Rugby Engagement & Development Officer in Cardiff

To act as the key point of contact for rugby clubs, hubs and educational settings in a designated geographical area. Developing strong effective relationships with the key stakeholders to ensure the growth in both the girl’s and women’s, boy’s and men’s games in line with the rugby engagement strategy. To ensure coaching and match official courses are organised and delivered to increase the number of qualified coaches and match officials across the community game.

We are recruiting two Rugby Engagement Officers to join our Community team. One post will cover the Swansea West area, with the second covering the Cardiff area. Please specify your preferred location as part of your application.

Closing Date: 4 August 2026

Salary: £30,914 per annum

Location: Hybrid working with an expectation that you will work in an agreed WRU office/location at least three days per week.

Hours of work: 35 hours per week. Due to the nature of the role there will be a requirement to work flexibly including weekends and evenings on a regular basis.

Responsible to: Rugby Engagement Lead Officer

Contractual status: Permanent Subject to 5-month probationary period

Interviews are due to take place on 10 August

The Person

• Planning and Organising
• Experience of working within sport development sector is desirable
• Decision Making
• Professionalism and Integrity
• Self-Awareness
• Relationship Building
• Verified and clear qualification in sport coaching and/or coach education is desirable
• Written and Verbal Communication
• Creativity and Innovation
• Reporting and Analysing Data
• Ability to communicate and work through the medium of Welsh is desirable

The Role

Key Responsibilities, Tasks and Activities:

• Boys & Men – Growth and Retention in 12 to 18 age groups
• Implement the calendar of events to support the growth in participation
• Implement the calendar of events to support retention of players aged 12-18yrs
• Enable and create regular, frequent and meaningful opportunities to participate in rugby
• Work with Club Development colleagues to develop local insight and understanding of clubs and educational settings
• Work with Clubs/Educational settings, and use data to ensure coaching is consistent and of high quality
• Work with Clubs/Educational settings, and use data to ensure match officiating is consistent and of high quality
• Girls & Women – Growth and Retention in 6 to 18 age groups
• Implement the calendar of events to support the growth in participation
• Implement the calendar of events to support retention of players aged 6-18yrs
• Enable and create regular, frequent and meaningful opportunities to participate in rugby
• Work with Club Development colleagues to develop local insight and understanding of clubs and educational settings
• Work with Clubs/Educational settings, and use data to ensure coaching is consistent and of high quality
• Work with Clubs/Educational settings, and use data to ensure match officiating is consistent and of high quality
• Coaching Development
• Work closely with colleagues to provide opportunities for development of qualified, competent, verified coaches up to Level 2
• Facilitate opportunities for the development of rugby support in educational settings
• Match Official Development
• Work closely with Match Official Development Officers to provide opportunities for development of qualified, competent, verified match officials
• Emerging Player Pathways
• Facilitate Boys EPP in area of responsibility in collaboration with the Regional Academy
• Facilitate Girls EPP in area of responsibility in collaboration with the Player Development Centre
• Reporting
• Provide insight reporting, monitoring and evaluating effectiveness in line with KPI’s and reporting requirements
• Stakeholder Management
• Manage key relationships with the clubs, girl’s hubs and educational settings

Key Relationships

• Club secretaries within area
• Clubs mini, junior, youth and hub key people
• Key educational partners and headteachers and Physical Education teachers
• Local Authority contacts
• Sport Wales regional partnership Managers / CEO
• Local elected members of the CGB and Council
• Local District Secretaries
• Local Match Official Societies

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.
• Valid UK driving licence is desirable as a business needs vehicle is provided with this role
• This role is subject to an enhanced DBS disclosure and reviewed regularly in line with policy requirements
• An understanding of individual responsibility in complying with the health and safety policies and arrangements

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
• 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.