By Dan Lewis 
Rugby Operations Manager
Salary range – £32,000-£37,500
Commencement date – Pre September 2022
Background
Coventry Rugby is an ambitious, historic, and person-centric organisation who are looking for someone to join our growing rugby department on a full-time basis, in a newly created role of Rugby Operations Manager.
The role presents a fantastic opportunity to join a professional sports organisation that is embarking on an exciting period of growth, with our people and our community at the heart of everything we do.
The successful candidate will have an important role in supporting our CEO and Head Coach in ensuring that the clubs achieve its three key strategic objectives:
- Business: To make the club financially self-sustaining in the next two years
- Community: To use sport as a force in good within the local community through promotion of health and wellbeing and good citizenship
- Rugby: To sustain a league position in the top three of the English Championship
Personal Specification
As the Rugby Operations Manager your objective is to work and support the Head Coach ensuring that all functions across the senior team operations and Academy programme at Coventry Rugby Ltd are focused on achieving our long-term vision, strategy growth and success.
You will work with the Head Coach to inspire existing and new team members, while fostering a high-performance environment that embraces innovation.
You are a top performer in your current role with a proven track record of effectively managing operations that support all lines of business. You understand and have experience associated with the challenges of a business undergoing transition and growth, who thinks in future terms, anticipates, and considers external dynamics, and will be effective in supporting the achievement of an organisation’s strategic, performance and operational objectives.
You possess a unique blend of creativity, diplomacy, superior relationship building skills and a genuine passion for sport, with infections energy and enthusiasm, and a friendly, confident, and approachable manner.
As the Rugby Operations Manager you will function as a member of the rugby leadership team and will share in the responsibility for the overall achievement of the Coventry Rugby Ltd mission, vision, and objectives. You will operate with integrity and in accordance with the strategic plan and policies of Coventry Rugby Ltd.
Person we are looking for should possess the following: Experience, Skills and Qualifications
5 years + experience in elite sport
Must have extensive knowledge of the academy structure and operation in Rugby Union in the UK
Appropriate coaching experience
In depth understanding of the UK education system – Secondary F.E and HE
Excellent organisational, administration and IT skills
Financial Planning
Excellent Communication skills – verbal and written
Proven track record of operational management, including the governance and compliance of policies
Proven track of effective track record in relation to internal and external relationship management (essential) – high levels of EQ “an empathetic and people first approach”
Must demonstrate a “can do” proactive attitude and be able to provide solutions to problems or issues.
Confident presenter
Ability to improve efficiency by introducing new innovate practices and technology
Passionate about creating a growth and performance focussed environment (essential)
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, hard-working environment
Enjoys a flexible working week – the successful candidate will be required to work match days and some evenings
Educated to degree level or equivalent professional/work-based experience
Appropriate coaching qualifications
Valid full UK driving license
Key responsibilities
Academy Pathway coordinator- oversee all Academy operations including and not exhaustive to:
- Talent ID – Coordinate the recruitment process of all academy players, develop, and enhance our scouting network
- Education liaison – partnerships Schools, FE and H.E programmes
- Parent liaison
- Age group coaching – potential coaching and coaching support across the various age group programmes
Monitor and assist the Head Coach with the Rugby operations budget, ensuring the budget is not overspent
Assist in the planning of the annual Rugby operations budget.
Plan, co-ordinate and implement all travel and accommodation requirements for all rugby staff using travel agency partners where required.
Manage all off field player activities including Sponsorship/Commercial appearances as well as the introduction of new players to the squad ensuring they understand the values and ethos of the club.
Liaise with the General Manager, new players and their agents to aid new players in the transition to Coventry Rugby, this includes personal welfare such accommodation, transport, child schooling etc.
Ensure all training plans, as agreed by the Head coach, are effectively communicated to all staff and stakeholders.
Responsible for ensuring the club is fully compliant with all governance, regulations, player registrations, player transfers, player loans, team declarations and anti-doping matters in all matches, competitions, and training.
Support the Head of Rugby and the General Manager in liaising with key partners including, RFU, commercial sponsors, broadcasters, and local community partners.
Provide support to the Head coach and the coaching team with any requests as required.
Assist the Head Coach with all on and off field disciplinary matters as required, liaising with club lawyers, RFU, and players and agents as necessary.
Oversee all match day administration and operation.
Co-ordinate regular meetings to plan all rugby operations.
Management of ticket requests for home and away games, player and staff .
Build strong relationships with all stakeholders through managing community, supporter, and partnership requests to ensure the brand is enhanced but also impact on performance is minimised.
Work with the General Manager and develop the “Coventry Life Hub”.
To work with the General manager and CEO review and maintain that the Club’s required policies are relevant and up to date, including HR, Safeguarding, Equal Opportunities, Employment, Data Protection and Health & Safety – Ensuring that these are effectively communicated and understood by all by all rugby staff, implementing suitable training where required.
Review existing use of technology and software systems and introduce new technology and innovation to achieve cost effective and efficient practices.
To work with the Head coach to develop key KPIs to monitor the development and growth of the rugby department.
Coventry Rugby is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity.
To register your interest in this role please submit a Cover Letter and your CV outlining your suitability for the position to our General Manager, Matt Cannon:
mcannon@coventryrugby.co.uk – by 5pm on 13th July 2022. Interviews will take place in the w/c 20th July 2022.
