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 Australian Paralympic Committee. 

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

As a member of the Australian Sailing’s Performance Support team, the Athlete Wellbeing & Engagement (AW&E) Advisor will drive holistic athlete development to positively impact training and performance. 

The AW&E Advisor will assist Australian Sailing to achieve its targets by:

• Leading delivery of the Australian Sailing Personal Excellence framework throughout the performance pathway.
• Work with athletes, Australian Sailing National Coaches, NSWIS Coaches and performance support staff in the daily performance environment to support individual campaign plans to optimally prepare for the 2028 and 2032 Olympic Games.
• Collaborate with the National Institute Networks (NIN) to deliver services along the performance pathway designed to improve an athletes’ ability to effectively navigate the critical transition points throughout and beyond their sporting career.

Principal Accountabilities

• Develop and reinforce strong working relationships with key stakeholders to deliver impactful interventions.
• Undertake a collaborative, athlete-centred case management approach to ensure priority athletes are maximising their availability to train and compete.
• Work with Australian Sailing and NSWIS HP staff and coaches to design and deliver world class systems and support to athletes and coaches across the sailing system. This may include:
  • Assist athletes in setting and achieving career, education, personal, and professional goals by developing actionable plans, offering guidance, and connecting them with relevant resources and opportunities.
  • Provide strategic support to Australian Sailing’s High Performance program, its High Performance Management Team and the NIN Sailing AW&E Advisors, in the implementation and delivery of the Australian Sailing Personal Excellence Framework.
  • Collaborate with High Performance program staff and coaches to ensure athlete wellbeing is consistently considered in strategic and operational decisions in line with Australian Sailing’s High Performance Strategy 2032+ and Athlete Development Framework- What It Takes to Win. 
  • Design, develop, and deliver or facilitate bespoke workshops that align with the Australian Sailing Performance Excellence framework, addressing contemporary issues faced by high-performance athletes. 
  • Implement and review policies and procedures that are aligned to support the holistic development, safety and protection of Australian Sailing and NSWIS athletes eg. Australian Sailing Non-Nomination Guidelines.
  • Work closely with the Australian Sailing Lead Psychologist and NSWIS/QAS Sailing Psychologist to manage athlete wellbeing in line with Australian Sailing’s Wellbeing Management Plan.
  • Adopt an individualised case management approach when assessing athlete needs and refer appropriately. 
  • Establish, maintain and connect with the various referral networks available, including the AIS Mental Health National Referral Network, AIS Career Practitioner Referral Network and the Elite Sport Education Network
  • In partnership with other HP staff, manage and develop AW&E strategies to deliver the best support for athletes to facilitate effective inductions, positive transitions and exits post-sport.
  • Support athlete representatives on Australian Sailing’s Athlete Leadership Group to effectively consult and communicate with their cohorts to facilitate productive engagement and contribution to the group.
  • Connect regularly with the AIS AW&E Network to remain at the forefront of support possibilities, drive continuous improvement in the AW&E program, and leverage existing pathways to facilitate opportunities for athletes
  • Drive partnerships with key education, business and community stakeholders to enable mutually beneficial outcomes ie, flexible employment opportunities and apprenticeships.
• Engage in ongoing professional development specifically (but not limited to) in the areas of mental health, wellbeing, athlete conduct and safety and protection, education, career mapping and transition within the context of the high performance environment.
• Ensure effective communication with performance support teams, athletes and coaches throughout the Australian Sailing and NSWIS HP programs.
• Consistently display and uphold NSWIS and Australian Sailing’s values and behaviours.
• Consistently display and uphold Australian Sailing Team’s athlete initiated 5R’s: Resourcefulness, Respect, Resilience, Responsibility & Results.
• Work collaboratively, respectfully, and positively when addressing conflict resolution, ensuring Australian Sailing and NSWIS policies and procedures are followed.
• Ensure consistent alignment with Australian Sailing and NSWIS planning, delivery and monitoring frameworks, and technology platforms with staff and coaches and externally with system partners.

Key Relationships

Attributes

Qualifications & Experience 
Essential:

• 3 years experience in the provision and application any of career, education, counselling and professional /personal development services for improved performance.
• Experience in managing, leading and developing people to achieve performance outcomes
• Demonstrated high level experience guiding and supporting people through various transition, educational and vocational pathways
• Proven experience building and leveraging relationships to influence and work effectively with a wide range of stakeholders
• Demonstrated high level experience implementing case management or triage processes to ensure appropriate care and referral are accessible
• Demonstrated experience to develop, plan and deliver athlete individualised strategies and activities to address the identified wellbeing, career, personal and professional development needs of NSOs athletes
• Experience and commitment to delivering best practice in career development support, education, vocational options and guidance
• Experience in establishing, maintaining, broadening and leveraging connections with relevant service industry networks
• Experience working with psychologists to support Mental Health and Wellbeing
• Relevant tertiary qualifications in Education, Career Guidance, Personal Development (Arts, Business, or Sciences undergraduate degree) or similar.
• First Aid and Resuscitation certificate.
• Current Working with Children Check (WWCC).
• Current driver’s licence.

Desirable:

• Master’s degree desirable (Psychology, Sports Management, Coaching, etc.)
• Career counselling accreditation desirable (CICA).
• Mental health certification (desirable) / understanding the causes of mental health presentations in an elite athlete population.
• Demonstrated experience working within a multi-disciplinary team within a high performance environment.
• Keep Australian Sport Honest Certificate.

Knowledge and Skills

• Awareness of contemporary issues relating to athletes in high performance sport (mental health, wellbeing, social issues).
• Demonstrated ability and commitment to work in a multi-disciplinary/high performance environment and interacting with high performance coaches and athletes.
• Proven ability to undertake leadership and management responsibilities, including staff learning and development
• Demonstrated ability to establish, implement, maintain and grow community partnerships to provide opportunities for athletes to engage and integrate with activities outside training and competition
• Strong understanding of the Australian sport system, in particular High Performance
• Contemporary knowledge of issues impacting mental health and wellbeing and experience with implementing best practice support
• Sport Integrity Australia (SIA) Anti-doping fundamentals.
• SIA Anti-doping Annual Update.
• SIA Child Safeguarding in Sport Certificate.

Personal Attributes

• Personal and professional values that align with the sporting values of respect, integrity, teamwork and excellence;
• A genuine passion for athlete development;
• Ability to build and sustain effective and productive relationships with diverse stakeholders;
• Innovative approach to addressing complex and challenging problems with a strong orientation to learning;
• High level of accountability/ responsibility with commitment to customer service;
• Works collaboratively and recognises expertise in others;  
• Ability to influence and negotiate outcomes; and
• Flexible and adaptable with respect to working outside of traditional working hours as the position will involve some travel and possible weekend and after-hours work.

Key Performance Indicators

Annual key performance measures will be generated in collaboration with the AS Performance Support Manager and NSWIS Section Lead - AW&E and reviewed yearly as part the position’s annual review process. 

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 Ashley Wolff, Performance Support Manager ashley.wolff@sailing.org.au

Please note that following the closing date of this position, NSWIS will take carriage of the recruitment process including the employment of the successful candidate.

Closing date: 11 September 2025