Chief Growth Officer

The Role

A crucial member of the WRU executive team, the Chief Growth Officer is a newly-created post, responsible for driving the future commercial direction of Welsh rugby.
Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, Abi Tierney, you will be responsible for spearheading the development and implementation of growth strategies to enhance revenue streams, expand market share and elevate the brand presence of the WRU and the Welsh regional clubs both domestically and internationally.

This position encompasses a broad range of responsibilities including:

1. Revenue enhancing commercial strategies (including oversight of Principality Stadium Experience Ltd.)
2. Fan engagement and digital strategy
3. Brand, marketing and communications
4. Partner account management

Closing Date: Friday 14th February 2025

Salary: Competitive

The Person

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

1. Experience in senior management roles with a focus on growth, marketing, communications and commercial development with substantial P&L responsibility;
2. A proven track record of developing and executing growth strategies that have significantly increased revenue and market share;
3. The ability to source, negotiate, and deliver large commercial deals (prior experience in structuring rights packages and commercial programmes within sports would be advantageous);
4. Experienced in effective negotiation with sponsors, broadcasters and other commercial entities, and in developing and maintaining strong relationships with strategic business partners and key stakeholders across Welsh rugby and further afield;
5. Experience developing commercial database strategies and driving engagement, adoption, and monetisation, especially across digital, data and content in the sports and media industries or comparable consumer-focused organisations;
6. Deep understanding of digital marketing strategies, data analytics and technology trends. Ability to create a global customer digital strategy and influence others to assist in its implementation;
7. An understanding of digital rights and how digital channels can be used to leverage commercial objectives;
8. Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire and motivate a diverse team towards achieving ambitious growth targets;
9. Excellent IT skills, specifically Microsoft packages;
10. Excellent knowledge and understanding of regulatory compliance;
11. The ability to communicate and work through the medium of Welsh is desirable.

Personal Characteristics

1. Able to understand and engage with a diverse range of audiences through a variety of channels;
2. A proactive, open-minded approach to collaborate and build strong relationships with people across all areas of the WRU and the Welsh rugby ecosystem;
3. Excellent written and verbal communication skills with a strong eye for detail;
4. High levels of emotional intelligence, able to engage and influence appropriately;
5. Strong ability to be agile in an ever-changing environment; adaptable to change;
6. Commitment to actively contributing to, and driving, an inclusive culture in your role and day-to-day behaviours.

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
• 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 providing a Jersey for All. This includes the people who work for and with us. 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 Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Plan (2023-2028) 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.

Search Process:

Approach candidates
We will have an initial discussion with you over the phone to determine your interest and suitability for this role against the job specification and discuss your background, aspirations and affinity with Welsh rugby, coupled with your experience with membership organisations.

Interview candidates
Once your interest and suitability has been determined we will discuss your candidacy at the longlist meeting with the selection panel. Should you progress through this selection meeting, we will arrange for you to meet with the Partner leading this search. This will consist of a competency-based interview against the agreed criteria.

Short listing
Having met with candidates who will differ on experience, ambition and background, we will discuss everyone with the selection panel and put forward a number of candidates whom we feel most meet the criteria. Psychometric assessment profiling will be included for the shortlisted candidates.

Meeting our clients
The WRU will meet the candidates on the shortlist. This will give you the opportunity to further understand the role, the culture and their expectations of you.

To apply: please visit

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