Community Manager

ROLE SUMMARY

Reporting to the CEO, the Community Manager is responsible for leading the strategic direction and delivery of the Central Coast Mariners' community strategy, programs, and engagement initiatives across the Central Coast and broader football community.

This role is responsible for growing the Club's community footprint through participation programs, school engagement, grassroots football partnerships, charitable initiatives, community events, and strategic partnerships. The Community Manager plays an important role in strengthening relationships with members, local football clubs, schools, councils, sponsors, and community organisations while contributing to the Club's broader strategic, commercial, and brand objectives.

The successful candidate will have experience in community engagement, program management, stakeholder relationship management, and event delivery. They will be highly organised, commercially aware, collaborative, and passionate about creating meaningful community outcomes while delivering exceptional experiences for participants, supporters, and partners.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and execute the Central Coast Mariners' community strategy in alignment with the Club's objectives, driving participation, community impact, supporter engagement, and long-term growth.
• Lead the planning, delivery, and continuous improvement of the Club's community programs, including school programs, holiday clinics, football participation initiatives, player appearances, community events, and charitable initiatives.
• Serve as the primary Club contact for community engagement, building and maintaining strong relationships with local football clubs, Football Australia, Northern NSW Football, Central Coast Football, schools, councils, government agencies, sponsors, charities, and community organisations.
• Identify, develop, and manage strategic community partnerships, funding opportunities, and collaborative initiatives that strengthen the Club's community presence and support broader organisational objectives.
• Manage the Community budget, including annual planning, forecasting, expenditure, reporting, grant acquittals, and financial reconciliation, ensuring resources are effectively managed and are achieved.
• Oversee the Club's donation request program, ensuring requests are managed in line with Club priorities and community engagement objectives.
• Lead the Club's A-Leagues Match Day Community Program, including community activations, local club engagement, player appearances, player mascots and halftime experiences.
• Manage Adelaide Street and maximising opportunities for engagement, and commercial outcomes.
• Lead the casual coaching staff and foster a high-performing, collaborative team.
• Work closely with the rest of the office and football to deliver integrated initiatives to maximise community outcomes.
• Monitor performance, trends, and community needs, preparing regular reports and insights to support strategic decision-making and continuous improvement.
• Ensure all community programs and activities comply with Club policies, safeguarding standards, financial procedures, and Football Australia and A-Leagues requirements.

SOFT SKILLS

• Passionate about building relationships and creating positive community outcomes.
• Strong leadership, stakeholder management, and collaboration skills.
• Highly organised, self-motivated, and results oriented.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Strong planning, problem-solving, and ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Proactive, adaptable, and comfortable operating across strategic and operational activities.
• Strong commercial awareness with an understanding of community's role in broader Club objectives.
• Ability to work independently while contributing positively within a high-performing team.
• Genuine passion for football, community sport, and enhancing the supporter experience.

HARD / TECHNICAL SKILLS

• Degree in Sport Management, Community Development, Business, Marketing, or related discipline (preferred but not essential).
• Experience in community engagement, program management, sport development, or event delivery.
• Experience delivering community programs, school initiatives, and participation activities.
• Experience managing stakeholders, partnerships, budgets, reporting, and administration is desirable.
• Understanding of safeguarding, risk management, and participant experience.
• Experience managing volunteers and casual staff.
• Strong planning, organisational, and reporting skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
• Experience in professional sport or membership-based organisations is desirable.