Job Description
This is an exciting opportunity within Northumbria University Sport as we look for our next Head of Rugby Union to drive our programme forward. The role holder will report directly to the Performance Sport Manager and will take overall responsibility for shaping, growing and elevating the Rugby Union programme across the university, for both men's and women's teams.
The core mission of the role is to ensure that every student, regardless of ability, has a meaningful pathway into Rugby Union during their time at Northumbria. Whether that's a first‑year student picking up a rugby ball for the first time or an elite athlete competing at the highest level of university sport, the post‑holder will be expected to create and sustain an environment where all players can thrive.
The Head of Rugby Union will be expected to develop both long‑term strategic plans and shorter annual plans that drive growth and development across all levels of the programme. This means thinking beyond the training pitch – identifying opportunities to expand participation, improve performance standards, and embed rugby union more deeply into the fabric of student life at Northumbria.
A significant part of this will involve creating and implementing a dedicated recruitment strategy to attract talented student athletes to the university, including attending recruitment events both on and off campus. Building a strong pipeline of players is essential to the long‑term success of the programme.
On a day‑to‑day basis, the post‑holder will act as Head Coach for the Northumbria University Men's BUCS (British Universities & Colleges Sport) first team. The role demands a high level of rugby knowledge and the ability to coach at a competitive university level where standards are consistently high.
Alongside leading the men's programme, the Head of Rugby Union will line‑manage and support the appointment (where applicable) of a Lead Coach for the women's first team. This reflects the university's commitment to providing equal and high‑quality opportunities across both programmes. The post‑holder will need to ensure that the women's programme benefits from the same strategic thinking, resources and support as the men's, even if the day‑to‑day coaching is delivered through a dedicated lead coach.
You will oversee a team of casual Rugby Union coaches, providing regular mentoring and development support to help them grow in their roles. This requires not just rugby knowledge but genuine leadership and people management skills – the ability to identify individual development needs, offer constructive feedback, and create a coaching culture that reflects the values of the programme.
Every talented student athlete within the programme will have an individualised development plan, and the Head of Rugby Union will be responsible for ensuring these are in place and regularly reviewed. These plans are designed to support players holistically – not just their performance on the pitch, but their wider welfare and personal development as student athletes. The post‑holder will play a lead role in driving a student‑centred, inter‑disciplinary approach, ensuring that key support services from across the university are properly integrated into the programme.
The role requires strong relationship‑building skills. The Head of Rugby Union will act as the primary point of contact for all Rugby Union enquiries, meaning they will regularly communicate with a wide range of people – from players and parents to university colleagues and external organisations. Fostering productive working relationships across Northumbria Sport and with key external stakeholders, including partner organisations and governing bodies, will be central to success in the role. Regular updates on progress against agreed targets will be provided to the Performance Sport Manager, so clear and professional communication upward within the organisation is equally important.
A commitment to continuing professional development is also expected – the university wants someone who is proactive about staying current with best practice in coaching, player welfare, and sport science.
This is a full‑time post of 37 hours per week, though the nature of rugby means flexibility is essential. The post‑holder will be expected to work some evenings and weekends to accommodate training, fixtures and events. The role also involves travel and working across multiple sites, so a willingness to be mobile is important.
Qualifications
* Experience of coaching high‑level players and/or talented young players with the aim of recruiting the top talent to play for the university alongside studying for their degree.
* Experience of working in a multi‑disciplinary team of support staff.
* Excellent communication skills including the ability to communicate with a wide range of individuals including students and parents alongside a host of stakeholders that play a key role in the success of the programme.
* Ability to enthuse and inspire student athletes to achieve.
* Hold the England Rugby Advanced Coaching Award or be willing to work towards within 12 months of appointment.
* Undergraduate degree, preferably in a discipline relevant to the role, and/or substantial professional experience.
Please contact Thomas Robinson, Performance Sport Manager, at thomas.robinson@northumbria.ac.uk.
To apply for this vacancy please click ‘Apply Now’. Your application should include a covering letter and a CV. Interviews will be held on Wednesday 24th June.
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