Workforce 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.  

Workforce Manager

Based in London

(Fixed Term Contract until December 2027)

OBJECTIVE OF THE ROLE

World Rugby intends to appoint a Workforce Manager within WREM. This role will lead on the central planning for Tournament Time Workforces. 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 HR services to WREM where required.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

Workforce Planning and Coordination:

• Lead on Workforce Planning for future Rugby World Cups, including working closely with local teams to ensure appropriate mechanisms are in place to support Tournament Time resource allocation
• Manage the continuing development of the Tournament Time Workforce standards and processes to ensure smooth functioning of the Workforce functional area at each event
• Manage uniform requirements for World Rugby Events and Media Central Staff and World Rugby International Federation and World Rugby Central Functions staff.  This includes managing the operational relationship with our supplier - Macron. 
• Support the management of the Workforce Tournament Management (TMS) and Learning Management (LMS) systems, ensuring they are fit-for-purpose for local teams
• Liaise with colleagues and external stakeholders to collate information on Tournament Time requirements for Workforce
• Support the delivery of a Tournament Time Transfer programme for central World Rugby Events and Media staff and World Rugby International Federation and Central Functions staff.
• Support with wider Workforce tasks as required in the build-up to each event, demonstrating flexibility in a fast-paced environment

Tournament Workforce Management:

• Maintain records and databases of Tournament Time staff through the Tournament Management System, ensuring accuracy and confidentiality of information in accordance with established guidelines
• Provide reports on budget and itineraries – using data to track trends and improve efficiency across events
• Support the management of World Rugby’s functional specialist advisers (referred to as Long Term Strategic Partners - LTSPs), supporting the contracting and management of the relevant support mechanisms, including contract renewal, scope of work development and financial management

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 Appointed staff travelling to events - in accordance with agreed standards

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

Essential

• 5+ years of Workforce experience in an events setting – with an understanding of HR practices
• Experience of managing project plans for complex events
• Familiarity with workforce management systems, Tournament Management Systems or experience of learning to use new systems quickly and effectively
• Experience of managing a wide range of stakeholders and obtaining information from people in a timely manner

Desirable

• Led a Workforce programme for a major sports event or multi-venue event
• Managed the distribution of large quantities of equipment or uniform

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
• 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.