Physiotherapy Manager

About the Victorian Institute of Sport:

The Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS) was set up to assist the development of Victoria’s best athletes. It was established in 1990 by the State Government as a private trustee company, with its Board of Directors appointed by the Victorian Minister for Sport.

The VIS is located at Lakeside Stadium, Albert Park. The VIS headquarters completed a renovation in February 2023, providing a brand new workspace for athletes and staff.  It is a non-residential institute, which utilises Melbourne’s outstanding sporting facilities, to allow high performance athletes to live and train in Melbourne, the sporting capital of Australia.

The VIS operates in partnership with National Sporting Organisations and State Sporting Associations to deliver high performance daily training environments (DTEs) for sports and athletes in support of the National High Performance Sport Strategy outcomes. Our facility and staff help prepare and support future and current Olympic, Paralympic, Commonwealth Games and World Champion athletes. 
 

Employee Benefits:

The Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS) provides a supportive work environment for you to be your best whilst supporting Victoria's best athletes. In addition, all employees have access to:

• 2xu gear to proudly represent the VIS brand
• Friday Staff Sport - to get that competitive energy out and socialise with all staff
• Heavily subsidised access to St Ali barista coffee and Albert Park parking
• Professional development opportunities 
• Newly renovated office with ergonomic sit/stand desks and plenty of natural light & open windows 
• Free access to gym, boxing classes and pool/recovery facilities 

About the role:

The Manager, Physiotherapy & STT will primarily be responsible for leading the direction of the Victorian Institute of Sports’ Physiotherapy and Soft Tissue Therapy services. The role will involve managing Physiotherapy and Soft Tissue Therapy employees as well as providing physiotherapy services to athletes where required to ensure that maximum impact is achieved. Building a broader network of practitioners and playing an active role in their development as professionals will also be a key function of the role.

Responsibilities include but not limited to: 

• In collaboration with the Chief Medical Officer develop and execute the VIS Physiotherapy and Soft Tissue Therapy Job Description: Manager, Physiotherapy & STT 2 strategy, including contributing to delivering the VIS’ 2032+ strategic plan
• Coordinate the VIS Physiotherapy team and Soft Tissue Therapy services
• Ensure that Physiotherapists and Soft Tissue Therapists are operating within the boundaries outlined in the AIS SSSM Best Practices and Principles Framework
• Deliver Physiotherapy at key times to have maximum performance impact. This will include a mixture of management activities and hands on Physiotherapy
• Identify appropriate practitioners within the industry to work specifically with VIS programs or to operate as part of the internal service team
• In collaboration with the Head Coaches, Program Managers and other service providers, develop a strong culture of integration and information sharing that will ultimately benefit athlete development/performance and staff engagement
• Attend training sessions and competitions where appropriate to further support growth and strategic priorities
• Advise VIS Physiotherapists with regard to managing complex injuries and issues relating to injuries and should the need arise, refer cases on to the most appropriate clinic, specialist or rehabilitation environment
• Liaise with the AIS and NSO Physiotherapy Leads to ensure that there is strategic alignment with the sports and National initiatives
• Work closely with key stakeholders, both internal and external, to ensure the necessary clean data is collected for each sport program to allow for appropriate analysis that positively impacts the management and development of athletes
• Continuously create opportunities to develop professionally the VIS Physiotherapy and Soft Tissue Therapy team (internal and external network)
• Deliver professional development sessions to program coaches/managers, Sport Science and Strength & Conditioning staff
• Collaborate with other discipline health leads and the high performance department including, General Managers, Sports Science and Physical Preparation teams as well as SIS/SAS Performance staff as required
• Ascertain and manage key research initiatives, particularly with respect to athlete performance and injury, in collaboration with the sports and tertiary institutions to have a positive impact on VIS programs

Required Skills & Experience: 

• Tertiary qualification in Physiotherapy
• Titled APA Sports or Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist
• Registered Physiotherapist with AHPRA
• Current First-Aid certificate
• Current Drivers Licence
• Current WWCC
• At least 10 years experience in a high-performance sport environment
• Experience in managing, leading and supporting personal/professional development of staff
• Demonstrated ability to work within a team as well as the ability to work independently.
• Possess a high level of personal initiative and autonomy
• Experience in strategic planning, preparing reports and coordinating operational budgets
• Demonstrated knowledge of injury epidemiology and management in elite sport
• Demonstrated a strong grasp of injury prevention strategies, including the use of load monitoring tools
• Demonstrated ability to provide appropriate physiotherapy, including individualised case management, manual therapy and exercise programs for individual athletes and groups of athletes
• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgement, observe confidentiality and use discretion and initiative
• Be hands-on and multi task in the role; an ability to move effectively between strategic and operational levels
• Experience using the Smartabase AMS platform

Applications close 31st August 2026. 

The VIS is committed to ensuring a safe and inclusive space for all, celebrating our differences where everyone is valued, included and supported. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, cultures, genders, identities, ages, and abilities including those who identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and people with a disability. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable opportunities for all, including making reasonable adjustments in recruitment and workplace processes to ensure everyone can perform at their best.

As an organisation we are committed to protecting children and young people from harm. Anyone involved with the VIS must understand their responsibility in relation to child safety. Our organisation requires all applicants to obtain a 'Working with Children Check' prior to appointment.