At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of a high-performance culture in Welsh Rugby for both men’s and women’s teams.
- Company: Welsh Rugby Union, dedicated to excellence and inclusivity in sports.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, pension scheme, hybrid working, and additional perks.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to high performance and personal growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of Welsh Rugby and inspire teams to achieve greatness.
- Qualifications: Degree in relevant field and extensive experience in elite sports development.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Our ambition is to establish Welsh Rugby as a world-leading high performance system across both the men’s and women’s game.
This role is central to creating and embedding a unified Welsh DNA for high performance culture, leadership, team effectiveness and psychological development, ensuring alignment, clarity and competitive advantage across all national teams and pathways.
The role will lead a progressive, system-wide programme of learning, development and support that builds the psycho‑social capability of players, coaches and staff to create and thrive in winning Welsh teams — both on and off the field.
We are utilising the support of Elite Performance Partners to manage this recruitment process. You can find out more about them here: https://eppglobal. com/
The role
To lead the strategic and operational delivery of high performance culture, leadership, team effectiveness and psychological development across the men’s and women’s game.
The role is accountable for defining, creating and embedding a clear Welsh DNA for behavioural performance — establishing the principles, standards, language and practices that underpin world‑class performance environments across all national teams and pathways, ensuring that players, coaches and staff consistently develop and demonstrate the mindset, behaviours and capabilities required to win at the highest level.
Key Responsibilities, Tasks and Activities
- Define, own and embed a clear Welsh DNA for high performance culture, leadership, team effectiveness and psychological development across all teams and pathways
- Lead behavioural performance across WRU, establishing the frameworks, standards, language and practices that underpin consistent winning behaviours
- Lead the development of a world‑class strategy for high performance culture, leadership, team effectiveness and psychological development across both the men’s and women’s game
- Establish system‑wide principles, standards and ways of working aligned to “what it takes to win” in international rugby
- Design and implement an integrated, progressive behavioural performance system that develops players, coaches and staff to consistently perform at the highest level
- Develop and deploy practical toolkits, frameworks and resources for coaches, players and staff to enable consistent application of high performance culture, leadership, team effectiveness and psychological development across all environments
- Lead the operational delivery of behavioural performance and team effectiveness services across all national teams and pathways
- Develop and deliver a comprehensive coach and staff development programme focused on leadership, identity, behaviours, communication, facilitation, environment design and team effectiveness
- Provide direct support to the Men’s senior team and other selected national teams, as required, to optimise performance environments and behaviours
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with professional clubs to ensure alignment of cultural, leadership and behavioural development of Welsh‑qualified players
- Recruit, lead, manage and develop a high‑performing team of practitioners and external consultants
- Drive innovation and applied research in behavioural performance, leadership and team effectiveness to create competitive advantage
- Establish and implement measurement frameworks to assess behavioural, cultural and leadership performance across teams and programmes
- Manage departmental resources and ensure effective deployment of expertise across the system
- Act as a senior leader and role model for high performance culture within WRU
- Provide visible engagement in coaching, selection and development activities across the international pathway to ensure alignment of behaviours and standards
- Provide support to WRU coach development activities on an agreed number of occasions per year
- Maintain excellent levels of personal development to ensure knowledge and practice remains at the highest level
- Act as an outstanding ambassador for the WRU and the game in Wales
- Participation in marketing and sponsorship activities according to the needs of the WRU and partners
- Knowledge, Skills and Experience Essential
- Degree in psychology, behavioural science, social science, sport science or related discipline
- Professional accreditation (e. g. HCPC, BPS or equivalent) as appropriate
- Extensive experience in elite sport or high performance learning and development environments
- Proven track record of leading high performance culture, leadership and team development programmes
- Deep expertise in leadership, culture, psychological performance and team dynamics
- Experience of designing and implementing system‑wide development frameworks or programmes
- Experience of working within multidisciplinary high performance environments
- Strong understanding of performance under pressure and psychological preparation for competition
- Strong leadership, communication and influencing skills
- Exceptional relationship‑building capability across players, coaches and stakeholders
- Outstanding design and delivery capability in individual, group and team environments
- A growth mindset and strong evidence of continued professional development
- A commitment to live in Wales and be fully engaged in the role (Desirable)
- Experience in international sport
- Welsh language capability
- WRU Requirements
The WRU require that individuals are proficient in IT skills, specifically Microsoft packages.
Excellent written and verbal communications are essential, along with the ability to build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
Ability to communicate through the medium of Welsh and a Valid UK Driver's License is desirable.
This role is subject to a basic/enhanced DBS check.
The Perks
As a permanent member of the WRU Group, you will have access to our full range of employee benefits, including:
- Salary Sacrifice Pension (5% employee contribution matched by WRU)
- Life assurance scheme
- WRU Group Ticket Allocation (in line with ticketing policy)
- One additional paid day off (birthday leave)
- Employee assistance programme
- Team Tactics – hybrid working arrangements
- Free stadium parking and gym
- WRU Group store and tour discounts
- WRU Group partnership offers
- Eye Care Voucher Scheme
- Cycle to Work Scheme
Our Values
The WRU Group are committed to developing a culture whereby all employees are equally valued and respected.
Our aims, together with our vision and mission, are underpinned by our core values and beliefs which embrace: Integrity, Excellence, Success, Courage, Family & Humour.
Inclusion At The WRU
The WRU Group are committed to building diverse, high‑performing and engaged teams across Welsh Rugby.
We are ambitious about providing a people‑first culture where everyone can belong, be heard and respected.
We are happy to talk to you about our Crys I Bawb EDI Strategy (2024‑2029) and you can also read more about our commitment in our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy.
Diversity monitoring
We know that we deliver better services when our workforce reflects the full range of backgrounds and experiences in the society we serve.
To continue to do this we need your help in filling out a short monitoring form.
None of the information you provide will be visible as part of your application.
It will only be used anonymously to monitor the inclusivity of our selection processes.
You can select 'prefer not to say' if you would rather not answer any question.
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Head of Behavioural Performance in Cardiff employer: Welsh Rugby Union Group
The Welsh Rugby Union Group (WRU) is an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant and inclusive work culture, dedicated to developing young talent through its Rugby Development Apprenticeship Programme. Located at the iconic Principality Stadium in Cardiff, employees benefit from a range of perks including a salary sacrifice pension scheme, additional paid leave for birthdays, and opportunities for personal growth within a supportive team environment. With a strong commitment to diversity and community engagement, WRU provides a meaningful platform for aspiring individuals to inspire others and make a positive impact in the world of sport.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Behavioural Performance in Cardiff
✨Get Involved in Local Sports Communities
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✨Leverage Internships and Volunteering
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✨Visit Sports Job Fairs
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We think you need these skills to ace Head of Behavioural Performance in Cardiff
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Passion for Sports:In your cover letter, let your enthusiasm for sports and recreation shine through! We want to see your genuine interest in the industry and how it's shaped your career choices. Sharing specific experiences, like managing a team or organising an event, can really make you stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, focus on any relevant internships, volunteer work, or part-time jobs related to sports and recreation management. Make sure to quantify your achievements – did you increase team participation by a certain percentage or successfully lead a project? Numbers speak volumes!
Tailor Your CV for Sports Management:Use a CV format that emphasises your skills in leadership, teamwork, and event coordination. Don’t forget to include specific training or certifications that relate to sports management, as these can set you apart from other applicants. We love seeing candidates with relevant qualifications!
Express Your Long-Term Goals:In your application, we want to see your career aspirations in sports management. Don’t hesitate to include how you envision your future in this industry and how joining Welsh Rugby Union Group aligns with those goals. We’re looking for candidates who are not just a perfect fit for the role but are also excited about growing with us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Welsh Rugby Union Group
✨Highlight Your Passion for Sports
When chatting with Welsh Rugby Union Group, make sure to express your genuine love for sports and recreation. Share experiences that showcase your passion, whether it's managing a local sports team, organising events, or simply being an active participant in various activities. This helps them see you're not just a fit on paper, but also someone who truly cares about the field.
✨Showcase Your Management Skills
This role is all about managing resources and people, so be ready to discuss your leadership and organisational skills. Prepare some examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led a team or managed a project, particularly in a sports or recreation setting. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) technique to make your answers concise and impactful.
✨Be Prepared for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect case studies or scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving and decision-making skills. You might be asked how you would handle a tricky situation, such as resolving a conflict between team members or managing a crisis during a major event. Think through these scenarios and practice how you’d articulate your thought process and solutions.
✨Demonstrate Enthusiasm for Team Collaboration
In the sports and recreation management field, teamwork is essential. During the interview, be prepared to discuss how you work within a team and foster a collaborative environment. Share success stories where teamwork led to a positive outcome, emphasising how you built relationships and encouraged participation among team members to achieve a common goal.
