Club Developer

Working at the RFU means being part of the ‘bigger picture’ at England Rugby: to be rooted in our purpose, which is to enrich lives, introduce more people to rugby union & develop the sport for future generations. If our purpose resonates with you, and you recognise the value that sport can bring to people’s lives, we’d love to work with you. An opportunity has arisen for a Club Developer to join our Rugby Development department on a permanent basis.

Job Title : Club Developer

Department : Rugby Development

Reports to : Club & Volunteer Support Manager

Direct report(s) : N/A

Salary Banding: c. £35,000 per annum

Job Level : Implement

Location : Homebased – Lancashire

Travel Requirements : Extensive travel to fulfil role needs

Employment Type : Permanent

Working Hours : This is a full-time role, covering 35hrs per week on any five out of the seven days of the week (from Monday to Sunday inclusive)

Application Information

• Please submit an anonymised CV (i.e. remove personal details). You do not need to submit a cover letter.
• Vacancy closing date: Thursday 25th June at 12:00pm

The RFU has recently launched Plan 2030: ‘More Than A Game’, which is our strategy to grow rugby across England for the next five years. Our strategy contains four big goals that support and connect to one another - Play, Perform, Follow and Fund. In ‘Play’ we’re aiming to have an additional 50,000 registered players and have more people playing rugby for longer. One of the ways we are planning to unlock this growth is through a transformation in how the RFU delivers community rugby by creating seven Regional Growth Partnership Boards tasked with driving participation, building partnerships, and unlocking funding opportunities within their region.

We are looking for a Club Developer to support rugby clubs to operate sustainably and to be fit for the future. Through the provision of high quality personal, group and virtual support you will build strong relationships with a network of clubs and facilitate opportunities for those clubs to create effective club management structures, diversify and grow revenues, grow and develop the volunteer base and enhance their facilities.

Drawing on expert advice from across the game (including other clubs) and from specialist teams within the RFU and external organisations they will facilitate access to support for clubs and volunteers.

The individual will have a strong focus on diversity and inclusion, championing the RFU commitment to increasing participation in all aspects of our sport and bringing more diversity to rugby union.

This role is likely to evolve as the community game investment and prioritisation plan is implemented and the RFU starts delivering against the strategic objectives within the plan.

Some key responsibilities include

• Connect clubs seeking to develop and/or those experiencing specific challenge with other clubs who have strengths/experiences in those areas and support these partnerships to cement and operate.
• Utilise the specialist support available across the RFU to support clubs using technology and virtual connectivity.
• Support clubs in improving management and volunteer structures with a particular focus on improving diversity among club leaders and managers.
• Assist clubs in considering revenue diversification and facility improvement opportunities, signposting and connecting them with relevant experience and expertise.
• Support clubs in developing creative solutions to increase and diversify their playing membership, particularly amongst 14–18-year-olds (male and female).
• Coordination and delivery of core projects to engage with new audiences, with a focus on the recruitment of women and girls into rugby clubs.
• Develop local clusters, bringing groups of clubs together to share knowledge and facilitate the development of creative solutions to common challenges or potential opportunities.
• Facilitate opportunities for clubs to build relationships with educational establishments, community organisations, local authorities and Active Partnerships to build membership and diversify revenue.
• Promote RFU assets, particularly AGPs and promote usage with other sports and community organisations.
• Stay up to date with current thinking and best practice, proposing recommendations on improvements we can make.
• Actively collaborate with colleagues to contribute to the development and delivery of the current strategic, business and operational plans.
• Act as an ambassador for, and promote the best interests of the RFU, including the promotion of our culture and core values – This Rose Means Everyone: Put The Team First, Shape The Future, Respect Each Other.
• Undertake other duties as may be required from time to time as are consistent with the responsibilities of the post and the needs of the organisation.

Qualifications, Skills & Experience

The skills and attributes outlined in this description are not exhaustive and we welcome candidates who can bring different relevant experiences to the role.

• Strong project management skills, with the ability to work on several projects at once, prioritising and communicating priorities.
• Comprehensive understanding of best practice and trends in sports development
• Proactive self-starter with the perseverance and ability to manage competing priorities.
• Ability to work independently and with high levels of autonomy.
• Proven time management and prioritisation skills.
• Effective interpersonal, and relationship management skills.
• Effective communicator able to confidently deliver clear written and verbal messages.
• Strong collaboration, influencing and partner management skills with the ability to challenge constructively.
• Strong facilitation skills and able to adapt communication style to suit different audiences.
• Significant experience of operational delivery.
• Proven stakeholder management skills with an ability to influence at all levels.
• Excellent judgement, a can‑do, problem‑solving attitude and ability to think creatively to reach desired goals.
• Self‑aware; committed to continuous professional and personal development.
• Proficient in working with Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint and proficiency with Smartsheet.
• Committed to embodying the ethos our culture by using our three core values – Put The Team First, Shape The Future, Respect Each Other – to guide your day‑to‑day decisions, actions and interactions.
• Committed to actively contributing and building an inclusive culture in your role and day to day behaviours.
• Ability to deliver administration and coordination, alongside strategic thinking and influence.
• An effective team member, with sufficient flexibility and willingness to take on roles outside their normal functional responsibility when required.
• An interest in sport is desirable but not essential.
• Recent / relevant experience of the sporting environment / strong practical understanding of sporting landscape in England, with knowledge of funding and revenue generation opportunities for community organisations.

Additional Information

• Please note, the role involves regular evening & weekend working.
• We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability and potential. If there is anything we could do to support you through your application or to provide the best environment for your interviews, including assistance or adjustment, please reach out to recruitment.
• During your application, we will ask questions about your identity. This information is considered highly confidential and will not be seen by hiring managers. You can find out more about why we ask these questions here.