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Job Title : Head of Champ Rugby
Department : Champ Rugby
Reports to : Champ Rugby Independent Chair – Solid line
Direct report(s) : Marketing and Communications Manager & Community Engagement Manager
Salary Banding : £80,000 per annum plus performance-related bonus and benefits
Job Level : Translate
Location : Hybrid working, based at the employee’s home and Championship rugby clubs. The employee is required to attend the office (Allianz Stadium) for specific collaboration, training, or meetings as well as events and should make themselves available where required.
Employment Type : Fixed Term Contract to 30 June 2028
Working Hours : This is a full-time role, covering 35hrs per week
Application Information:
* Please submit an anonymised CV and cover letter (i.e. please exclude personal details).
* The closing date for applications is Thursday 5th June at 9pm
* Applications may be considered as they're received.
The Role:
The Head of Champ Rugby is responsible for the overall strategic and commercial leadership of the RFU’s Tier 2 men’s league. This includes driving commercial growth, by implementation and continued development of the Champ Rugby Growth Plan and overseeing a small central team to deliver key outcomes across marketing, community engagement, content league-wide delivery.
This role is responsible for the operational execution of the league’s day-to-day activities, ensuring alignment with the Growth Plan and the delivery of agreed performance outcomes. While the Independent Chair acts as the figurehead and primary spokesperson for the league, the Head of Champ Rugby leads the delivery of the plan—ensuring coordination between RFU departments, clubs, and the central team.
The role includes accountability for facilitating effective governance across the league. This includes supporting transparent reporting, enabling compliance with the league policies and processes, and ensuring clear implementation of decisions made by the Champ Rugby Board. The Head of Champ Rugby will also support RFU Rugby Operations & Competition team in the consistent implementation of the league’s Minimum Operating Standards across clubs, while recognising that responsibility for technical rugby matters, regulations, and disciplinary processes remains with the RFU.
The role is expected to demonstrate clear delivery against agreed league priorities, with a strong focus on commercial growth, stakeholder alignment, and long-term sustainability. The League Director will be accountable for ensuring the league delivers measurable value—both in terms of audience engagement and return on investment.
You can find out more about the league here and here.
About Champ Rugby:
The role holder will be joining a newly formed group of passionate individuals who want to play an instrumental role in the growth of English rugby’s second tier, and to see the league and its clubs thrive in the years ahead. The Champ Rugby team will be led by the Head of Champ Rugby, who reports directly into Tier 2’s Board Chair, and the team will also include a Marketing & Communications Manager, a Community Engagement Manager, and a Content Editor. The roles will also be supported by the RFU’s marketing, communications, events and competitions teams, and others, particularly as this new team establishes itself. The Champ Rugby team will be working in a hybrid setting, based at their homes and Championship rugby clubs with travel required for meetings/training as needed. The team also has access to office space at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, as an option for those who prefer more regular office-based work.
Some key responsibilities include:
* Provide overall leadership for the delivery of the Champ Rugby Growth Plan, with a focus on marketing, commercial value, and long-term sustainability.
* Lead and manage the Champ Rugby central team (Marketing, Community, Content roles).
* Maintain strong relationships with all Champ Rugby clubs, supporting their alignment to standards and their ability to grow commercial and community impact.
* Oversee all day-to-day operations of the league, ensuring consistency, compliance, and alignment with RFU systems.
* Report regularly to the Champ Rugby Board on league performance, risk management, and strategic delivery.
* Lead league-wide commercial relationships in coordination with the RFU commercial teams.
* Represent the league operationally to RFU departments, clubs, and key delivery partners.
* Ensure close working alignment with RFU departments (e.g. Marketing, Development, Finance, Legal, Rugby Development).
* Lead annual business planning and budgeting processes for Champ Rugby, ensuring ROI on investment from the RFU commercial growth budget.
* 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.
* Proven experience in a senior leadership role within sport, commercial strategy, league operations, or major event delivery.
* Strong commercial acumen and demonstrable track record of driving revenue growth and strategic partnerships.
* Deep understanding of sports marketing, league governance, and stakeholder engagement.
* Experience managing small, agile teams in high-profile or rapidly evolving environments.
* Confident communicator with experience influencing senior stakeholders and presenting strategic plans.
* Ability to navigate complex governance environments and balance stakeholder interests.
* Highly strategic thinker with the ability to convert vision into operational delivery.
* 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.
* Experience working with or within a National Governing Body or sports league.
* Understanding of rugby’s participation pathways, community engagement, and competition structures.
* Familiarity with CRM systems, commercial rights management, and digital transformation in sport.
* Relevant qualification in sport management, business leadership, or commercial development.
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 recruitment@rfu.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.
Seniority level
* Seniority level
Director
Employment type
* Employment type
Contract
Job function
* Industries
Spectator Sports and Sports Teams and Clubs
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