Executive Director, Domestic Rugby

Role Objectives

• Responsible for leading the strategic direction of HKCR Domestic Rugby. The role is crucial in ensuring all domestic, community and participation programmes are aligned with HKCR Strategic Objectives.
• The post holder will be an outstanding leader in developing and implementing growth and development strategies at the domestic and community levels in rugby.
• The Executive Director, Domestic Rugby will have management oversight for the effective operational delivery of all relevant domestic leagues and competitions.

Role Purpose

• Work collaboratively with the Executive Director, Performance and Representative Rugby to align domestic rugby initiatives with representative pathway initiatives, including delivery of the HKCR Premiership as a performance league and development of a domestic pathway program for boys and girls minis and youth players.
• Lead the development of an integrated framework for Domestic Rugby in HK including mini, youth and senior clubs at all levels and including the premiership.
• Development of a sustainable domestic club structure addressing player needs across all age grades and senior rugby performance levels (participation and performance).
• Development of a sustainable commercial model for club rugby, including the Premiership.
• Oversight of Domestic Rugby operations including management responsibility for rules and regulations approved by the PGB, scheduling, match day operations, and development of an enhanced fan experience at HKCR run grounds.
• Lead HKCR's domestic relationships with all key external stakeholders including sponsors, partners, and all relevant HKSAR Government Departments and initiatives (role may also require some contact with Asia Rugby and World Rugby).
• Develop collaborative relationships with Domestic Rugby stakeholders, including all Community Clubs, men's and women's Premiership Clubs, Schools, Universities and charities.
• Develop a professional, highly motivated departmental team to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of HKCR Domestic, Community and Participation Programmes.
• Draft (alongside the Executive Director, Finance), monitor and manage the annual department budget.
• Work closely with the Executive Director, Rugby For Good to ensure optimal collaboration and synergies between HKCR and the Charitable Foundation.

Key Result Areas

• Line Management of 'General Manager' and functional heads within the domestic and community rugby team.
• Support and challenge senior department staff to monitor and optimise their effectiveness in delivering excellent programmes.
• Collaborate with partners to build, maintain and develop positive and constructive strategic relationships that drive the development of the HKCR Domestic, Community and Participation Programmes and sustain success through future seasons.
• Provide effective leadership to the Domestic Rugby team (people, finances, processes) to support the strategic needs of each programme.
• Lead collaborative partnerships with men's and women's domestic rugby clubs.
• Contribute to the effective leadership of the organisation as a member of the Senior Leadership Team; working with colleagues across the organisation to identify and deliver ways of improving HKCR's effectiveness.
• Provide expert advice and reporting directly to the CEO and advising the Chair and Board on all domestic and community rugby matters.
• Inform the development of – and be responsible for the delivery of – HKCR's programme-related Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
• Quality assurance of club development, game development, domestic facilities management, schools and tertiary delivery.
• Act as a media spokesperson on domestic and community rugby matters.

Key Deliverables

• Preparation of a holistic framework covering all aspects of domestic competitions and pathways including mini, youth, schools, community and premiership rugby.
• Delivery of the Regional Hub Pilot, ensuring all resourcing, operations and associated provision are delivered in budget and by agreed deadlines.
• To increase rugby participation, engagement, and fan viewership of HKCR population.
• Generate appropriate increase in registered participants participating in the playing pathway.
• Delivery of equal gender recruitment efforts to change the gender split to 60:40 by 2027 across all ages.
• Oversee the delivery of appropriate Rugby Sevens events for HKSSF and USF for boys and girls.
• Manage the introduction of Rugby into local school PE Curriculum, achieving appropriate annual targets.
• Ensuring GBA clubs, local schools and universities become integrated into domestic club community.

Long Term Objectives / KPI's Associated with the Role

• Participation, engagement, and fan viewership of HKCR population to increase by >10% annual increase from 2024/25 to 2028/29 season through a vibrant rugby community built around Regional Hubs.
• Generate 15,000 registered participants participating in the playing pathway and target equal gender recruitment efforts to change the gender split to 60:40 by 2027 across all ages.
• Rugby Sevens to be ranked in the top 3 team sports by participation for both HKSSF and USF for boys and girls by 2027.
• Rugby introduced to local school PE Curriculum by 2027 and GBA clubs, local schools and universities integrated into domestic club community.

Job Specifications and Technical Competencies

• Educated to Degree level, with Master's Degree or equivalent professional qualifications.
• Outstanding leader in developing and implementing growth and development strategies and projects at the domestic and community levels in rugby.
• Experience of working with a wide range of stakeholders whilst leading the design, implementation and evaluation of domestic rugby programmes.
• Advanced knowledge and experience of developing and enhancing domestic rugby systems and structures.
• Experience of working at Executive / Senior Management levels in Sport Administration.
• Experience and evidence of developing and implementing change strategies that contribute to rugby development.
• Experience of – or a willingness and aptitude for – being a media spokesperson.
• Experience in supervising at least a team of 30 staff.

Benefits and additional information

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience and qualifications, offering growth potential.
• Company health insurance policy.
• Opportunity to work in a collaborative and dynamic environment, contributing to the growth and success of the organisation.
• Internal Contacts: All HKCR Departments; HKCR CEO; HKCR SLT: HKCR Board of Directors; Direct reports.
• External Contacts: World Rugby; Asia Rugby; Domestic Rugby Clubs; Club Chairs; Club and Game Volunteers; Club General Managers; SF&OC; LCSD; HKSI; Part-Time/Freelance Employees; Rugby For Good; Laureus; ChildFund; Hong Kong Jockey Club.
• Working Environment: Irregular hours incl. weekends and public holidays, with extended hours during peak rugby season.

Please apply with a full C.V. detailing your last salary, expected salary and available date of commencement if you were offered the position to:

Human Resources Department, Hong Kong China Rugby, Room 2001, Olympic House, 1 Stadium Path, So Kon Po, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong or by email to hr@hkrugby.com on or before Wednesday April 30th

For more information on this role, please contact James Farndon, Chief Executive Officer of Hong Kong China Rugby, directly on Apply Now

Personal data collected will be used for recruitment purposes only.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted directly.