GM Community Rugby Participation and Development

New Zealand Rugby is seeking an experienced leader to guide our national approach to growing community rugby participation across Aotearoa, in partnership with our Provincial Unions and clubs.

Key to success of this role will your ability to ensure the frameworks, systems and supports are in place to grow and develop and grow junior participation, develop leading coaching and referee offerings, and ensure player safety and welfare are well integrated through injury prevention programmes across the game.   

About the role

This is a senior leadership role with wide-reaching impact across the game. You will provide national leadership, strategic direction, systems thinking, and operational management to deliver key priorities within NZR's Strategy and help shape a thriving, safe, and sustainable community game.

You will be responsible for driving a connected national approach to community rugby growth and development through:

• Leading NZR's approach to growing community rugby participation and supporting the design and delivery of national participation plans and programmes.
• Leading national strategies to attract, develop and retain coaches and referees across the community game, while aligning with relevant international and national best practice frameworks.
• Overseeing the development and delivery of effective training and education for players, coaches, referees, and key volunteer groups, supported by modern learning systems and tools.
• Overseeing regulatory development, membership and competition systems, safeguarding support, event sanctioning, competition management support, and the delivery of participation insights.
• Leading NZR’s strategic approach to injury prevention and wellbeing across community rugby to support player welfare, safe environments and sustainable participation outcomes. 

About you

You are a a systems leader with strong strategic and programme / project oversight experience, who can lead specialist teams without needing to be the technical expert in each area. 

To be successful in this role, you will bring:

• Outstanding relationship management and influencing skills with the ability to work across a broad stakeholder group.
• Proven system leadership in community sport at a national or regional level.
• Strong strategic planning, programme management, and project delivery capability.
• Experience leading multi-stakeholder partnerships and governance-based programme delivery.
• Demonstrated ability to oversee investment, manage competing priorities and deliver outcomes through others.
• A solid technical and tactical understanding of rugby.
• Understanding of modern coaching and educational pedagogy, particularly in coach or referee development.
• Excellent presentation and facilitation skills.
• Demonstrated success in leading people, giving effective feedback, and lifting performance.
• A tertiary qualification in management, sport, or a related discipline.

About Us 

At NZR we love what we do, we work hard and have fun! You’ll be joining a team of awesome people who are passionate about the game and each other, and you’ll be backed with support to thrive in your role. We know that life isn’t all about work, so we are open to flexible working options.

 
We value diversity and inclusion and are committed to improving our cultural responsiveness. We embrace and respect each other’s values and we are so proud to be Rainbow Tick certified. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and walks of life. 

What We Offer (benefits)

•    Learn & Grow Your Career | Flexible Work Environment 
•    Receive Rugby Tickets | Sports Apparel | Discounts
•    Wellbeing | 5 weeks Annual Leave | Social Club

Apply Now 

If you are looking to join a fantastic group of people and think you have what it takes, then don’t delay, submit your CV and cover letter now! Don’t wait until the closing date to apply as we will be reviewing applications as we go.

>> Applications close at 5:00pm, Tuesday 7 July

>> For a copy of the position description, click here

>> We welcome applications from Wellington or Auckland

To be considered for this position you must be legally entitled to work in Aotearoa New Zealand and obtain a clear MOJ check. 

Studies have shown that people from under-represented backgrounds, including women, are less likely to apply for roles where they don't match the job description criteria exactly. If you're excited about this role and think you have what it takes, but your experience doesn't align 100%, we still want to hear from you and would encourage you to apply.

Our recruitment process is fair and inclusive and we encourage our applicants to let us know if we can make it more user-friendly for them.  We value diverse perspectives and the contribution every one of our people makes to our culture.  Put simply - you can be yourself here.