Senior Designer

World Rugby is the world governing and law-making body for the sport of Rugby Union. In addition to its governance functions, World Rugby organises a number of major international tournaments and events, such as the Rugby World Cups (women's and men's), the annual Rugby Sevens Series and the developmental Women's WV international tournament. World Rugby is now on a mission to innovate to excite, inspire and engage new audiences in existing and new rugby markets, to grow the sport for all.

Through World Rugby Events & Media (WREM), the delivery of major tournaments under a new model will be key to the success of a ten year strategic plan which will see Rugby World Cups in England in 2025, Australia in 2027 & 2029, and culminating in ground breaking tournaments in the USA in 2031 and 2033. Under the new model, World Rugby will have a more direct role in the setting up, running and delivery of the Rugby World Cups and aims to be the leader in the delivery of major international events.

World Rugby is seeking an internal Senior Graphic Designer with a passion for delivering world-class creative experiences to join us in shaping the future of rugby’s global brands. This role is part of World Rugby Events and Media Revenue division, reporting to the Director of Brand Operations and is central to shaping the visual identity and core brand assets of World Rugby’s global properties. The Senior Graphic Designer will lead the ideation and creation of brand assets and supporting brand guidelines, for our commercial and non-commercial stakeholders, and provide creative solutions across multiple platforms and experiences. This position plays a critical role in ensuring a seamless and engaging brand journey across all touchpoints—from broadcast, licensing, and commercial products to cities, teams and onto the pitch. The Senior Graphic Designer will work closely with the multiple internal World Rugby divisions to uphold and enhance World Rugby‘s brands on a global scale.

PRINCIPLE ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Brand Asset Creation & Management: Develop and deliver core brand assets and Intellectual Property that reflect World Rugby’s identity and vision. Ensure all assets are aligned with overarching brand guidelines and adaptable for various uses by internal and external stakeholders. Work in tandem with the brand approvals team on the rollout and management of all brand assets. Refresh and evolve brand materials in response to strategic needs and industry trends.
• Brand Guidelines & Stakeholder Support: Create, maintain, and update comprehensive brand guidelines, in print and online, to ensure consistency across commercial and non-commercial applications. Support stakeholders (partners, sponsors, broadcasters, cities) with tailored creative solutions and clear brand guidelines.
• Tournament Design & Delivery: Conceptualise and deliver creative artwork for major tournaments, including men’s and women’s Rugby World Cups and other flagship events. Develop design concepts for tournament roll-out, encompassing stadia branding, city activations, fan zones, and on-pitch elements.
• Holistic Consumer Journey: Oversee design principles for the complete consumer journey—from digital interactions and merchandise to in-stadium experiences and team branding. Ensure a cohesive and engaging brand presence across all fan touchpoints.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with the Commercial Operations and Revenue teams to ideate and execute brand-enhancing projects. Collaborate with other internal divisions to support documentation, creative artwork, and internal communications needs. Bring fresh and innovative ideas to brand design and execution. Stay ahead of design trends in sports and entertainment to maintain World Rugby’s position as a global leader.

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Visual Arts, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5-8 years in graphic design, ideally within sports, entertainment, or a global brand environment.
• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop).
• Experience with motion graphics (After Effects) is a plus.
• Basic understanding of digital design tools (Figma, Sketch) and HTML/CMS platforms is advantageous.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: World Rugby is committed to building a diverse workforce and therefore strongly encourages applications from underrepresented groups. We are committed to equality and inclusion and welcome applications from all individuals, regardless of their background. We strive to be a diverse and inclusive workplace, which reflects the global sport we want to be and where everyone can be themselves and feel they belong.

Important information: Please note that the recruitment process for this position is being managed by JLB Search, led by Georgie Saunders. By applying, you consent to sharing your information with JLB. Due to the volume of applications, we will only be able to respond to people with the relevant skill sets.