Growth Activator

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Growth Activator

🔹 Company: England Rugby

🔹 Location: Home based covering the South West

🔹 Job Type: Full time, Fixed Term Contract

🔹 Category: Sports

🔹 Date Posted: 2025-05-02

🔹 Experience Level: 2-5 years

🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (Home based with travel requirements)

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Increasing opportunities to play rugby through partnerships and projects
• Driving participation locally and contributing to the strategic objective of 100,000 women and girls playing rugby by 2027
• Engaging with a range of partners, including schools, colleges, youth organizations, and local rugby networks
• Acting as an ambassador for the RFU and promoting its culture and core values

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of self-motivation and the ability to work independently, as well as strong collaboration skills to work effectively with various stakeholders.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Coordinate and lead local implementation of targeted participation campaigns

✅ Create and deliver project plans to achieve agreed outcomes

✅ Develop relationships and liaise with local, regional, and national RFU staff and external stakeholders to align and increase access to programmes and initiatives

✅ Monitor and evaluate impact, share learning and contribute to local data and insight

✅ Provide update reports for a range of stakeholders

✅ Actively collaborate with colleagues to contribute to the development and delivery of the current strategic, business and operational plans

✅ Promote the best interests of the RFU and its core values

✅ Undertake other duties as required

ASSUMPTION: This role may involve working evenings and weekends, as well as occasional travel to the Allianz Stadium.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: No specific degree required, but relevant experience is essential

Experience: Proven experience in project management, with a focus on increasing participation in sport, ideally within the women and girls' sector

Required Skills:

• Understanding of the sporting landscape, especially in relation to women and girls' sport
• Understanding of barriers to participation, especially for women and girls
• Experience in project management, involving internal and external stakeholders
• Committed to driving forward inclusion in your role and day-to-day behaviours
• Experience of working with and supporting cross-function teams/roles to ensure solutions are consistent and integrated
• Experience of increasing participation in sport
• Ability to demonstrate experience in building and sustaining relationships and working in teams
• Ability to analyze problems and develop solutions
• Time management and prioritisation skills
• Highly motivated and able to work under own direction to achieve stated objectives within the necessary timescales
• Effective oral and written communication skills, including report writing and delivering effective presentations
• Excellent IT skills, particularly in the use of Microsoft Office, including MS Teams
• Committed to embodying the ethos of the RFU's culture by using its 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

Preferred Skills:

• Understanding of the rugby landscape in the Midlands
• Knowledge of the education sector
• Project management training
• Ability to analyze data and use insights to inform decision making
• Use of the RFU’s Game Management System (GMS)

ASSUMPTION: While not explicitly stated, a valid driving license and access to a vehicle may be required for this role due to the travel requirements.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: £33,000 per annum (fixed term contract)

Benefits:

• Pension scheme
• Healthcare cash plan
• Employee assistance programme
• 25 days' annual leave (plus bank holidays)
• Flexible working arrangements

Working Hours: 35 hours per week, including weekends and unsociable hours

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is based on the information given in the job description. However, it is always recommended to verify the salary and benefits package directly with the employer.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: The RFU is the national governing body for grassroots and elite rugby in England, with over 2,000 autonomous rugby clubs in its membership. It is responsible for the development and growth of the game at all levels.

Company Size: The RFU has 201-500 employees, providing a mid-sized organization structure with opportunities for growth and development.

Founded: The RFU was founded in 1871 and has a rich history in the development of rugby union in England.

Company Description:

• The RFU is committed to enriching lives through rugby union, introducing more people to the sport, and developing it for future generations.
• It aims to be rooted in its purpose, which is to enrich lives, introduce more people to rugby union, and develop the sport for future generations.
• The RFU is dedicated to promoting its culture and core values – Put The Team First, Shape The Future, Respect Each Other – in all its activities.

Company Specialties:

• Governing body for grassroots and elite rugby in England
• Development and growth of rugby union at all levels
• Promotion of rugby union and its core values

Company Website: http://www.englandrugby.com

ASSUMPTION: The RFU is a non-profit organization, and its mission is to grow and develop rugby union in England for the benefit of all.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: This role is at the Implement level, which is typically associated with mid-level positions that involve implementing strategies and plans to achieve specific objectives.

Reporting Structure: The Growth Activator will report directly to the Growth Manager (Women & Girls).

Work Arrangement: This role is home-based, covering the South West, with travel requirements to the Midlands and occasional travel to the Allianz Stadium.

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential for career progression within the RFU, as the organization continues to grow and develop
• Opportunities to work on high-profile projects and events, such as the Women's Rugby World Cup
• Chance to gain experience in a variety of areas, including project management, stakeholder engagement, and community development

ASSUMPTION: This role may provide opportunities for career growth and development within the RFU, as the organization continues to expand and evolve.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: The RFU's headquarters is located in Twickenham, with this role being home-based covering the South West.

Office Location(s): Rugby House, 200 Whitton Road, Twickenham, TW2 7BA, GB

Geographic Context:

• The South West region of England is home to a diverse range of communities and cultures, providing opportunities for the Growth Activator to engage with a wide range of partners and stakeholders.
• The Midlands is a key focus area for this role, with the Growth Activator working to increase participation in rugby union in the region.
• The Allianz Stadium is the home of England Rugby and hosts various events and matches throughout the year.

Work Schedule: This role requires a flexible approach to working hours, with the potential for working evenings, weekends, and occasional travel.

ASSUMPTION: The home-based nature of this role may provide opportunities for a better work-life balance, while the travel requirements may necessitate some flexibility in working hours.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application submission
• Phone or video screening
• Face-to-face interview at the Allianz Stadium
• Final decision and offer

Key Assessment Areas:

• Understanding of the sporting landscape, particularly in relation to women and girls' sport
• Project management skills and experience
• Ability to work collaboratively with a range of stakeholders
• Communication and presentation skills
• Alignment with the RFU's core values and culture

Application Tips:

• Tailor your CV and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
• Demonstrate your understanding of the sporting landscape and your commitment to driving forward inclusion in your role and day-to-day behaviours
• Provide specific examples of your project management experience and your ability to analyze problems and develop solutions
• Prepare for interview questions that focus on your understanding of the RFU's core values and your ability to work collaboratively with a range of stakeholders

ATS Keywords: Women and girls' sport, participation campaigns, project management, stakeholder engagement, community development, rugby union, RFU, England Rugby

ASSUMPTION: The RFU uses an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to manage its recruitment process, and including relevant keywords in your application can help ensure that your CV is picked up by the system.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams)
• Game Management System (GMS)
• Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Microsoft Project)

ASSUMPTION: The specific tools and technologies required for this role may be discussed during the interview process.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Put The Team First
• Shape The Future
• Respect Each Other

Work Style:

• Collaborative and team-oriented
• Adaptable and flexible
• Results-driven and focused on achieving outcomes

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How do you embody the RFU's core values in your day-to-day decisions, actions, and interactions?
• How do you approach building and sustaining relationships with a range of stakeholders, including internal and external partners?
• How do you analyze problems and develop solutions in a project management context?

ASSUMPTION: The RFU places a strong emphasis on cultural fit and alignment with its core values, and candidates who can demonstrate a strong fit with the organization's culture are likely to be more successful in the recruitment process.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Working with a wide range of partners and stakeholders may require strong communication and collaboration skills
• Balancing the demands of the role with personal commitments may be challenging, given the flexible working hours and occasional travel requirements
• The fixed-term nature of the contract may provide uncertainty regarding long-term employment prospects
• Working in a high-pressure environment, such as leading up to a major event like the Women's Rugby World Cup, may present additional challenges

ASSUMPTION: The potential challenges associated with this role are outweighed by the opportunities it presents for personal and professional growth and development.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role is similar to other project management positions within the sports industry, but with a specific focus on increasing participation in rugby union among women and girls
• The RFU's commitment to growing and developing the game of rugby union in England sets this role apart from similar positions in other sports organizations
• Career progression opportunities within the RFU may be more limited than in larger, more established organizations, but the chance to work on high-profile projects and events provides unique growth and development opportunities

ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity to work within a specific niche of the sports industry, with the potential for significant impact on the growth and development of rugby union in England.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and implementing a targeted participation campaign to increase the number of women and girls playing rugby union in the Midlands
• Collaborating with local schools and colleges to deliver rugby union coaching and education programmes
• Working with local rugby clubs to identify and address barriers to participation for women and girls

ASSUMPTION: The specific projects undertaken in this role will be determined by the local context and the needs of the communities served.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• How does this role contribute to the RFU's strategic objective of 100,000 women and girls playing rugby by 2027?
• What opportunities are there for career growth and development within the RFU?
• How does the RFU support its employees in balancing the demands of the role with personal commitments?
• What is the typical timeline for the recruitment process for this role?
• How does the RFU measure the success of its participation campaigns and projects?

ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful and insightful questions during the interview process can help demonstrate your interest in and understanding of the role and the organization.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Tailor your CV and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
• Prepare for a phone or video screening and a face-to-face interview at the Allianz Stadium
• Follow up with the RFU after the interview to express your interest in the role

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.