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VFL Football Operations Manager
Carlton Football Club
The Carlton Football Club, nicknamed the Blues, is a professional Australian rules football club that competes in the Australian Football League, the sport's top professional competition.
Job Posted- 23 Sep 2026
Status- Full Time
Location- Australia
Closing date- 12 Oct 2026
About the Role
Reporting to the Head of Football Operations and Special Projects, the VFL Football Operations Manager is responsible for the end to end operational delivery of the Carlton VFL program.
This is a part-time contractor role structured across two days per week, including training evenings twice per week and VFL match days. The role oversees the full weekly operations cycle of the VFL program — from scheduling and compliance through to match day execution and is responsible for managing program staff, administering the VFL program budget and ensuring compliance with VFL and AFL rules and regulations.
Working closely with VFL coaching staff, the Head of Football Operations and Carlton AFL program staff, the VFL Football Operations Manager drives consistency in process, culture and player experience across the program, whilst creating an elite development environment that best prepares AFL listed players for senior football.
Key Responsibilities
- Oversee the end to end operational delivery of the Carlton VFL program across pre-season and in-season periods, including preparing and distributing the weekly program memo and coordinating all football scheduling.
- Manage the VFL program budget, including tracking expenditure, reconciling match payments and ensuring the program operates within approved financial parameters.
- Manage and develop VFL program staff and volunteers, including property staff, student placements and match day contractors.
- Ensure the VFL program operates in full compliance with VFL competition rules, AFL regulations and CBA obligations at all times.
- Manage the weekly team lodgement process, including injury reports, local releases and unlisted player elevations, and submit team lists to AFL contacts and PlayHQ within required timeframes.
- Prepare and submit all club-initiated incident referrals to the VFL Match Review Panel by the required deadline.
- Lead and execute all match day operations for the Carlton VFL program, including home and away games covering pre-match preparation, in-game operations and post-match processes.
- Coordinate interstate travel and match day logistics for all away games.
- Act as the primary operational contact between the Carlton VFL program and AFL and VFL competition management.
- Maintain accurate player records, program databases and compliance documentation throughout the season.
Experience, Skills and Attributes
- Tertiary qualification in Sports Management, Business Administration or a related discipline.
- Demonstrated experience in football operations, program administration or a similar coordination role within an AFL, VFL or Talent Pathway environment.
- Working knowledge of VFL and AFL rules and regulations, including team lodgement processes, MRP requirements, PlayHQ and AFL compliance obligations.
- Demonstrated experience managing budgets and financial records in an operational context.
- Experience managing staff, volunteers and contractors in a fast-paced sporting environment.
- Proficiency with TeamWorks, PlayHQ, Microsoft Office Suite and communication platforms used within a football department context.
- Highly organised and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple competing priorities under strict deadlines.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trusted working relationships with players, coaching staff, medical staff and AFL contacts.
- Discreet and professional, with a thorough understanding of confidentiality in an elite football environment.
- Self-motivated, reliable and calm under pressure - particularly on match day.
- Ability to work flexibly across training evenings and all VFL match days throughout the season.
- Valid Victorian Working with Children Check, National Police Check and current driver's licence.
Benefits and Culture
Carlton's values underpin how the Club operates, describing how our people work together, interact and behave. The Club is passionate about its culture, focused on cultivating a unique sense of belonging and connection. This role offers a genuine opportunity to contribute to an elite football environment and play an important part in the operational delivery of Carlton's VFL program.
The Carlton Football Club is an equal opportunity employer and a place who welcomes all. We encourage people with diverse experiences and backgrounds to apply. We are committed to fostering a workplace environment which is inclusive, safe and flexible. All applicants will be considered based on the relevance of their abilities to the role and their alignment with our Club Values.
The Carlton Football Club is committed to providing a welcoming environment where the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people involved in our programs, services, activities, events, and the broader community, will always be our first priority. All staff must hold (or be willing to obtain) a current Victorian Working with Children Check and valid Police Check as part of their engagement with the Club.
Essential Requirements
- Sports Management / Business Degree
- National Police / Criminal History Check
- Working with Children / Working with Vulnerable People Check
- Drivers Licence
Desirable Criteria
- Relevant Tertiary Qualification
How to Apply
Please click “Apply Now” to begin your application.