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GM Community Rugby Participation and Development
New Zealand Rugby
New Zealand Rugby (NZR) is the governing body of rugby union in New Zealand.
Job Posted- 23 Jun 2026
Status- Full Time
Location- New Zealand
Closing date- 7 Jul 2026
About the role
This is a senior leadership role with wide-reaching impact across the game. You will provide national leadership, strategic direction, systems thinking, and operational management to deliver key priorities within NZR's Strategy and help shape a thriving, safe, and sustainable community game.
You will be responsible for driving a connected national approach to community rugby growth and development through:
- Leading NZR's approach to growing community rugby participation and supporting the design and delivery of national participation plans and programmes.
- Leading national strategies to attract, develop and retain coaches and referees across the community game, while aligning with relevant international and national best practice frameworks.
- Overseeing the development and delivery of effective training and education for players, coaches, referees, and key volunteer groups, supported by modern learning systems and tools.
- Overseeing regulatory development, membership and competition systems, safeguarding support, event sanctioning, competition management support, and the delivery of participation insights.
- Leading NZR’s strategic approach to injury prevention and wellbeing across community rugby to support player welfare, safe environments and sustainable participation outcomes.
About you
You are a a systems leader with strong strategic and programme / project oversight experience, who can lead specialist teams without needing to be the technical expert in each area.
To be successful in this role, you will bring:
- Outstanding relationship management and influencing skills with the ability to work across a broad stakeholder group.
- Proven system leadership in community sport at a national or regional level.
- Strong strategic planning, programme management, and project delivery capability.
- Experience leading multi-stakeholder partnerships and governance-based programme delivery.
- Demonstrated ability to oversee investment, manage competing priorities and deliver outcomes through others.
- A solid technical and tactical understanding of rugby.
- Understanding of modern coaching and educational pedagogy, particularly in coach or referee development.
- Excellent presentation and facilitation skills.
- Demonstrated success in leading people, giving effective feedback, and lifting performance.
- A tertiary qualification in management, sport, or a related discipline.
Click here for a full job description
About Us
At NZR we love what we do, we work hard and have fun! You’ll be joining a team of awesome people who are passionate about the game and each other, and you’ll be backed with support to thrive in your role. We know that life isn’t all about work, so we are open to flexible working options.
We value diversity and inclusion and are committed to improving our cultural responsiveness. We embrace and respect each other’s values and we are so proud to be Rainbow Tick certified. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and walks of life.
What We Offer (benefits)
• Learn & Grow Your Career | Flexible Work Environment
• Receive Rugby Tickets | Sports Apparel | Discounts
• Wellbeing | 5 weeks Annual Leave | Social Club
How to Apply
Please click APPLY NOW to begin the application process.