Main Purpose(s)

As part of the Rugby Football Union’s (RFU) partnership with British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS), this role will drive the growth and development of university rugby union, ensuring a high quality and inclusive experience for all participants.

This role will focus on expanding playing opportunities and supporting workforce development, enabling students to engage in the game as players, coaches or officials. A key part of this role will be to foster stronger connections between university rugby, the wider rugby community, and the RFU’s strategic objectives.

Main duties and responsibilities

Strategic Support & Stakeholder Engagement

• Support the RFU to engage with regional HE rugby networks, fostering stronger relationships between university rugby and the wider rugby ecosystem.

• Work collaboratively with the RFU to develop networking forums or regional university rugby conferences to improve collaboration and share best practices.

• Support the National Performance Manager to collaborate with the RFU’s Performance team to ensure BUCS Rugby is an integrated part of national player pathways and talent identification initiatives

• Actively collaborate with the RFU, SRFU and BUCS Engagement Team to share high-profile content, social media campaigns, and promotional materials to elevate the visibility of BUCS Rugby.

• Work with the RFU, SRFU and university rugby clubs to support the Student Activator networks in progressing leadership development programmes, and equipping students with skills in coaching, officiating, and sports governance.

Competitions & Events Delivery

• Assist the BUCS Competitions Team in ensuring the smooth delivery of all BUCS Rugby competitions, including BUCS Rugby Sevens where appropriate.

• Lead, with the support of the National Performance Manager, on the delivery of the Rugby Union National Championship Finals, assisting with all communications, facility bookings, and team logistics.

• Be the key contact for all BUCS Super Rugby related queries, supporting the National Performance Manager where appropriate.

• Support the transfer of BUCS Super Rugby fixture and result data between the RFU and BUCS Play systems.

• Lead on BUCS Super Rugby administration and data collection requirements, including oversight of the RFU’s EliteHub system.

• Support the National Performance Manager to develop and manage the Minimum Operating Standards for BSR.

• Work with the RFU, and the BUCS Competitions team to support the growth of rugby in the wider HE sports programme.

Data, Insight & Reporting

• Provide regular reports to the RFU on the BUCS Rugby Union competition programme, including the collation and analysis of fixture completion data and participation statistics.

• Work with the RFU and BUCS Data & Insight Team to explore technology solutions, such as match analytics and participation trend analysis, to improve competition insights and engagement.

Governance & Compliance

• Support the annual Sport Specific Affiliation process, working with the SRFU to ensure its fit for purpose, and collaborate with the BUCS Sport Governance and Compliance team to provide clear communication and guidance to institutions and students for GMS registration compliance.

• Work in partnership with the RFU and SRFU to educate on the importance of player welfare initiatives, including mental health support, concussion awareness, and safeguarding best practices for university teams.

• Work with the BUCS Competitions and Sport Governance and Compliance Teams with the coordination of the Higher Education Rugby Union Disciplinary Group (HERUDG).

• Facilitate and schedule the Men’s and Women’s BUCS Super Rugby League Management Committee meetings.

Innovation & Programme Growth

• Work with the RFU to support the development of targeted campaigns and programmes aimed at increasing participation during and after university particularly within underrepresented groups, such as; women, non-binary and those from diverse backgrounds.

• With the RFU, BUCS Competitions and Performance, and Events Team, to continually review and develop current competition structures to ensure they remain dynamic and inclusive, reflecting the changing needs of students and institutions.

Other Responsibilities

• Attend, support, and minute BUCS Rugby Union Sport Advisory Group and BSR League Management Committee meetings.

• Dynamically support the RFU and Students’ RFU with university communications, ensuring timely information is disseminated to increase engagement.

• Professionally represent BUCS and the RFU at all times.

• Attend all BUCS staff, Delivery Directorate, and Competitions and Performance Team meetings, actively contributing where appropriate.

• Attend all RFU Staff and RFU Pipeline Team Meetings where appropriate, actively contributing where appropriate.

• Undertake other administration tasks as appropriate and any other duties necessary to ensure the smooth running of BUCS operations.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

BUCS is a Disability Confident Committed and Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity and are committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive work environment. We make all employment decisions without regard to age, national origin, race, ethnicity, religion, belief, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Research shows that some people don’t apply for a role if they feel they do not meet 100% of the person specification. We encourage you to apply for this role if you feel you meet the key skills and knowledge listed below, even if you feel you do not have all of them. We are passionate about identifying the right people to help us develop and thrive.

Essential knowledge or experience

• Knowledge and experience in administrative tasks and data management.

• Experience coordinating projects and ability to meet deadlines.

• Experience of coordinating sport competitions and events.

• Experience of developing competition programmes, including fixture building and league programming.

• Experience of working in a membership organisation.

• Knowledge of NGB competition structures and player pathways, ideally within Rugby Union.

• Understanding of the university sport landscape, competition models, and student engagement strategies.

Essential skills and abilities

• The ability to analyse and solve problems.

• The ability to work well in a team and independently.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Excellent planning and organisational skills.

• Ability to think logically, consistently, and innovatively.

• Good people skills, including the ability to negotiate and influence.

• Ability to prioritise tasks and manage multiple work streams.

• Strong focus on the provision of customer service.

Desirable knowledge or experience

• Experience of working within a sports governing body or university sport environment.

• Experience of managing budgets with the support of senior staff.

• Experience in digital engagement or marketing within sport.

• Understanding of risk management and governance in sport.