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Head of Talent Management and Insight
Welsh Rugby Union (WRU)
Governing body for the national sport of Wales. Leading Welsh rugby to the forefront of the global game in performance and reputation. Developing grass-roots rugby, increasing participation, supporting clubs and bringing communities together.
Job Posted- 15 Oct 2026
Status- Full Time
Location- Wales
Closing date- 29 Oct 2026
To lead the strategic delivery of Talent Insight and Management across Welsh rugby, establishing and embedding a clear and uniquely Welsh DNA for how players are unearthed, understood, connected and developed across the men’s and women’s performance systems.
The role is accountable for defining and delivering an integrated Player Intelligence System and national player pipeline, bringing together expert judgement, scouting, data science, AI and human factors to build a holistic and longitudinal understanding of player performance, potential and progression.
Through modern player trajectory modelling, agentic workflows and evidence-led decision-making, the role will continually improve Welsh rugby’s ability to identify, retain, develop and accelerate future international players, providing coaches and executive leaders with the intelligence to make better player and talent decisions.
The Person
- Significant senior experience within elite sport, talent, performance intelligence, data science, player development or another relevant high-performance environment.
- Demonstrable experience of developing and implementing strategy across complex, multidisciplinary performance systems.
- Deep understanding of talent identification, talent development and player progression, including the complexity, uncertainty and non-linear nature of predicting future performance.
- Strong understanding of modern data science, predictive modelling and longitudinal player analysis, with the ability to translate technical approaches into meaningful performance questions and decisions.
- Strong understanding of artificial intelligence, automation and agentic systems, with the ability to identify where these technologies can transform scouting, intelligence and performance workflows.
- Excellent understanding of scouting, player assessment and expert judgement, and the ability to integrate qualitative and quantitative evidence rather than privileging either in isolation.
- Demonstrable ability to turn complex information into clear, decision-ready insight for coaches, performance leaders and senior executives.
- Strong understanding of evidence-led decision-making, including uncertainty, bias, validation, calibration and the limitations of predictive information.
- Experience of designing or improving player intelligence, talent management, data or performance systems that connect information across multiple environments
The Role
- Define, own and embed a world leading Talent Insight and Management strategy, creating a single longitudinal understanding of Welsh-qualified players and their development from initial identification through the pathway, professional rugby and senior international performance.
- Design and lead an integrated national player pipeline, connecting how Welsh rugby unearths, identifies, understands, tracks and accelerates the development of players from the pathway through to senior international rugby.
- Lead and develop a multidisciplinary team, incorporating rugby AI, data/talent science and human factors expertise to create a more complete understanding of player performance, potential and development.
- Lead the talent contribution to What It Takes to Win and Welsh Rugby DNA, ensuring the characteristics and capabilities of the Future Welsh Player inform identification, development, selection/recruitment and succession planning.
- Work collaboratively across departments to create a genuinely trans-disciplinary view of the player by combining expert observation, coaching judgement, performance data, physical development, behavioural insight, maturation, opportunity and other relevant evidence.
- Develop a strategy and operational plan for a national and international talent intelligence and scouting network, connecting scouts, coaches, clubs and trusted talent contacts to systematically gather, challenge and share intelligence on current and emerging Welsh-qualified players.
- Establish and continually develop a world-leading scouting and Talent ID capability, creating consistent approaches to player observation, assessment, profiling and intelligence gathering, while ensuring the system actively searches for emerging talent, alternative perspectives and players who may otherwise remain unseen.
- Lead the development of modern player trajectory and potential modelling, using data science, longitudinal analysis and predictive techniques to understand development pathways, changing trajectories and probability of progression.
- Provide coaches and senior leaders with clear, decision-ready intelligence on player depth, future potential, development priorities, emerging opportunities and strategic risks across the national player population.
- Build a continuous learning system and agentic AI capability, automating key workflows while connecting evidence, decisions, interventions and outcomes to understand what genuinely predicts and accelerates future international performance and continually improves talent development.
- Maintain a future focus across talent science, AI and data, applying emerging approaches to accelerate the accuracy and depth of player insight and creates a sustainable competitive advantage for Welsh rugby
- Support WRU coach development activities through agreed workshops, mentoring and educational programmes.
- Act as an outstanding ambassador for Welsh Rugby, representing the organisation with integrity, collaboration and professionalism.
- Carry out duties in support of the WRU Strategic Mission, Purpose and Values.
WRU Requirements
The WRU require that individuals are proficient in IT skills, specifically Microsoft packages. Excellent written and verbal communications are essential, along with the ability to build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
Ability to communicate through the medium of Welsh and a Valid UK Driver's License is desirable. This role is subject to a basic/enhanced DBS check.
The Perks
As a permanent member of the WRU Group, you will have access to our full range of employee benefits, including:
- Salary Sacrifice Pension (5% employee contribution, matched by WRU)
- Life assurance scheme
- WRU Group Ticket Allocation (in line with ticketing policy)
- One additional paid day off (birthday leave)
- Employee assistance programme
- Team Tactics – hybrid working arrangements
- Free stadium parking and gym
- WRU Group store and tour discounts
- WRU Group partnership offers
- Eye Care Voucher Scheme
- Cycle to Work Scheme
Our Values
The WRU Group are committed to developing a culture whereby all employees are equally valued and respected. Our aims, together with our vision and mission, are underpinned by our core values and beliefs which embrace: Integrity, Excellence, Success, Courage, Family & Humour.
Inclusion At The WRU
The WRU Group are committed to building diverse, high-performing and engaged teams across Welsh Rugby. We are ambitious about providing a people first culture where everyone can belong, be heard and respected. We are happy to talk to you about our Crys I Bawb EDI Strategy (2024-2029) and you can also read more about our commitment in our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy.
How to Apply
Please click “Apply Now” to begin your application.