At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the RYA's mission to double active participation in sailing and boating.
- Company: Join the Royal Yachting Association, the UK's governing body for recreational boating.
- Benefits: Enjoy 36 days holiday, pension contributions, and discounts on various services.
- Other info: Flexible working options and opportunities for national travel.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in promoting sailing and boating across the nation.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership experience in sports or growth-focused environments required.
The Royal Yachting Association, based in Hamble, near Southampton, is the National Governing Body for all forms of recreational, competitive and professional boating. It represents dinghy and yacht racing, motor and sail cruising, RIBs and sportsboats, windsurfing, inland cruising and personal watercraft.
Salary: £57,000-65,000 per annum, depending on experience
Full Time: 35 hours per week, Monday to Friday
Location: Hamble, Southampton (hybrid working) with national travel; flexible/field-based working as required
The Mission: Double Active Participation
We are on a mission: to double active participation in sailing and boating in 10 years. As part of the RYA’s strategy to aggressively increase participation in sailing and boating, we are seeking a dynamic and visionary Head of Growth to lead our national agenda. You will be the driving force behind the RYA’s public-facing “More People, More Often” strategic plan. This role is about ensuring that the RYA’s support and delivery are crystal clear, prioritising and delivering measurable impact. We need a leader who can support our network to grow participant numbers, create active, lifelong habits on the water, and enable seamless progression into sustained participation and pathways.
What You Will Do
- Support Growth: Lead the RYA’s strategic approach to participation growth across three core pillars: Active Habits, Next Generation, and the Future Ready Network.
- Galvanise the Network: Operate dynamically across our national delivery network of clubs, training centres, affiliates, regions, and partners to scale participation.
- Inspire Your Team: Be a dynamic, forward-thinking people leader with 3 direct reports, leading national growth delivery through both programme and regional structures.
- Direct Investment: Take oversight and responsibility for the strategic deployment of budgets across national programmes, regions, and Sailability.
- Collaborate and Influence: Engage powerfully with internal and external stakeholders—including affiliates, funders, RYA departments, and committees to align resources and champion our growth agenda.
Who You Are (Essential Qualifications & Experience)
- A Proven Leader: You bring significant senior leadership experience in sport, physical activity, membership, network development, or a comparable growth-focused environment.
- A Strategic Executor: You have a track record of owning and delivering strategic plans with measurable targets, outcomes, and robust performance frameworks.
- A Matrix Manager: You are experienced in leading through multi-layered team structures, including senior managers, regional delivery teams, and specialists.
- A Portfolio Master: You have successfully overseen a broad portfolio of programmes, services, or interventions, expertly aligning resources to key priorities.
- A Network Builder: You excel at working across partners, volunteers, regions, or networked delivery systems to achieve shared, high-impact outcomes.
- Data-Driven: You know how to use insight, data, and evaluation to shape strategy, improve delivery, and tangibly demonstrate impact.
- An Inclusion Champion: You have a strong track record of delivering inclusive growth, widening participation, or drastically improving retention within a relevant context.
- Qualified & Ready: You hold a relevant degree or professional qualification (or equivalent senior leadership experience), possess a valid driving licence, and are willing to travel nationally to champion our mission.
Benefits
- 36 days holiday including public holidays
- Birthday day off
- 10% RYA contribution to a personal pension scheme
- Free life insurance
- Discounts platform for retail, entertainment, holidays & gym membership
- Free charging point for electric vehicles whilst on your working days at the office
Head of Growth employer: Royal Yachting Association (RYA)
The Royal Yachting Association is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that champions active participation in boating and sailing. With a commitment to employee growth, the RYA provides generous benefits including 36 days of holiday, a strong pension contribution, and opportunities for flexible working arrangements. Located in the picturesque Hamble near Southampton, employees enjoy a supportive environment that fosters collaboration and innovation, making it an ideal place for those passionate about promoting recreational activities on the water.
Contact Details:
Royal Yachting Association (RYA) Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Growth
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by Royal Yachting Association (RYA).
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Royal Yachting Association (RYA).
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Royal Yachting Association (RYA).
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at Royal Yachting Association (RYA). Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Growth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Royal Yachting Association (RYA). Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Head of Growth, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Royal Yachting Association (RYA)
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Royal Yachting Association (RYA). Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
