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England Students' Programme Lead
England Students' RFU / SRFU
The Students' Rugby Football Union (SRFU) is the governing body for university rugby union in England. It runs the England Students programme and supports student rugby alongside the RFU and BUCS.
Job Posted- 22 Oct 2026
Status- Voluntary
Location- England
- Remote
Closing date- 29 Nov 2026
The Students' Rugby Football Union (SRFU) is looking for a volunteer Programme Lead to provide strategic oversight of the England Students men's programme, its international representative side for university rugby players from across England.
The Role
England Students' brings together talented university rugby players, including late developers and those who have followed alternative routes through the game. The programme is delivered by a largely volunteer coaching and support team alongside the RFU Player Pathway. As Programme Lead, you will be the link between the delivery team and the SRFU Board, helping to make sure the programme is well planned, resourced, safe and sustainable, and leading a three-to-five-year strategy for its future.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the development and delivery of a three-to-five-year strategy covering the programme's purpose, structure, workforce, fixtures and sustainability
- Work with the SRFU Operations Manager and Board to turn strategic priorities into annual delivery plans
- Provide strategic oversight of delivery, including selection, camps, fixtures and workforce planning, with regular assurance reports to the Board
- Support the appointment, development and review of key volunteer roles across coaching, management, medical and support teams
- Promote high standards of welfare, safeguarding and duty of care, working closely with the SRFU Medical Lead
- Act as a senior contact for the RFU, BUCS, member universities and international rugby partners
- Oversee programme risks and escalate significant issues to the Board
About You
- Experience of leading or overseeing coaches and multidisciplinary teams in a high-level sporting environment
- Experience of building a multi-year programme or performance plan and holding others to it
- Ability to make and defend resourcing recommendations under funding uncertainty
- Experience of working with medical and welfare practitioners and understanding of duty-of-care obligations
- Experience of working with national governing bodies and international federations or equivalent bodies
- A track record of influencing change without direct authority, with sound judgement on risk, welfare and safeguarding
- Desirable: knowledge of the university rugby landscape and BUCS, governance experience, and experience in a volunteer-led environment
Key Details
- Location: Remote (England)
- Contract: Voluntary position
- Closing date: 29 November 2026 at 11:59pm
- Interviews: week commencing 7 December 2026, via Microsoft Teams
- Appointment is subject to an enhanced DBS check and two satisfactory references
How to Apply
Email your CV and a covering note of no more than one page using the apply form on this page.