Rugby Development Officer in Manchester

Sale Sharks Foundation is seeking a motivated and enthusiastic Rugby Development Officer to play a key role in delivering inclusive programmes across our Rugby Development work. This is a hands‑on role focused on delivering engaging, high‑quality sessions for people across multiple different schools, community settings, and targeted programmes. You will take ownership of programmes allocated to you, such as Project Rugby, Girls Tackle Rugby, Player Pathways, Match Days, Rugby Development Camps and Residential Camps. Alongside delivery, you will play an active role in building and maintaining relationships with schools, partners, Sale Sharks, England Rugby and community organisations – coordinating sessions, supporting engagement, and helping to grow participation across our programmes. This is a varied role that blends delivery, organisation, and relationship‑building, making it ideal for someone passionate about sport, physical activity and making a difference in the community.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Design and deliver high quality rugby sessions across all forms of the sport and to all experience levels.
• Support delivery for a range of groups, from complete novice players to aspirational and experienced young people.
• Assist with the delivery of wider Foundation programmes, including community inclusion programmes where required.
• Work with the Rugby Development Manager to deliver a structured termly programme across programmes.
• Ensure sessions are safe, engaging, and adapted to meet the needs of participants.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with schools, colleges, Sale Sharks, England Rugby and community partners to support programme delivery.
• Take ownership of liaising with school and key stakeholders, proactively organising, scheduling and confirming delivery to ensure programmes run smoothly and consistently.
• Support the development of new partnerships by reaching out to schools and organisations to introduce and promote Foundation programmes.
• Act as a key day‑to‑day contact for partner schools and key stakeholders, ensuring good communication and a high‑quality experience.
• Identify opportunities to engage new participants and expand programme reach.
• Represent the Foundation professionally in all community and partner settings.
• Maintain accurate registers and session data, ensuring timely input into our digital monitoring platform Upshot and internal systems.
• Support the collection of participant feedback, case studies, and impact data, including working with the Communications Manager to capture photos and video content that showcase programme delivery.
• Contribute to reporting requirements where required.
• Work towards agreed targets and programme outcomes.
• Contribute and implement ideas to improve and develop Rugby Development programmes.
• Deliver awareness events and community engagement opportunities, including matchdays.
• Lead the planning and organisation of key events and festivals related to your delivery, such as Project Rugby festivals.
• Work with the Marketing & Communications Manager to support the creation and distribution of marketing materials, including flyers, posters, and social media content to promote programmes and events.
• Take a proactive approach to learning and development within the role.
• Ensure all non‑delivery tasks are completed thoroughly, accurately and within deadlines.
• Support the wider team as needed across Foundation programmes.
• Uphold safeguarding, health & safety, and all Foundation policies at all times.

Candidate Profile

• Promote the Sale Sharks Foundation and Sale Sharks brand and values in a professional, strong, and positive manner.
• Be able to work flexible and unsociable hours where the role of the job requires.
• Be committed to applying and promoting equality, diversity and inclusion as Sale Sharks Foundation and comply with all Charity policies and procedures.
• Act in line with the Foundations code of conduct always showing professionalism in all environments we work across, acting as role models for our community.
• Continuously evaluate the success and standards of their work and that of others, through rigorous self and departmental reflection and analysis. This includes creating a CPD plan and working towards agreed PDR objectives.

Benefits

• 25 days annual leave pro‑rata (3 to be taken between Christmas and New Year). Additional leave after 3 and 5 years of service.
• £240 per year (Pro‑rata, claimed monthly) wellbeing benefit.
• 3% Pension contribution.
• 2 free tickets per game (Men’s & Women’s).
• Kit provided; 20% discount on the staff shop.
• Access to Sale Sharks High Performance Gym after 4pm.
• Opportunity to buy into Sale Shark performance meal prep on site.
• Flexible working (where possible around delivery needs).
• Dogs allowed in the office/outdoor kennels (behaviour permitting).
• Free tea & coffee in the office.
• Free onsite parking.
• Health insurance through Vitality, including access to the Headspace app, discounted gym memberships, free weekly coffee and film rental, health checks, employee assistance, and discounts on health and wellbeing products (upon successful completion of probation period).
• Annual reward and recognition awards.
• Access to e‑learning platform.
• Bi‑annual all staff training days & Foundation socials.
• Other CPD opportunities throughout the year.