Wellbeing and Transition Manager
Rugby Players Association (RPA)
The Rugby Players’ Association (RPA) is the representative body and collective voice of professional rugby players in England which was established in 1998 to look after the interests of all professional players, from Academy players to the superstars of the international game.
- Posted
- 24 Jun 2022
- Status
- Full Time
- Permanent
- Location
- England
- Closing date
- 10 Jul 2022
The Rugby Players’ Association (RPA) is the representative body and collective voice of professional rugby players in England which was established in 1998 to look after the interests of all professional players, from Academy players to the superstars of the international game. The RPA offers members Player Welfare and Representation services as well as a comprehensive national Gain Line Programme to help prepare them for life after rugby. The RPA has acted as the exclusive commercial representative of the England Men’s Senior Team since February 2004. The RPA has also represented the Red Roses since 2013 and as exclusive commercial representatives since 2021 www.therpa.co.uk
Purpose:
The newly created role of Wellbeing and Transition Manager will be part of the RPA Gain Line team and will:
- lead the RPA Wellbeing programme for the benefit of current and retired, male and female RPA members;
- support retired and transitioning players with their welfare, education, personal development and career transition.
Role context
The Gain Line programme is a personalised support service, backed by investment from Premiership Rugby, the Rugby Football Union and the RPA, to provide a high quality, independent and consistent standard of player care across all Gallagher Premiership clubs, the Red Roses and England 7s programmes which recognises that rugby is likely to be the main focus in a player's life whilst they are playing, but that playing rugby represents a relatively short part of a player’s working life. Gain Line supports players throughout their playing career and key transitions in their lives, providing wellbeing support, facilitating learning and personal development, helping players to manage risk and maximise their potential as players, as well as preparing them for life after rugby.
Key Responsibilities:
The Wellbeing and Transition Manager role, which reports to the Player Welfare Director, specifically includes but is not limited to the following areas of responsibility:
1. Wellbeing Strategy.
Leading, developing and delivering the RPA Wellbeing strategy in conjunction with the RPA Player Welfare Director, Head of Gain Line and Head of Membership Services. The strategy focuses on the key areas of RPA wellbeing services for current and former players, including:
- proactive wellbeing and mental ill health prevention programmes;
- wellbeing awareness and education e.g. RPA Lift the Weight campaign; and
- reactive assessment and treatment i.e. the RPA Confidential Counselling Service.
2. Transitioning and Retired Players
Monitoring, managing and working on a 1 to 1 basis with:
- players in the process of transitioning out of the professional game, most notably our retiring members for at least 2 years into their life after rugby, plus senior and academy players who have been released from their playing contracts;
- former players who have been retired from playing for more than 2 years and require the help of the RPA; and
- RPA Associate Members, who have transferred from the Premiership into the Championship.
Working with these players will require the successful candidate to assist them in areas including (but not limited to) their education, vocational training, personal development, career, financial, physical and mental wellbeing needs.
3. Retired Player Strategy
Leading the development and delivery of the RPA Retired Player Strategy to enhance the overall RPA retired player offering, business objectives and vision of the RPA. In particular, continuing the development, growth and administration of the Retired Player Network.
4. Safeguarding
Leading the assurance of effective safeguarding protocols within the RPA, supporting and advising RPA Development Managers with the delivery of all aspects of their management of any safeguarding issues. Ensuring that activity across the RPA is robust and in line with legislation and best practice.
5. Key Relationships
Key relationships include but are not limited to RPA Members (current and former players), RPA Development Managers, Staff and Executive Management Team, RPA Partners and Sponsors, Restart (the official charity of the RPA), Premiership Rugby and RFU staff, Industry and Recruitment organisations, Rugby Player Associations worldwide.
Skills & Experience required:
The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate a track record in some or all of the following areas:
- Understanding the challenges faced by current, transitioning and retired professional/elite athletes
- A portfolio of relevant life experiences, specifically an understanding and empathy for life transitions and the unique environments that high performance athletes operate in
- Experience of performance lifestyle or equivalent programmes within professional/elite sport
- Experience in career coaching/mentoring
- Experience and qualifications in mental health/wellbeing support e.g. Mental Health First Aid or similar
- Experience of delivery of safeguarding or related service, with knowledge and skills relevant to safeguarding
- Ability to be discreet and work with highly confidential and sensitive information
- Ability and desire to collaborate and work as part of a team
- Outstanding relationship building skills
- Outstanding communication skills
- Strong administrative, record-keeping, organisation and time management skills
- Reliability and ability to work remotely, autonomously, and maintain accountability to organisational goals and targets
How to apply
Please click 'Apply Now' to send your CV and covering note, including salary expectations, to the RPA.
Salary: Competitive plus company benefits
Location: Remote, with the expectation of occasional travel to London and other locations around the UK pending role priorities.
Application deadline: Sunday 10th July 2022. Please assume that you have been unsuccessful on this occasion if you are not contacted within 14 days of the closing date.