ESSA Careers and Opportunities

Exercise & Sports Science Australia values diversity, inclusion and flexibility, and we encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, and people of all backgrounds to apply for available roles.

Why work for ESSA?

Be part of a community that is committed to ESSA’s values of Quality, Responsibility, Leadership, Passion, and Customer Service.
We are committed to creating a diverse workforce representative of the community we serve. We seek to attract and retain high-quality staff from a range of backgrounds and provide a workplace where people are respected for who they are and can be themselves.
Be involved in inspiring work; we work on national campaigns, deliver targeted advocacy, tackle behaviour change, educate and lead, all while promoting the incredible work our members do every day for millions of Australians.
We are flexible and family-friendly and genuinely understand the value of connected and contented people.

What benefits do we offer?

ESSA has a range of initiatives to help make work more enjoyable and rewarding. Here are some of our favourite perks:

Day off for your birthday, how good is that!
Annual allowance to spend on your own health/well-being; gym membership, yoga or Pilates, remedial massage, physio, just to name a few!
Free leave between Christmas and New Years – yes you heard it right, you get time off between this period that doesn’t come from your annual leave balance.
Bring your pet to work!
Flexible and hybrid work options = greater flexibility to balance your personal and professional lives.
Free coffee and weekly fruit delivery.
A range of salary packaging options.

Current opportunities

Chief Executive Officer

Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA) is the peak professional organisation for exercise and sports science practitioners, representing 11,000+ members nationwide.

ESSA are committed to supporting members in their mission to improve the health and performance of Australians through exercise and sports science. They provide industry leadership through advocacy, research, education and regulation, actively promoting the work of the members they serve.

At the heart of their success lies a strong set of values and a vibrant culture that empowers their team to innovate, collaborate, and lead with purpose. This is an opportunity for the right person to build on the strong foundation of the previous CEO, so ESSA can continue to thrive into the future.

ESSA is searching for a dynamic and experienced leader to steer the organisation in this exciting period and deliver on its newly developed 10-year vision and strategy.

Critically, ESSA is looking for a leader with demonstrated success in:

Juggling the requirements of thinking and working strategically whilst ensuring key strategies and plans are successfully executed;
Building deep and productive relationships, and most importantly leading and developing a diverse and high performing team; and
Driving innovation and championing change.

About the role

The CEO is responsible for providing strategic and operational leadership for ESSA, ensuring the organisation's growth, industry leadership, and delivery of member services. The CEO reports to the Board of Directors through the President.

The role – key deliverables:

Membership - Lead strategies for delivering and enhancing member service, engagement, retention, and recruitment.
Industry leadership - Drive industry leadership through collaboration with key stakeholders and enhance ESSA's reputation and influence.
Advocacy & promotion - Promote the profession and advocate for improved access to services.
Technology & innovation - Leverage technology and innovation for transformation including improving digital platforms.
Regulation - Safeguard professional regulation and member's clients.
Corporate governance - Ensure legal compliance and effective Board relations and provide high-level governance support.
Operational management - Assume overall responsibility for business and financial management.
High-performing team - Lead, build, and empower a high-performing team.
The person – experience and qualifications
Proven track record of successful executive leadership, ideally as a CEO or in a similar senior management role.
Demonstrated success in operating in a complex stakeholder environment.
Managing issues key to professional associations including: building and delivering member value; policy and development; standards; accreditation; and education.
Strong financial acumen and the ability to manage large budgets and drive profitability.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to inspire and lead a diverse team.
Demonstrated strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities.
Strong decision-making skills and the capacity to handle high-pressure situations.
A commitment to ethical business practices and corporate social responsibility.
Thorough knowledge of corporate governance and experience in working with a Board of Directors.
An interest in the health and allied health and sporting sector.
A bachelor's degree in a relevant field is required; an MBA or other advanced degree is highly desirable.

How to apply

For a confidential discussion and/or more information contact Noel Rowland at Brown & Chase on 0414 278 279.

Project Officer

ESSA is looking for a Project Officer to provide secretariat services to the National Alliance of Self Regulating Health Professions (NASRHP) on a fixed term 12 month contract, 7 hours per week. Flexible or remote working arrangements available.

Responsibilities include:

Administration of Board meeting – setting up of SharePoint for Board, Agenda and Minutes
Delivery, in collaboration with the assigned board member, to deliver on actions from Board meeting
High level project administration
Coordination of Member Organisation communication
Coordination of applications for Membership, including communication and coordination of Assessors
Management of incoming communication from internal and external sources
Maintenance of NASRHP website

Start date is flexible.

To apply or to find out more about the role, please contact ESSA's HR Team.

Research Committee EOI

ESSA is now seeking expressions of interest for one (1) ESSA Research Committee member for up to a three-year term beginning March 2024.

Expression of Interest
Committee Terms of Reference

Applicants who would like to be considered for the position are invited to apply by Friday 16 February 2024.

Please direct enquiries to: [email protected]

Publications Committee EOI

ESSA is now seeking expressions of interests for one (1) ESSA Publications Committee member for up to a three-year term commencing in March 2024.