World Rugby is the world governing and law-making body for the sport of Rugby Union. In addition to its governance functions World Rugby has established World Rugby Events & Media (WREM) – which is charged with organising and delivering World Rugby’s major international events including the men’s and women’s Rugby World Cups and the annual Sevens World Series (SVNS).

 

 

WREM’s purpose is to plan and deliver iconic events. To do this we must be innovative, to excite, inspire and engage new audiences in existing and new rugby markets to grow the sport in key development markets. Through WREM, the delivery of these major tournaments under a new model will be key to the success of our strategic plan and will see Rugby World Cups in Australia in 2027 played by men, Australia 2029 played by women and culminating in groundbreaking tournaments in the USA in 2031 and 2033 played by men and women respectively. The renowned Sevens World Series has been relaunched as ‘SVNS’ to be the gateway for engaging new fans and audiences with the sport of rugby union. The delivery of an annual calendar of events involving the home international matches for the USA national men’s and women’s 15s and 7s teams is also the responsibility of WREM and is part of the runway of activity through to RWCs 2031 and 2033 in the USA.

 

 

Head of Venue & Event Delivery

Based in London

Closing Date For Applications – Monday 16th March

 

 

World Rugby is looking to appoint a Head of Venue and Event Delivery reporting to the Director of Event Delivery. The role plays a critical role in supporting the development of event delivery capabilities, match venue selection for our tournaments, operational plans, standards and guidance rolled out and utilised across all future Rugby World Cups, and other major events. The role works closely with other Functional Areas within Events and Media as well as key Senior Managers, Functional Area Leads and Managers within local teams established in those territories hosting future Rugby World Cups.

 

 

 

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

 

 

The Head of Venue and Event Delivery has a key role within ~WREM and is responsible for the following:

 

 

Strategic

 

The role will provide key input and leadership supporting the Director of Event Delivery to develop the vision and strategy for Venue and Event Delivery for World Rugby’s major international events. This will include ensuring the establishment and adoption of World Rugby’s major international event planning and delivery methodology, delivery principles, processes and procedures to be rolled out across local delivery teams – including Functional Area Operating Planning, Integrated Planning, Venue Operational Planning (including Model Venue Exercise), Bump in Bump out planning and Venue Integrated Scheduling, CAD management and version control, client journey planning and other associated processes.

Supporting the Director of Event Delivery and the appropriate local teams / territory specific teams, with Host City Match Venue selection for future RWC tournaments and other events.

Lead on the Venue Selection process for future RWCs, developing necessary documentation to support bid processes including venue hosting requirements, undertaking venue visits, evaluation and the production of relevant reports.

Lead the contract management of appropriate Long Term Strategic Partners (LTSPs) appointed in respective functional disciplines to ensure World Rugby has access to industry leading advice and input to achieve the successful planning and delivery of its major international events.

Effectively leading the strategic direction for Venue Management and other associated Functional Areas (FAs) including Overlay (and power), Image and Look, Media Operations as well as acting as a key integration point for other event delivery FAs including Broadcast operations, Commercial Operations, Retail and Licensing, Ceremonies and Sports Presentation, and Ticketing.

Effectively leading and guiding on a portfolio of specific Functional Areas within the Events Services Department, whilst providing expertise in more than one of the following functional areas; Transport, Arrivals & Departures, Logistics, Accommodation, Tournament Guest & Protocol and Catering Cleaning & Waste.

Own and manage the development and maintenance of core planning documents (both templates and final versions), ensuring they are clear, integrated and reflect industry standard. This includes; Functional Area Delivery Frameworks, Venue Technical Guides, and Venue Hire Agreements and Venue Operational Plans.

Support Host City Operations in the development of Functional Area Delivery Frameworks, City Operational and Technical Guidelines and the production and development of Host City / State Agreements.

The role will work closely with WREM and local team Functional Area Leads to ensure operational integration into all venue related plans, policies and procedures.

Work closely with the Programme Management team to ensure the development and management of the local delivery venue and related masterplans, risk and issues logs and more detailed project plans across the events portfolio.

Identifying and embedding efficiencies ensuring a more streamlined and operationally efficient event delivery model that constantly and consistently evolves from event to event.

Assist the Director and SLT to manage budgets and identify efficiencies within operational structures to ensure that resources are optimally employed.

Developing presentations for key stakeholder briefings (e.g. WREM SLT, Board Meetings, Venue Working Groups)

Support recruitment and procurement across the broader Event and Media structure.

Ensure thorough post-event debriefs with local teams to identify areas for improvement to help build on future World Rugby event delivery and capability.

 

 

Tactical and Operational

 

Work closely with Legal to drive the development of Venue contract templates along with the with the negotiation of agreements for tournaments, with support from the local teams as required.

Ensuring comprehensive venue space and resource scoping is undertaken by local teams and Events and Media Functional Areas.

Supporting local team Venue Leads and Managers in ensuring Match Venues are planned and delivered to pre-agreed standards for all stakeholders and client groups.

Working with the Event Planning Department to define the venue documentation and guidance to best assist local teams to subsequently develop Functional Area Operating Plans and other operational documentation.

Working with the Business Application Manager, manage and oversee the procurement, implementation and management of a Virtual Venue Planning Software, to enhance World Rugby’s capabilities in venue planning, integrating functions and local teams to enable efficiencies across the business.

Supporting the local teams in ensuring budgets are accurately scoped and identifying efficiencies within operational structures.

Support local teams on recruitment and procurement where appropriate.

Ensuring effective working with colleagues across World Rugby Federation, Events and Media and local teams in each territory staging tournaments, along with their relevant stakeholders in the development of operational plans and readiness for delivery, providing direction, guidance and support on a day-to-day basis.

A key integrator in driving accountability, collaboration and team work within the division and the wider World Rugby ecosystem.

Supporting decision making and issue resolution for venue related conflicts between Functional Areas.

Undertake operational delivery activity as required at Tournament Time – working with the local teams as an embedded member of the delivery capability

Where required, deputise for the Director and representing on matters relating to departmental Functional Areas.

Perform any other reasonable tasks or duties as directed by the Director of Event Delivery or Chief of Events.

 

 

 

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

 

 

Demonstrable success in managing or leading Venue management and / or operations, of major multi-city, multi-venue events from providing strategic direction through venue selection processes and guidance through to overseeing and contributing to operational planning and delivery.

Demonstrable success in delivering excellence in event delivery outcomes.

Experience dealing with contract management, procurement, budgets, and project management tools.

Demonstrable success in managing or leading a functional area / specific project portfolio from providing strategic direction and guidance through to overseeing operational planning and delivery.

Demonstrable success in supporting senior leaders, and providing managerial support and leadership to a team or workforce.

 

 

 

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

 

 

A degree level education or equivalent professional qualification.

 

 

 

SKILLS AND PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

 

 

Passion for major events and preferably an interest in Rugby Union

Excellent knowledge of the layers of venue management and event operations

Sound programme, financial and budget management skills

A track record of working with a variety of stakeholders and developing key relationships

Ability to manage resources, secure implementation of changes and delivery outcomes to time and budget.

Ability to influence, including facilitating joint decision making

Strong ability to build working relationships with other departments

Evidence of success in preparing clear, concise oral and written documents, presentations and briefings on complex issues for a wide range of audiences

An authentic leader who role models accountability, collaboration and transparency. And is a team player.

Displays the highest levels of professionalism, integrity and commitment

Proactive and flexible

Strong communication (both verbal and written)

Keen interest for developing others

Share and embrace World Rugby’s core values; Discipline, Respect, Integrity, Passion and Solidarity through teamwork

 

 

 

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion:

 

 

World Rugby is committed to building a diverse workforce and therefore strongly encourages applications from underrepresented groups. We are committed to equality and inclusion and welcome applications from all individuals, regardless of their background. We strive to be a diverse and inclusive workplace, which reflects the global sport we want to be and where everyone can be themselves and feel they belong.

 

 

 

Flexible Working:

 

 

Most of our roles offer hybrid working. We ask colleagues to work :

Three (3) days a week “out of home”. Two (2) “core” office days (Tuesday & Wednesday) and a third day of your choice to be with stakeholders.

“Out of home” can mean working in a World Rugby office/hub, working from a venue or face to face meetings with partners/suppliers/agencies/teammates or other rugby family stakeholders.

The remaining two (2) days are flexible to work from home (or the office)>

This applies to our Dublin & London offices.