The IRFU are inviting applications for the position of Head of Coach Development. Reporting to the Director of Rugby Development, the Head of Coach Development is a new role within the IRFU’s Rugby Department, working to implement the Union’s national strategy for development.

The Head of Coach Development will have overall responsibility for establishing and maintaining a world-class programme for the education and development of rugby coaches at all levels within Ireland, from grassroots community to performance.
 
For a full job description, please see below.
 
This position is being offered on a full-time, three year fixed-term contract basis. This position is based at the IRFU’s Dublin office but will also involve travel within Ireland and overseas. To apply, please email your CV and a cover letter of no more than one page to Eoin Ward, HR Generalist at recruitment@irfu.ie. The closing date for applications is strictly Wednesday, 3rd August 2016 at 17:00.

The IRFU are an equal opportunities employer
 
 
JOB DESCRIPTION
 
The Head of Coach Development will have overall responsibility for establishing and maintaining a world-class programme for the education and development of rugby coaches at all levels within Ireland, from grassroots community to performance.
 
In particular, the appointee will have responsibility for:

  • Setting and delivering a strategy to ensure that there is a sufficient number of qualified and active coaches within Ireland, appropriate to the needs of the game being played at different levels
  • Overseeing and quality-assuring the content of coach education courses and initiatives across Stages 1 to 5 of the Long Term Player Development pathway
  • Ensuring the dissemination of rugby-specific technical knowledge and expertise across the IRFU and Branch workforce, both professional and volunteer, such as is appropriate to the needs of each individual postholder
  • Ensuring that the IRFU’s coach education and development programme remains up-to-date and cutting-edge, through maintaining awareness of and insight into world’s best practice within and outside rugby

The Head of Coach Development will be an energetic and inspirational individual with a strong strategic vision, and an ability to motivate others both within and outside of the IRFU; to generate solutions and opportunities for enhancement of the current coach development offering; and to establish positive relationships with external agencies and providers. Given the technical requirements within the role, the postholder will have leadership and technical experience equivalent to Stage 5 within the coaching pathway (i.e., at elite or professional level), as well as an excellent track record in education and/or workforce development.
 
The role will be based at the IRFU’s Dublin office, but will also involve travel within Ireland and overseas.
 
 
REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS:
 
Operationally & Functionally:           Director of Rugby Development
 
   
MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES:
 
Training Manager
4 x Branch-based Coach Development Officers
Coaching & Resource Coordinator
 
 
KEY QUALITIES:
 
Qualifications and Experience:

  • High-level technical knowledge of rugby, both playing and coaching
  • Experience of working as a coach at Stage 5 (or equivalent), i.e., in professional and/or elite rugby
  • Proven experience and success within education or workforce development
  • Experience of successfully managing diverse teams in pursuit of agreed goals
  • Experience of working successfully within a volunteer-driven organization
  • Experience of working with a diverse range of stakeholders, including the public sector
  • Proven success at building excellent working relationships

 
Skills and Personal Attributes:

  • Willing to take ownership of delegated responsibility, and be held accountable for decisions and delivery
  • Clear thinker, displays sound and rational operational judgement
  • Positive influencer, with strong negotiating skills both upwards and downwards within an organization
  • Collaborative worker with a desire to get the best out of colleagues and teams
  • Constantly challenging to self and others, pursuing improvement in structures, systems and processes
  • Excellent interpersonal skills in all directions, within and outside the organization and at all operational levels
  • Excellent communicator (written and verbal) with an ability to communicate complex and technical information effectively with a diverse range of people
  • Able to present a highly professional image when representing the IRFU
  • Commands the respect of others, and is seen as someone of integrity, sincerity and in whom others place their trust

 
 
RESPONSIBILITIES
 

  • To assume delegated responsibility under the IRFU’s national strategy for the establishment and delivery of the Union’s coaching strategy, to ensure that there is a sufficient number of qualified and active coaches within Ireland, appropriate to the needs of the game being played at different levels;
  • Overall, to demonstrate technical leadership for rugby within the IRFU, and to promote high technical standards within all rugby programmes;
  • To institute and apply measures through which the progress and success of the Union’s coaching strategy can be assessed on an ongoing, periodic basis, and to report on these as required;
  • To ensure that the coach education and development programme delivered by the IRFU has content and a curriculum which reflects the Long Term Player Development pathway model, and is cognizant of world’s best practice both within and outside rugby;
  • To ensure that the delivery framework for the coach education and development programme meets the needs of the game at all levels, and is fully accessible to current and potential practitioners;
  • Work with the Performance Director to implement a system that enables the IRFU to identify, mentor and develop elite coaches and support staff within the Elite Pathway – including but not limited to the coaches within the Academy and supporting Age Grade National Teams (i.e., Under-18s/20s);
  • To identify and develop new ways of disseminating coach education/development information, including through the best use of e-learning, digital and other appropriate technology;
  • To investigate the merits of establishing a Rugby Coaches’ Association within Ireland, and to implement the findings of such investigation;
  • To ensure that the IRFU’s rugby workforce is continually developed in terms of its technical rugby knowledge, through training, the dissemination of information, and other appropriate means;
  • To line-manage national personnel who are deployed to deliver coach education and development initiatives, and to ensure their alignment with national strategy;
  • To liaise with IRFU and Branch colleagues concerned with delivering initiatives for the development of the game at all levels, to ensure that these are supported by appropriate and high-quality coaching;
  • To liaise with the appropriate agencies regarding the alignment of the IRFU’s coach accreditation system with Government and other national standards for workforce development;
  • To act as an ambassador for, and promote the best interests of, the IRFU at all times and ensure that the core values of game are upheld;
  • To undertake such other duties as may be required from time to time as are consistent with the responsibilities of the post and the needs of the IRFU.