Programme Delivery Manager - Events

Job Description

PROGRAMME AND READINESS DELIVERY MANAGER

World Rugby is the world governing and law-making body for the sport of Rugby Union based in Dublin and London. In addition to its governance functions, World Rugby organises a number of international tournaments and events including the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025, Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027, U20s Championship, WXV competition, World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup, and the annual HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series.

OVERVIEW

The Events Division of WREM (World Rugby Events and Media) is looking for a Programme and Readiness Delivery Manager on a fixed-term maternity cover contract.

Reporting to the Director of Events Planning, the Programme and Readiness Delivery Manager will be responsible for the programme management of a number of Functional Areas, driving integration and integrated planning and supporting the delivery of the readiness programmes for tournaments.

MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES

Programme Management & Delivery

Manage the activity for allocated programmes of work, building strong relationships and effectively managing both internal and external stakeholders. Ensuring project and functional area (FA) milestones, risks and issues are identified, added to project management tool (WeTrack) and reviewed on an ongoing basis. The PDM will be responsible for creating, managing and monitoring reports as required by individual FAs, Department, Divisions and any central reports related to Tournament status or wider World Rugby risk and business planning. In addition, this role will provide support rolling out new reporting approach using data visualisation system Domo.

Events Planning Integration

Act as the primary conduit across allocated projects and FAs, ensuring Events and Media’s programme management principles are followed to ensure timely delivery against milestones and accurate management and reporting of risks and issues. Working alongside other PDRMs to ensure dependencies are mapped and all FAs are aware of other key milestones expected of them. Promote collaboration and transparency amongst FAs, Departments and Divisions by acting as an agent of change to promote the Events and Media ways of working and help overcome barriers and obstacles to ensure successful problem resolution and project delivery.

Planning, Support and Delivery of Readiness Programmes

Provide planning, support and delivery for event/tournament readiness programmes with both WREM, LOCs, Event Delivery Partners and external exercises as required. To include, but not limited to:

• Supporting use of the central Readiness library and associated materials
• Identifying risks to form the foundation of readiness exercises and readiness reviews, and support in the drafting and shaping of scenarios.
• Supporting the planning, coordination, facilitation and delivery of readiness exercises including post-exercise outcomes

Divisional Business Activity

Manage divisional business activity, including but not limited to performance reporting and monitoring risks owned within the division.

Special Project Delivery

Lead and coordinate specific project activity as required. This may include overseeing long term project cycles along with short term specific projects within FAs, Departments or Divisions.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Proven track record of successfully managing and delivering multiple projects independently through all phases of the project lifecycle, from inception through to delivery, ideally in the sport events landscape or equivalent.
• Strong project planning experience and the ability to manage effectively within scope, timelines, budget.
• Proven experience of added value programme management.
• Demonstrable experience of operating in a multi-stakeholder environment, capable of managing and synthesising varied perspectives.
• Capable of operating in an environment with immovable timelines, with ambiguity and ongoing change and development.
• Experience dealing with budgets, purchase order systems, project management tools and external service providers.
• Experience using Domo (or similar BI reporting tools) and WeTrack project management and reporting tools is preferable.

COMPETENCIES (KEY SKILLS & PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES)

• High level of interpersonal skills and ability to build strong working relationships.
• Excellent time management, prioritisation, planning and organisational skills.
• Highly proficient MS Office skills in Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint plus project planning software.
• Able to quickly adapt to new technology systems, learning how to use software and educate team members on best practice.
• Able to manage several tasks and projects at any one time particularly during high pressure periods.
• Strong proactive issue resolution capability.
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Proactive and able to work independently, identifying potential issues upstream and recommending or taking action.
• Skilled at upwards management.
• A positive, ‘can-do’ attitude; someone who is resilient, flexible, curious, and delivery focused.
• Adept at working under pressure in a fast-paced environment, delivering work to deadlines and honouring commitments.
• Share and embrace World Rugby’s core values; Discipline, respect, integrity, passion and solidarity through teamwork and World Rugby Events and Media Ways of Working promoting Accountability, Collaboration and Transparency.

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 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.

Important information:

Please note that the recruitment process for this position is being managed by JLB Search, led by Georgie Saunders. By applying, you consent to sharing your information with JLB.

Due to the volume of applications, we will only be able to respond to people with the relevant skill sets.