Community Game Communications Lead

With the Womens Rugby World Cup taking place here in England this year its an incredibly exciting time to join the RFU and working at the RFU means being part of the bigger picture at England Rugby: to be rooted in our purpose which is to enrich lives introduce more people to rugby union & develop the sport for future generations. If our purpose resonates with you and you recognise the value that sport can bring to peoples lives wed love to work with you. An opportunity has arisen for a Community Game Communications Lead to join the Communications team on a permanent basis.

Job Title : Community Game Communications Lead

Department : Communications

Reports to : Executive Director Corporate Affairs

Direct report(s) : Senior Communications Manager Community & W&G Communications Manager

Salary Banding : 75000 per annum

Job Level :Translate

Location :This role is contractually based at Allianz Stadium offering some flexibility to work from home

Employment Type : Permanent

Working Hours : This is a full-time role covering 35 hours per week

Application Information:

• Please submit an anonymised CV (i.e. please exclude personal details).
• The closing date for applications is 09^th October at 05:00 PM.
• The RFU reserves the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications.
• Applications may be considered whilst this vacancy is advertised.

Please note; we are currently experiencing an issue with applications using Live MSN Hotmail and Outlook accounts. Please apply using a different email address if you typically use one of these domains as we cannot guarantee that you will receive communications from us if you use these.

The Role:

This is an exciting time to join the RFU communications team which is seeking to become more visible more transparent and engage more widely and innovatively with its large range of stakeholders.

We are looking for a strategic leader to drive engagement and communications with the community and grassroots game. This role is central to strengthening our relationship with the people and clubs who form the foundation of rugby in England from volunteers and players to coaches and club administrators.

We want to get better at listening communicating and connecting with our grassroots stakeholders in more meaningful and inclusive ways. As the landscape of community sport evolves its vital we keep the grassroots game informed involved and inspired. This means two-way communication that is clear timely and representative and that celebrates the vital role community rugby plays in sustaining the health values and future of our game.

Were looking for someone who can lead this work with empathy credibility and clarity someone who understands the power of storytelling the importance of consultation and the unique spirit of rugby at the community level.

You will lead a small team with expertise in communications and content development and work across the organisation to deliver your goals.

Some key responsibilities include:

• Develop and deliver a national community engagement strategy aligned with the RFUs strategic goals ensuring strong relationships with grassroots clubs volunteers players and regional bodies.
• Lead communications for the community game including creating campaigns messaging and content that resonates with diverse stakeholders and promotes inclusivity growth and participation.
• Act a key liaison with the grassroots rugby community gathering feedback listening to concerns and ensuring community voices inform policy and decision-making.
• Work across relevant RFU teams to oversee multi-channel communication plans (digital social print and in-person) that promote grassroots initiatives share best practices and celebrate the community game.
• Collaborate with internal departments (e.g. Rugby Development Competitions Safeguarding) to ensure consistent and effective engagement across all levels of the game.
• Help to coordinate national events roadshows and forums to connect with clubs CBs (Constituent Bodies) and volunteers and to support consultation and information-sharing.
• Manage crisis and issue communications for the community game working closely with the RFUs media and public affairs teams.
• Monitor and report on engagement effectiveness providing insights and recommendations to improve community relationships and communication outcomes.
• Champion diversity equity and inclusion across the grassroots game ensuring communication and engagement strategies reflect the RFUs values and reach underrepresented groups.
• Support the development of volunteer recognition and retention strategies highlighting the vital role volunteers play in sustaining the grassroots game.
• 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.

Essential:

• Proven experience in developing and delivering communications strategies across multiple channels.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to tailor messages to different audiences including volunteers clubs and regional stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to build trusted relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience managing or working in cross-functional teams with the ability to influence without direct authority.
• Proven ability to lead consultations town halls or forums and act as a credible voice for an organisation.
• Strong grasp of digital communications including managing websites social media platforms newsletters and engagement analytics.
• Familiarity with media relations and crisis communications in a public-facing or community-based setting.
• 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.
• Willingness to travel nationally and work occasional evenings/weekends to attend events or club forums.

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 .
• 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.