Strategy Manager, Community Game – RFU
RFU

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) is the national governing body for grassroots and elite rugby in England. Its purpose is to encourage rugby, and its values, to flourish across England. After a period of disruption to the community game due to the COVID-19 Pandemic and shifting trends in team sports, the RFU is embarking on the development of a 10-year strategy for community rugby. 

Through widespread consultation across the game, we are looking to develop a) the future Vision for the sport; b) to define the interventions needed to achieve that Vision and c) to optimise the delivery of those interventions by establishing the optimum model, roles and responsibilities of different stakeholders in the community game. The Strategy and implementation plan will require an accompanying business case that outlines the financial implications for the RFU over the 10-year period. 

While this role will be based in the Strategy team, it will require matrix working across numerous RFU departments with specific accountability into the Senior Leadership Team in the Rugby Development department.

Accountabilities:

The principal accountabilities of the role will be as follows:

· Lead the development of the community game strategy by:

o Managing the development of the strategy as a strategic project through the RFU’s project lifecycle

o Developing and executing a thorough stakeholder engagement process, ensuring cross-game input into the development of the strategy and buy in for the output

o Gathering, understanding, and clearly presenting information on the resources available across the community rugby eco-system

o Developing a delivery model with clear roles and responsibilities across different game stakeholders, through consultation and input from those stakeholders/organisations

o Developing an RFU resourcing plan for the delivery of the RFU’s responsibilities in the strategy

o Working with Finance to develop the accompanying business case that supports the delivery of the Strategy

· Manage the relationship with key RFU governance committees such as the Council, Board and Community Game Board, ensuring the strategy gains buy-in and endorsement

· Support and manage senior stakeholders in order to develop and deliver the project specific and organisational objectives

· Communicate internally with key members of the project team and senior leaders working on the project

· Managing and analysing information, drawing conclusions and presenting it in an easily understood manner

· Problem solving, evaluating and decision-making for ad-hoc project related tasks

Other

· 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 the RFU core values and BACK culture.

· Undertake such 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 

Person Specification

The skills and attributes outlined in this description are not exhaustive and we welcome candidates who can bring different relevant experiences to the role.

Qualifications and Experience:

· Degree level desirable.

· Demonstrable experience in strategy development, preferably within sport

· Strong project planning experience and ability to manage effectively within scope, timelines, budget and quality

· Business case experience desirable but not essential 

· Experience of working collaboratively with senior members of staff

· Advanced Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint and proficiency with Smartsheet

· Rounded business knowledge and a detailed understanding of the RFU is desirable

Skills and Personal Attributes:

· Committed to driving forward inclusion in your role and day-to-day behaviours or Committed to actively contributing and building an inclusive BACK culture in your role and day to day behaviours

· Strong excel and analytical skills

· Strategic thinker who is able to influence and drive change

· Ability to work on several projects at once, prioritise and communicate priorities

· Influencing, consensus building, and sustaining relationships – with the ability to work collaboratively

· Enjoys working to tight deadlines or with short turnaround times

· Ability to inspire confidence and create trust

· Excellent judgment and ability to think creatively to reach desired goals

· Excellent organisational skills, with an emphasis on managing priorities, forward planning and adopting a flexible approach

Additional Information:

· All role holders must maintain an appropriate standard of confidentiality. Any disclosures of confidential information (including personal information kept on computer or other media) made unlawfully outside the proper course of duty will be treated as a serious disciplinary offence

· The role description, person specification, job level and job title may be subject to change at the discretion of the RFU and under business developments. Any changes will be communicated to the role holder as appropriate

· If you are a trans candidate applying for a job that requires a DBS check, please reach out to recruitment@rfu.com or directly to our safeguarding team (safeguarding@rfu.com) to use the confidential sensitive application route. This will provide applicants with the choice not to have any gender or name information disclosed on their DBS certificate.

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