Coach Developer

Working at the RFU means being part of the ‘bigger picture’ at England Rugby: to be rooted in our purpose, which is to enrich lives, introduce more people to rugby union & develop the sport for future generations. If our purpose resonates with you, and you recognise the value that sport can bring to people’s lives, we’d love to work with you. An opportunity has arisen for a Coach Developer to join our Game Development team on a fixed term basis.

Job Title : Coach Developer

Department : Rugby Development

Reports to : Area Training Manager

Direct report(s) : N/A

Salary Banding: c. £30,000 per annum

Job Level : Implement

Location : Homebased – Lancashire

Travel Requirements : Extensive travel to fulfil role needs. This includes travel to clubs, schools, colleges, universities within geographic location to deliver training and mentor coaches, and travel to meetings as required.

Employment Type : Fixed Term Contract (Maternity Cover: Oct 2026 – Jan 2028)

Working Hours : This is a full-time role, covering 35hrs per week on any five out of the seven days of the week (from Monday to Sunday inclusive). This role will require you to regularly work evenings and weekends to mentor and train rugby coaches. You should expect to work two evenings per week and at least one day per weekend during peak periods of the year. 

Application Information:

• Please submit an anonymised CV (i.e. remove personal details). You do not need to submit a cover letter.


• Vacancy closing date: Friday 14th August at 12:00 noon


• Interviews are anticipated to be on 19th August 2026, and will be held at Sedgley Park RUFC

Everyone involved in rugby union in England is in a fortunate position to enrich lives and ensure rugby continues to thrive at every level across the country. As a National Governing Body, the RFU has a responsibility to set a high standard for inclusion, fairness and equality of opportunity. This role supports the plan to create a community of talented coaches across the game at all levels, the role holder will provide 1:1 and small group support for coaches in their own club, school, college or university. They will deliver coach education and development courses and manage communities of practice for coaches, playing a key role in improving the diversity of all facets of the game and creating an inclusive environment for all.

We are looking for a Coach Developer to join our Game Development team to inspire and develop coaches to provide high quality experiences for players, keeping them playing for longer to support our goal to recruit 50,000 new players by 2030.

Key responsibilities include:

• Working under the direction of the Area Training Manager to mentor coaches remotely and in their own coaching environment, including coaches operating in the talent pathway and those completing the England Rugby Advanced Coaching Award.


• Provide initial coach education through the delivery of England Rugby training courses for coaches.


• Provide ongoing coach development through the delivery of an agreed local programme of Continuous Coach Development courses.


• Lead online communities of practice for coaches.


• Improve inclusivity, opportunities, reduce discrimination and increase the numbers of rugby union coaches amongst women & girls, ethnically diverse communities, low socio-economic groups, young people and LGBT communities.


• Work with the Coach Development team to develop high-quality training content.


• Actively keep up to date with changes in the industry and develop subject matter knowledge through participating in relevant training, networks and other such forums.


• Produce succinct, relevant & agreed reports on progress against all key objectives in the
  
  job holder’s area of responsibility.


• Maintain high professional standards and ensure these are promoted in the community


• Act as an ambassador for, and promote the best interests of the RFU at all times, including the promotion of the RFU Core Values


• 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 RFU


• Actively collaborate with colleagues to contribute to the development and delivery of the current strategic, business and operational plans.


• Act as an ambassador for, and promote the best interests of the RFU, including the promotion of our culture and core values – This Rose Means Everyone: Put The Team First, Shape The Future, Respect Each Other.


• Undertake other duties as may be required from time to time as are consistent with the responsibilities of the post and the needs of the organisation.

Qualifications, Skills & Experience:

The skills and attributes outlined in this description are not exhaustive and we welcome candidates who can bring different relevant experiences to the role.

• Be a role model for effective coaching practice


• Accelerate the learning of coaches


• Communicate effectively with individuals and groups


• Adopt a learner-centred approach to facilitation


• Select and use a range of delivery styles and methods to optimise learning


• Set, lead and review micro-coach sessions


• Plan and evaluate coach development sessions to optimise learning


• Conduct coach assessments


• Facilitate communities of practice


• Mentor coaches


• Assess, self-reflect and develop their own practice


• Be prepared to take on roles outside their normal functional responsibility when required


• Be IT literate and competent in the use of Microsoft Office Applications and online learning platforms


• Committed to actively contributing and building an inclusive culture in your role and day to day behaviours.


• Demonstrable experience of developing coaches through formal/informal training and mentoring, ideally within rugby union.


• A qualified sports coach/coach developer or can demonstrate they have the potential to achieve the England Rugby Advanced Coaching Award (Level 3 Coaching).


• Holds a mentoring qualification or can demonstrate they have the potential to achieve a mentoring qualification.


• Committed to embodying the ethos our culture by using our three core values – Put The Team First, Shape The Future, Respect Each Other – to guide your day-to-day decisions, actions and interactions.


• Committed to actively contributing and building an inclusive culture in your role and day to day behaviours.


• Current Driving Licence with no more than six points.

Additional Information:

• We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability and potential. If there is anything we could do to support you through your application or to provide the best environment for your interviews, including assistance or adjustment, please reach out to recruitment. 


• During your application, we will ask questions about your identity. This information is considered highly confidential and will not be seen by hiring managers. You can find out more about why we ask these questions here.


• If you are a trans candidate applying for a job that requires a DBS check, please reach out to [email protected] or directly to our safeguarding team ([email protected]) to use the confidential sensitive application route. This will provide applicants with the choice not to have any gender or name information disclosed on their DBS certificate. 


• This role will require a DBS check.