Background

Australian Sailing is the national governing body to advance, promote, administer and grow the sport of sailing. Through advocacy and partnerships with government and industry; Australian Sailing works to achieve support for programs and activities for the benefit of the sport. We provide leadership to maintain and enhance standards and enrich the quality and reputation of sailing for the collective and mutual benefit of Members, Associates and Participants. Australian Sailing represents the interests of Australian Sailing as a member of World Sailing, the Australian Olympic Committee and Paralympics Australia. 

Our Purpose

To grow sailing by leading, inspiring and supporting sailors and their communities.

Our People

The future of Australian Sailing lies in our people. We will proactively attract, train, support and retain people who love Sailing and are committed to achieving our purpose.

Our Culture

Our values define our character and guide how we behave as we collectively do what is right for Sailing.

• Respect - We value each other’s experience and knowledge.
• Integrity - We act honestly and take responsibility.
• Teamwork - We work as one crew to help each other perform.
• Excellence - We exceed expectations and strive for the best.

Our Strategic Pillars

• Support - An enhanced Sailing delivery system delivering positive and rewarding Sailing experiences.
• Grow - More people on the water, in more ways, more often.
• Win - #1 Olympic Sailing nation in the world, uniting and inspiring Australia.

Our Strategic Foundations

• Future Focus - Our cultural, governance and integrity, operating and financial frameworks are best practice and perfectly placed to support our organisation and Sailing's delivery system into the future.
• Diversity & Inclusion - Sailing is a great way to show how diverse and inclusive we can be as a nation. We want to see Sailing reflecting our communities. Inclusive sport = inclusive communities, and Sailing is part of this.
• Environmental Sustainability - With the ocean, lakes and rivers as our playground, Sailing and the environment are intrinsically connected. We play an active role in ensuring all Australians have clean and safe waterways on which to sail.
• Innovation - We are open to new ideas and will continually challenge our assumptions to improve the way we operate.
• Safety - We promote a Sailing safety culture.
• Partnerships - We positively partner with all elements of the Australian Sailing community for the benefit of Sailing.

Child Safety

Australian Sailing is committed to protecting children from harm. We require all applicants that will work with children to undergo an extensive screening process prior to appointment.

Diversity & Inclusion

At Australian Sailing, a diverse and inclusive workplace is one where all employees, contractors, and volunteers feel valued and respected. We are committed to a non-discriminatory approach and providing equal opportunity for employment and advancement in all of our departments, programs, and worksites. We respect and value diverse life experiences and heritages and ensure that all voices are valued and heard.

We’re committed to modelling diversity and inclusion inside the organisation and to the sailing community of Australia, and to maintaining an inclusive environment with equitable treatment for all.

The Role

Reporting to the High Performance Director, the High Performance Pathways Manager is responsible for the strategic leadership, people management and operational delivery of the overall performance pathways program and initiatives across the Australian Sailing high performance program. Will serve as an active participant and member of Australian Sailing’s high performance program program’s management team.

Work collaboratively with the valued AIS and State Institute/Academies of Sport partners to drive the systems, planning and programs to accelerate athlete and coach development at national performance pathway, state and targeted club level.  This role will be supported by the sport-specific technical sailing expertise of Australian Sailing’s Technical Director and Sailing State Program Leads / Head Coaches, HP Pathways Athlete & Coach Development Lead, National Coaches and staff where applicable).

Principle Accountabilities

Support the objectives and strategic priorities of Australian Sailing’s High Performance (HP) Strategy 2032+ to build a pool of sailors and coaches to deliver repeatable success (on and off the water) in the LA 2028 and Brisbane 2032 Olympic cycles.

• In collaboration with the HP Director and key internal stakeholders, lead and execute the performance pathway elements of Australian Sailing’s HP Strategy 2032+, State Sailing Pathways Program (SSPP) and additional state-based programs to ensure alignment, prioritisation of resources and effective delivery of athlete and coach development initiatives.
• Engage, connect and build strong relationships with key stakeholders across the sailing community, and the broader sport system network, leveraging resources, expertise and investment.
• Line manage Australian Sailing employed staff across the decentralised national performance pathways workforce, enabling effective class coverage across the national performance pathways system and athlete/coach mobility across the national system and up and down levels as required.
• Develop and deliver the annual camps and tours for National Futures Squads and direct the delivery and execution of interstate collaboration opportunities.
• Oversee the selection/categorisation processes for Pre-Emerging, Emerging and Developing level athletes, SSPPs and tours where athletes access class specific domestic and international coaching support – aligned to Australian Sailing’s Athlete Development Framework – What It Takes To Win (ADF-WITTW).
• Ensure that performance pathways has a good understanding of ‘on the radar’ (below the HP system) sailors that may have high performance potential in identified classes and can engage with them and their parents, guardians and any significant others to offer advice and pathway visibility.
• Oversee a range of HP education / training workshops in collaboration with Performance Pathways, National Squads and other relevant Australian Sailing HP program staff.
• Manage the national performance pathways budget and all State Institute/Academy of Sport (SIS/SAS) partnership agreements within the National Institute Network (NIN), inclusive of serving as the primary point of contact for SIS/SAS Program Managers and AIS Pathways Team.
• Develop and maintain effective system evaluation and reporting processes to ensure programs can understand their identified gaps, plan and report effectively.
• Ensure athletes and coaches are working in safe and effective daily performance environments and have robust and holistic development plans in place.
• Ensure Australian Sailing’s performance pathways program is understood, visible, and relevant to stakeholders.
• Lead the implementation and ongoing delivery of the Australian Sailing Performance Pathways Leadership Team made up of SIS/SAS State Sailing Program Leads and Head Coaches.
• Lead the NSW SSPP planning, delivery, and monitoring/review of the NSWIS Sailing program
• Support in the design of a stakeholder management plan to support building and maintain relationships.
• Undertake administrative responsibilities, including regular progress reports and operational/logistics meetings with AS, NSWIS or performance pathways staff in the timelines required.
• Participate in regular AST and/or AS Performance Pathway Team Meetings via video conference and/or in person where required.
• Work with relevant Performance Pathway staff to produce and action an agreed professional development plan (IDP).
• Work closely with the state pathways coordinator to support agreed underpinning camps, key youth regattas and/or other initiatives, aimed at strengthening and developing the pathway toward performance programs e.g. Any #Nextgen activity.
• Attend and actively participate in identified sailing initiatives across the state to aid athlete and coach development within the underpinning club and class association network and inform talent identification for future NSWIS SSPP selections.
• Adhere to AS/NSWIS values and behaviours while operating within their environment.
• Adhere AS/NSWIS policies and guidelines and report any breaches to relevant bodies.
• Support the maintenance of all supplied equipment to the NSWIS program.
• Oversee the delivery of collaborative Australian Sailing and NIN projects (i.e. Sail Our Way).

Key Relationships

Attributes

To Apply

To apply, please email CV and cover letter addressing the position attributes to careers@sailing.org.au For more information regarding this position, please contact Iain Brambell, High Performance Director iain.brambell@sailing.org.au or 0413 668 055.

Closing Date - 25 June 2026