Nib Newcastle Knights – Pathways Operations Manager
Location: Newcastle, NSW, Australia
Full-Time (Fixed term)
The Newcastle Knights are entering a bold and exciting new era, driven by our commitment to becoming the leading development club in the NRL. As part of our strategic vision, we are investing heavily in our pathways systems to create sustained success and develop the next generation of rugby league talent.
We are currently seeking an exceptional Pathways Operations Manager to join our Football Department. This is a rare opportunity to play a pivotal role in a club rich in tradition, known for its grit, driven to inspire, and ultimately determined to win.
About the Position
Reporting to the General Manager of Pathways, the successful candidate will be responsible for the administration, logistics and operational management of the Newcastle Knights Pathways Programs. This role oversees the day-to-day operations of both the Male and Female Pathways Programs, ensuring alignment with strategic goals and club values.
The Pathways Operations Manager provides leadership and direction to the Pathways Operations Assistant, ensuring effective support across all operational areas. This role is critical in driving operational excellence and consistency across all pathways teams through the implementation of leading systems and processes.
Key focus areas include:
* Leading operational management across seven pathways teams (Harold Matthews, SG Ball, Lisa Fiaola, Tarsha Gale, Jersey Flegg, NSW Cup and Harvey Norman Women's Premiership)
* Developing and maintaining standardised templates, processes and central documentation systems
* Managing compliance, player registration and reporting functions
* Coordinating draws, schedules, venue bookings and travel arrangements
* Serving as Club Contact at Pathways home games
* Managing the Pathways Operations Assistant and supporting their professional development
* Driving continuous improvement in operational processes and knowledge management
About Us
The nib Newcastle Knights are an Australian professional Rugby League Football Club based in Newcastle, New South Wales. The Knights compete in the National Rugby League (NRL) premiership. We are owned by The Wests Group Australia, Newcastle's owned and operated (not-for-profit) membership-based organisation.
The Knights Way: Our Values
* Tradition: We are humble and proud of our blue-collar origins. We respect our past, which shapes our future.
* Grit: In times of adversity we find a way, through hard-work, toughness and tenacity.
* Inspire: We inspire our members, supporters and community through all our actions, achievements and effort.
* Win: We apply a winning mindset to everything we do and create moments to win.
About You
To thrive in this role, you will be a highly organised and detail-oriented operations professional with:
* Proven experience in sports administration or high-performance operations
* Demonstrated leadership and people management capability
* Strong systems thinking with a drive for continuous improvement
* Exceptional organisational and project management skills
* Outstanding communication and stakeholder management abilities
* A collaborative approach with the ability to work across multiple teams
* A willingness to work flexible hours including weekends for game day operations
* A commitment to Newcastle and embracing a club-first culture
Essential Requirements:
* Experience in operational management, preferably within a sporting organisation
* Demonstrated ability to develop and implement standardised systems and processes
* Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, SharePoint, and digital collaboration platforms
* Experience managing compliance and reporting requirements
* Current Working with Children Check (WWCC)
* Current Driver's License
* Ability and willingness to travel and attend games on weekends
As part of The Wests Group/ Newcastle Knights recruitment and assessment process, all candidates progressing to the next stage will be required to complete relevant due diligence and probity checks specific to the role. This includes, but is not limited to, a Criminal History Check, reference checks, and right to work verification via our company portal. All associated checks and costs will be facilitated by the Group.
What we Offer
In return the nib Newcastle Knights can offer you a dynamic work environment and excellent terms and conditions of employment.
We value our staff, which is why we recognise and reward your hard work with our AMAZING staff benefits:
* Wellbeing: First Nations Cultural Leave, Annual Flu Vaccinations, Wellbeing Leave, Community Care Leave and Employee Assistance Programs (EAP).
* Career: Professional Development Opportunities.
* Financial: Paid Parental Leave and 17.5% Annual Leave Loading.
* Lifestyle: Discounted Gym Membership for $25/month per month (including your partner), discounted NIB Health Insurance, savings on Reflections Holiday Parks, and discounted accommodation at our three hotels - The Executive, The Gateway, and The Anchorage Hotel & Spa.
We welcome candidates from diverse backgrounds to create a work environment where employee differences such as gender, age, culture, disability, sexual orientation and education are valued to reflect the diversity of the communities in which we operate. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are encouraged to apply.