
• Participation drivers, motivations and barriers and the importance of customer experience
• Product and program design, development and delivery
• Policy, budgets, resource management, and data and technology trends

You will have experience with:

• Aligning partnerships with strategic priorities
• Managing Board and CEO expectations
• Developing, implementing, managing and evaluating sport growth strategies and national programs and services
• Using data to enable evidence-based decision making

As the Participation Manager at SLSA you will need to be:

• Adaptable, positive and courageous
• Driven to achieve positive outcomes
• Responsible and accountable
• Continuously learning and motivating others

You will also thrive on:

• Building relationships and partnerships
• Creating a culture of trust
• Being customer focused
• and showing the ability to strategically plan and be an operational decision-maker

Your key responsibilities will include:

Managing the relationship with Australian Sports Commission Play Well Investment - which includes:

• Implementation and maintenance of a Participation Plan
• Management of the relationship with the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) and the reporting related to this funding body
• Preparation and management of the budget in accordance with ASC funding
• Attending regular meetings with the ASC Participation Advisor, the Primary Sport Network and other meetings/forums organised by the ASC to ensure SLSA is well represented
• Collaboration with others to ensure effective representation of SLSA across this network
• Ensuring SLSA is actively supporting the Coalition of Volunteering and promoting its activities
• Identifying a better reporting mechanism for tracking officials and coaching numbers.

Managing the relationship with Volunteering Australia - which includes:

• Manage relationship with Volunteer Australia and other industry groups, and ensure SLSA is well represented across the volunteering networks.
• Assist the Communications Department to communicate the value and impact of volunteering.
• Create volunteer-led partnerships.
• Develop resources and tools for volunteers in consultation with internal and external stakeholders.
• Establishing a volunteer action plan aligning with the National Strategy for Volunteering.

Particiption and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion - which includes:

Creating programs that are relevant, accessible and sustainable and provide pathways for members, and people in the community to participate in Surf Life Saving.This will include providing a safe and inclusive environment for members and participants in Surf Life Saving to drive membership growth and ensure people feel safe and a sense of belonging - by:

• Managing the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Framework, action plan and deliverables associated with these
• Managing the Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Working Group
• Proactively collaborating and consulting with state/territory SLS entities, advisors, and other industry groups to promote and develop participation strategies
• Overseeing Silver Salties, a modified sport product with the aim of increasing participation among older Australians at affiliated Surf Life Saving Clubs
• Increasing participation in the community, particularly from underrepresented groups in the community, to participate in Surf Life Saving
• Promoting simplified membership categories, increasing community membership and communicating relevant information about Surf Life Saving
• Developing and promoting opportunities for inclusion at all levels of SLS, including; all abilities, people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds and Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Intersex Questioning (LGBTIQ) communities
• Working with the Compliance and Integrity Officer to communicate key updates regarding Child Safety to state bodies and provide support and training
• Contributing to a culturally safe environment for volunteers to join our organisation

Internal functions

• Maintain effective working relationships with SLS staff and stakeholders
• Ensure strategic and operational integration with other areas of the organisation, particularly with the Mission, Shared Services and Finance and Systems Departments
• Manage the Participation budget, ensuring all expenditure is justified and within budget
• Ensure all internal reporting is accurate and provided within set deadlines
• Ensure all external reporting (Government and other) is accurate and provided within set deadlines
• Provide input into annual business and budget planning
• Preparing, organising and facilitating working groups and relevant meetings/workshops Management of personnel
• Manage personnel in line with organisational values, processes, policies and agreed priorities to ensure quality outcomes.

Who You Are

Our ideal candidate will have:

Qualifications

Tertiary qualifications in sport management, project management, business or equivalent and/or experience in a similar role.

Knowledge and Experience

1) Sport and Stakeholder Relationships:

• Experience in a management position with a National Sporting Organisation operating in a federated structure is highly desirable
• Ability to align partnerships with strategic priorities
• Ability to manage expectations of working within a federated structure or similar and writing reports, providing briefings
• Experience in working closely with member based and/or sporting/volunteer based organisations
• Ability to navigate and influence complex and politicised environments
• Ability to engage sector experts and stakeholders to support change and drive outcomes
• Experience in managing government funding agreements and reporting
• Experience in developing, implementing and evaluating membership growth
• Superior stakeholder management and interpersonal skills with the ability to manage relationships, consult, negotiate, advocate and influence with diplomacy to achieve effective outcomes
• Ability to resolve conflict should it arise

2) Project Management and Leadership:

• Experience in developing, implementing, managing and evaluating programs, projects and or products and services
• Experience leading, planning and implementing new participation initiatives
• Ability to put participation plans into action to adapt to the changing landscape
• Experience in managing and developing staff
• Experience in member/volunteer engagement

3) Sport and Participation:

• Understanding of participation drivers and motivations
• Understanding of the sport and participation sector
• Understanding of barriers of entry to sport and volunteering
• Experience in collaborating with diverse groups and achieving successful outcomes in a complex stakeholder environment such as a federated structure or volunteer environment
• Experience in driving participation initiatives and outcomes
• Knowledge and understanding of Surf Life Saving
• Experience in cultivating networks and partnerships across different areas
• Ability to engage with a broad range of communities, including LGBTIQ, CALD, First Nations and people with disabilities

4) Leadership and Business:

• Understanding of policy, budget and resource management principles and requirements
• Experience in developing and leveraging networks
• Excellent written communication skills for the creation of reports, briefing papers, and other materials
• High level of organisational skills with demonstrated ability to prioritise, manage multiple complex tasks concurrently, work under pressure and meet deadlines
• Ability to work with budgetary constraints and allocate resources accordingly
• We are also looking for someone with the:
• Ability to use Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team

3) Skills and Attributes:

• Interpersonal Effectiveness: Ability to build relationships, partnerships and influence.
• Leadership Impact: Create a culture of trust, drive innovation, develop others, facilitate change and guide success.
• Business management skills – Business acumen, customer service, operational decision making and strategic planning

Notes

• Occasional weekend work or outside ordinary business hours work is required

SLSA Benefits and Culture

SLSA is committed to ensuring all employees have a work life balance within their role.

• Hybrid working model with opportunities to work from home and from our Surf Life Saving Australia offices.
• Flexible work arrangements and a healthy work-life balance.
• A supportive and inclusive work environment where your contributions are valued.
• Competitive salary and opportunities for career development and advancement.
• Chance to make a meaningful impact.
• As Surf Life Saving is a not-for-profit organisation, you will have access to salary packaging.

Ready to Make a Difference?

If you're ready to join a dynamic team and contribute to SLSA, we want to hear from you! Apply now and be part of our mission to save lives and keep our beaches safe!

Eligibility

Please note that only applicants with the eligibility to work in Australia will be considered for this role. To be successful, you must hold Australian Working Rights or Australian Citizenship.

Surf Life Saving is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to creating a fair and inclusive workplace. SLSA values diversity and encourages all qualified individuals to apply for any of our recruitment opportunities.

SLSA ensures a commitment to safeguarding children and young people.

All candidates will be required to undertake a working with children check before commencing work with SLSA.

SLSA provides workplace adjustments for people with a disability.

SLSA reserve the right not to proceed with any appointment.

SLSA reserves the right to interview candidates or fill the position prior to the closing date if a suitable applicant is found.

Desirable Criteria

• Relevant Tertiary Qualification
• Sports Management / Business Degree
• Working with Children / Working with Vulnerable People Check