GM Professional Rugby Relationships

We're looking for an experienced leader to head our Professional Rugby Relationships team and lead player and management contracting.

About the role 

New Zealand Rugby has an exciting opportunity available. We’re looking for a General Manager, Professional Rugby Relationships to lead our Contracting & Relationships team.

Reporting to the Chief Rugby Officer, you’ll be responsible for the employment relationships with individual professional and emerging professional rugby players in New Zealand. You’ll take a lead role in contract negotiations for individual players, including the All Blacks, and provide strategic contracting advice and support to professional and emerging professional rugby programmes.

You’ll manage the day-to-day relationship with the New Zealand Rugby Players’ Association (NZRPA), act as a lead advocate in collective bargaining.

Leading a team of three direct reports, you’ll also provide strategic leadership of NZR’s Integrity programme, oversee player eligibility and overseas-based player relationships, lead the NZR Talent Retention plan, and manage key budgets.

To be successful in this role, you’ll bring significant experience in a professional sports environment and a strong track record of leading negotiations and drafting employment contracts and other legal agreements. You’ll have experience working in a collective employment environment, including bargaining with unions, along with extensive relationship management and people leadership experience. A relevant tertiary qualification in Law (ideally with a focus on contract and/or employment law) or Human Resources will be well regarded.

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 24 November 2026

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

>> We welcome candidates from both Wellington and 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.