IRFU Head Of Coach Development

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, 3 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 1 page to Eoin Ward, HR Generalist at recruitment@irfu.ie. The closing date for applications is strictly Wednesday, 3^rd 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.