National Coach Development Manager
ABOUT SWIMMING AUSTRALIA
Swimming is Australia’s most successful Olympic and Paralympic sport, and there’s never been a more exciting time to join us. Our purpose is simple yet powerful: inspiring Australia through swimming. Guided by our values of Courage, Unity, and Excellence, we are building a high performance culture across every part of our organisation. We are on the hunt for a highly capable National Coach Development Manager to will lead the ongoing implementation, activation and refinement of the Swimming Australia National Coaching Framework.
ABOUT THE ROLE
The National Coach Development Manager is responsible for both strategic and operational responsibilities towards a nationally aligned approach to coach education, development, licencing, engagement and workforce planning. More specifically, the coach development strategy supports the recruitment, development, progression and retention of a skilled, diverse and future-focused Australian swim coaching workforce, from community and participation environments through to performance pathways.
Ideally located in our Melbourne office working in a hybrid model, to be considered for this role, you will have demonstrated experience in coach development within the Australian sporting landscape, including the development and delivery of coach education programs, resources and learning activities. You will bring a strong understanding of the role coaches play across the sporting system, including the practical challenges, responsibilities and nuances of coaching at different stages of the pathway. Importantly, you will be able to translate this understanding into meaningful coach development opportunities that are relevant, engaging and capable of creating genuine impact for coaches and the environments in which they work. Experience within a National Sporting Organisation, State Sporting Organisation or a comparable swimming, aquatic or industry leadership role will be highly regarded.
What You’ll Do
- Coach Education – supporting a progressive, inclusive and evidence-informed education system that builds coaching capability across the workforce.
- Coach Licencing – Lead licence renewal processes on an annual basis that supports on-going compliance management and line of sight of the Australian Swim Coach workforce.
- Coach support and retention – lead new and existing initiatives that improve connection, mentoring, recognition, professional growth and long-term engagement in coaching.
- Partnerships and alignment – fostering trusted relationships with internal and external stakeholders to support national consistency, reduce duplication, and strengthen the visibility and value of coaching.
- Leadership and continuous improvement – embedding Swimming Australia’s values into coach development systems, governance, and delivery, while supporting innovation, workforce diversity and sustainability.
What You Bring
- A minimum of 5 years experience working within or alongside a National or State Sporting Organisation, or equivalent with demonstrated knowledge of the Australian sporting landscape.
- Tertiary qualifications in Sports Management and/or relevant experience as a coach or coach administrator.
- Experience managing coach education, including involvement in the development, coordination or delivery of coach education programs, resources or learning activities.
- Experience and skilled in developing strong relationships; influencing and motivating staff and key stakeholders.
- A growth mindset, always looking for better ways to deliver impact.
Applications close 5pm Sunday 2nd August 2026. Submit your resume, cover letter and responses to the screening questions to be considered.
Swimming Australia, we celebrate diversity and champion inclusion. We believe innovation comes from different perspectives, and we’re committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and empowered.
We are also committed to promoting and protecting the safety and wellbeing of children and young people through our safeguarding children practices. Candidates should be aware this includes a number of screening processes during the recruitment and selection process to ensure we uphold this commitment. All employees at Swimming Australia are required to hold a valid employee Working with Children and a satisfactory criminal history check.
