Senior Sales Lead, Leagues (Docklands, Victoria, AU) na Australian Football League (AFL)

ABOUT US

As an organisation, the AFL works tirelessly in all states and at all levels to enhance and grow the game – from grassroots to elite. Together, we put on the game, deliver important events, communicate with our fans, run community programs, develop coaches and umpires, collaborate with partners, delight members, support clubs and so much more. While our roles may vary, we are all united by a common goal, to progress the game for everyone to love and connect with Australia’s game.

The AFL is committed to promoting and protecting the safety and wellbeing of children and young people in our care. Please note, we undertake several screening processes to ensure this commitment is upheld, this includes ensuring the successful candidate to this position holds a valid employee Working with Children/ Vulnerable People check and a satisfactory criminal history record check.

We are an Equal Opportunity employer and firmly believe that diversity and inclusion is an important part of both the AFL and the communities in which we operate. Our game is for everyone, and we strive to be a workplace for everyone.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are encouraged to apply.

ABOUT THE ROLE

This is a leadership role within the AFL Commercial department, tasked with driving the AFL & AFLW commercial growth agenda. The role will work collaboratively with the Marvel Stadium Sales Lead, the Senior Digital Sales Lead, and the Corporate Partnerships Teams.

The role is ultimately responsible for generating sponsorship revenue to achieve and exceed targets, in a way that supports the broader AFL business. The successful candidate will have an impressive track record driving commercial revenue for other rights holders.

In addition to business development capabilities, the ideal candidate for this role will be a strategic thinker with proven experience pitching and presenting strategic solutions that achieve a brand’s objectives. Furthermore, the candidate will also require understanding of sponsorship, brand marketing, business strategy, digital, insights, and analytics, along with the ability to build compelling and convincing narratives. The ability to lead and develop people, quickly build strong relationships with senior corporate partner stakeholders, and work collaboratively with internal AFL departments and colleagues will be critical to the success of this role. It is integral that all commercial growth is in line with and supports the strategy of the AFL, Corporate Partners, Marvel Stadium, AFL Clubs and other key stakeholders.

Applications will be reviewed as received, so we strongly encourage early applications. However, we will be closed for our annual closure period from December 22 2025, returning January 12 2026. Over this closure period, applications will not be responded to during this time.  

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF

Acting in a strategic business development capacity, the Senior Sales Lead will take an active leadership approach to:

• Develop a go-to-market strategy for achieving AFL & AFLW commercial growth targets
• Identify suitable target brands within available categories
• Prospect via phone, online and personal networks to arrange meetings with prospective sponsors, with a view to extracting sponsorship briefs
• Understand target brand’s business, brand and marketing objectives and the role of sponsorship to help them achieve these
• Work with internal AFL stakeholders including the Commercial Strategy & Insights team, Marvel Stadium team, AFL Media, AFL Football Operations and Fan teams to build solutions that can be pitched to prospective sponsors
• Evolve and develop sales collateral, including the creation of a narrative that enables you to best represent AFL & AFLW sponsorship opportunities throughout the sale process
• Negotiate commercial terms with sponsors and liaise with AFL Legal team to finalise legal agreements
• Support the broader Commercial Growth agenda, which includes providing business development support to commercial targets across Community, Marvel Stadium & Digital
• Develop relationships with the Corporate Partnerships team to ensure smooth transition and induction of new sponsors
• Support the Corporate Partnerships team on AFL & AFLW Partner renewals

OUR IDEAL TEAM MEMBER

      Mandatory:

• People leadership experience
• Understanding of sponsorship and broader marketing strategy
• Demonstrable experience in selling sponsorship and/or media
• Comfortable cold calling and networking
• Strategic thinker who can extract briefs through understanding business, brand, and marketing objectives
• Quick and genuine relationship builder, with ability to influence CEOs, CMOs, Marketing Managers etc.
• Excellent pitching and presenting skills
• Confident, considered, and calculated negotiation skills
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills
• Strong work ethic, with hunger to learn and develop
• Ability to work independently and manage the sales process from end to end
• Team player with a desire to support and improve other members of the team

Desired:

• 10 years’ experience in business development, ideally within sport sponsorship
• Marketing, Business, Media, or Public Relations related degree
• Network of brands and agencies that can be leveraged for leads
• Understanding of digital marketing

OUR CULTURE

Please visit www.afl.com.au/careers/our-organisation

THE PERKS

• Play The Day Your Way – a flexible approach to your working life
• My Development – lean into the AFL’s My Development program consisting of on-the-job training, coaching and mentoring, and formal learning
• Play Well – access to our extensive Health and Wellbeing program centered around our belief in a healthy body, healthy mind, and healthy workplace
• My Benefits – with thanks to our AFL Corporate Partners, access great benefits and discounts
• AFL Silver Memberships – permanent team members can access AFL matches at Marvel Stadium and the MCG, enjoy and share the experience of our game with your family and friends!

Applications Close: 19 December 2025