Description With the Women's Rugby World Cup taking place here in England this year, it's an incredibly exciting time to join the RFU and working at the RFU means being part of the ‘bigger picture’ at England Rugby: to be rooted in our purpose, which is to enrich lives, introduce more people to rugby union & develop the sport for future generations. If our purpose resonates with you, and you recognise the value that sport can bring to people’s lives, we’d love to work with you. An opportunity has arisen for a National Competitions Manager to join our Player Experience team on a permanent basis. Job Title : National Competitions Manager Department : Player Experience - Rugby Development Reports to : Player Experience Director Direct report(s) : c.5 roles Salary Banding : c.£55-£60,000 per annum Job Level : Translate Location : Home based Travel Requirements : Occasional national travel, including to Allianz Stadium. Company car provided Employment Type : Permanent Working Hours : This is a full-time role, covering 35hrs per week, including weekends and unsociable hours Application Information: Please submit an anonymised CV (i.e. please exclude personal details). The closing date for applications Sunday 27th April at 9pm The RFU reserves the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications. Applications may be considered whilst this vacancy is advertised. The Role: We are looking for a National Competitions Manager to join our Rugby Development team to support our efforts to get more people playing, and specifically in this role, to keep them playing longer. This is a great opportunity for the right person to help shape the Rugby Union playing offer in England for priority national RFU adult and age grade (under 16) competitions for males and females. An important part of the role will be working in collaboration with volunteers and within identified governance structures, driving the highest standards of operations, streamlining regulations, and working effectively and efficiently to manage and deliver competitions or events to grow or sustain match volume or completion. Key in helping keep players playing longer will be a need to contribute to shaping the evolution of existing national RFU competitions with various stakeholders, including RFU Council Members, organising committees, constituent bodies, regions, clubs, coaches and players. It is an exciting time to join the RFU as it sets out on a new chapter, there are opportunities to shape this role and the relationships it has with various stakeholder groups. It would suit someone with the proactivity, agility, flexibility and influence to drive and adapt to change. The Team: The Rugby Development team aims to get more people playing rugby and keep them playing longer, supporting the RFU purpose “to enrich lives, introduce more people to rugby union and develop the sport for future generations”. This role sits within the competitions team currently within Player Experience, with Player Experience responsible for a number of our participation focus areas as one of 4 functions with Rugby Development. Rugby Development has a variety of functions and roles from coaching to facilities, traditional sports development to more project focused roles. We are typically based at home in locations all around the country. Some key responsibilities include: Operation of approved national RFU community rugby competitions, leading, organising and deploying team to meet current and future need. Developing creative solutions to playing opportunities that help reduce the number of cancelled and postponed games and contribute to player experience and club sustainability. Operation of appropriate systems to capture results quickly and accurately, ensuring that these are available to view widely through relevant and accurate information. Building and managing strong relationships with key staff and supporting volunteers across the game, especially within RFU Council, Regions, CBs, committees, leagues etc ensuring best practice and insight are cascaded regionally for maximum impact. Working closely with the legal and governance team to oversee all matters in relation to competition integrity and to develop the necessary regulations for competition. Acting as the focal point within the RFU for any competition related queries; key member of RFU staff on appropriate competitions sub-committees / task groups Influencing structured season, minimum standards and scheduling as well as managing budgets for competition related activity. Actively collaborate with colleagues to contribute to the development and delivery of the current strategic, business and operational plans. Act as an ambassador for, and promote the best interests of the RFU, including the promotion of our culture and core values – This Rose Means Everyone: Put The Team First, Shape The Future, Respect Each Other. Undertake other duties as may be required from time to time as are consistent with the responsibilities of the post and the needs of the organisation. Qualifications, Skills & Experience: The skills and attributes outlined in this description are not exhaustive and we welcome candidates who can bring different relevant experiences to the role. Essential: Experience of working in sports development, and / or competition management or associated development fields (e.g. not for profit, further / higher education, charity, etc.). Good understanding of competition structures in sport, and preferably with good working knowledge of the sporting (and Rugby Union) landscape. Strong experience of being in a leadership role with an ability to articulate an overall function plan / strategy to others and translate into working practices. Strong evidence of being able to influence and build relationships with a diverse and challenging stakeholder group to drive change, including with volunteers. Strong project management skills, with the ability to work on several areas at once, prioritising and communicating priorities. Proactive self-starter with the resilience and ability to manage competing priorities. Committed to embodying the ethos our culture by using our three core values – Put The Team First, Shape The Future, Respect Each Other – to guide your day-to-day decisions, actions and interactions. Committed to actively contributing and building an inclusive culture in your role and day to day behaviours. Ability to deliver administration and coordination, alongside strategic thinking and influence. Desirable: Degree level education or relevant commensurate practical experience. Experience of building, inspiring, leading and managing a team, setting high standards of performance with a focus on developing talent. Any sporting or people management related qualifications e.g. mentoring, coaching, etc. Strong experience of directing, managing and supporting cross function teams/roles. Proficient in working with Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint and proficiency with Smartsheet. An effective team member, with sufficient flexibility and willingness to take on roles outside their normal functional responsibility when required. Additional Information: We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability and potential. If there is anything we could do to support you through your application or to provide the best environment for your interviews, including assistance or adjustment, please reach out to recruitmentrfu.com. During your application, we will ask questions about your identity. This information is considered highly confidential and will not be seen by hiring managers. You can find out more about why we ask these questions here. Please download the job description here for full details of this role. We recommend keeping a copy of the JD to hand as you may wish to revisit the role requirements in the event you are invited to interview.