Human Resources Manager

World Rugby is the world governing and law-making body for the sport of Rugby Union. In addition to its governance functions World Rugby has established World Rugby Events & Media DAC (WREM) – which is charged with organising and delivering World Rugby’s major international events including the men’s and women’s Rugby World Cups and the annual Sevens World Series (SVNS).

World Rugby is on a mission to innovate, excite, inspire and engage new audiences in existing and new rugby markets to grow the sport. Through WREM, the delivery of these major tournaments under a new model is one of the keys to the success of a new strategic plan. This started with the hugely successful delivery of the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 and will continue with Rugby World Cups in Australia - Men’s in 2027, Women’s in 2029 and culminating in groundbreaking tournaments in the USA in 2031 and 2033. The renowned Sevens World Series has been relaunched as ‘SVNS’ to be a gateway for engaging new fans and audiences with the sport of rugby union. The delivery of an annual calendar of events involving the home international matches for the USA national men’s and women’s 15s and 7s teams is also the responsibility of WREM.

Under the new operating model launched in 2022, World Rugby has a more direct role in the setting up, running and delivery of the Rugby World Cups and SVNS and aims to be a leader in the delivery of major international events. WREM has established and will continue to establish local teams in each operating jurisdiction – Australia and USA right now.  Event Delivery Partnerships have been established in each territory for the delivery of the SVNS series and the USA annual events.  

Human Resources Manager

Based in London

OBJECTIVE OF THE ROLE

World Rugby intends to appoint a Human Resources (HR) Manager within WREM. This role will lead on the delivery of HR services for WREM employees, supporting the development of HR processes and rolling out an inclusive and unique Employee Value Proposition. Ensuring effective central processes will enable World Rugby to exploit efficiencies, avoid duplications, and maximise opportunities to develop WREM capabilities as well as developing future talent through effective secondment and deployments of World Rugby staff at Tournament Time. The role will also support the delivery of Workforce services during Tournament planning and delivery where required.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

HR Services:

• Lead the recruitment process for WREM Central Staff
• Provide HR services for WREM employees on employee relations matters including compensation and benefits, resourcing and talent planning, learning and development and employment law
• Lead on driving employee engagement and experience for WREM employees
• Plan and deliver an informative and engaging Onboarding Programme for WREM Central staff
• Lead an annual Work Experience/Apprenticeship programme
• Act as a point of integration for WREM with the World Rugby International Federation HR team – specifically regarding HR systems, Payroll processing and specific Group-wide policies and procedures
• Support with wider HR tasks as required, demonstrating flexibility in a fast paced environment

Tournament Workforce Management:

• Support the procurement and roll out of HR Systems and Processes suitable for each Host Nation for implementation by the Local Team
• Maintain records and databases of Tournament Time Staff through the Tournament Management System, ensuring accuracy and confidentiality of information in accordance with established guidelines
• Act as the primary point of contact for World Rugby’s functional specialist advisers (referred to as Long Term Strategic Partners - LTSPs) overseeing the contracting and management of the relevant support mechanisms, including contract renewal, scope of work development and financial management
• Provide relevant support as required to WREM HR operations in local event subsidiaries, including as required supporting the identification and onboarding of employees across the event portfolio

Travel and Accommodation:

• Support the booking of accreditation, travel and accommodation for central World Rugby Events and Media staff and World Rugby International Federation and Central Functions staff and World Rugby Appointedstaff travelling to events - in accordance with agreed standards

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

Essential

• 5+ years of HR experience in a fast paced organisation, with experience of managing staff across a variety of employment statuses
• Experience of managing project plans for complex events or projects
• Familiarity with HR/Payroll Systems
• Experience of managing a wide range of stakeholders and obtaining information from people in a timely manner

Desirable

• Led a HR programme for a major sports event or multi-venue event
• Introduced a new HR system to an organisation

COMPETENCIES (KEY SKILLS & PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES)

• Excellent planning and organisation skills including project planning
• Experienced in all MS Office programmes (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• A flexible approach to working within an organisation that has a range of distinct needs and staff populations
• Positive, outgoing personality - collaborative, persistent, resilient and diplomatic.
• Ability to forge strong collaborative relationships and a team player – committed to taking Accountability, working Collaboratively and in a Transparent manner (ACT)
• Ability to work on own initiative and pay attention to detail
• Demonstrably high levels of integrity and discretion
• Share and embrace World Rugby’s core values; Discipline, respect, integrity, passion and solidarity through teamwork

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion:

World Rugby is committed to building a diverse workforce and therefore strongly encourages applications from underrepresented groups. We are committed to equality and inclusion and welcome applications from all individuals, regardless of their background. We strive to be a diverse and inclusive workplace, which reflects the global sport we want to be and where everyone can be themselves and feel they belong.

Flexible Working:

Most of our roles offer hybrid working.  We ask colleagues to work :

Three (3) days a week “out of home”.   Two (2) “core” office days (Tuesday & Wednesday) and a third day of your choice to be with stakeholders.

“Out of home” can mean working in a World Rugby office/hub, working from a venue or face to face meetings with partners/suppliers/agencies/teammates or other rugby family stakeholders.

The remaining two (2) days are flexible to work from home (or the office)>

This applies to our Dublin & London offices.