Program Manager

Rugby World Cup Limited; Sydney; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work plan

Great location near Hyde Park

Wellbeing initiatives

Team culture and social events

Job summary

Rugby World Cup Australia in Sydney CBD is seeking an experienced Program Manager to join our team. Reporting to the Head of Tournament Planning, you will coordinate cross-functional plans, manage risks, and ensure milestones are delivered on schedule for the Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027.

You will own the WeTrack platform, produce executive packs, and collaborate with department heads and external partners to drive readiness and governance.

Qualifications

• 3 years experience in program, project, or business management within a complex, fast-paced environment.
• Experience working within major sporting events, tournaments, venue operations, or other large-scale event environments.
• Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills, with the confidence to influence, collaborate, and work effectively across diverse teams and personality styles.
• Exceptional organisational, coordination, and time management skills, with a meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly PowerPoint with experience creating reports, presentations, dashboards, and planning documentation.
• Highly proactive and solutions-oriented, with the ability to identify risks and issues early, recommend actions, and drive activities through to completion with minimal supervision.

Responsibilities

• Lead the coordination and tracking of tournament plans, ensuring key milestones, dependencies, risks, and issues are actively managed and reported across allocated Functional Areas.
• Own and administer the tournament program management platform (WeTrack), including stakeholder onboarding, training, data quality, and adoption across the organisation.
• Develop and deliver accurate, insightful reports, dashboards, presentations, and executive packs for senior leadership, governance forums, the Board, and other key stakeholders.
• Partner with Functional Area leads, Project Managers, and World Rugby teams to drive accountability, map dependencies, and support the successful delivery of tournament objectives.
• Facilitate program governance activities, including planning cycles, review meetings, readiness workshops, and cross-functional coordination sessions, promoting collaboration and transparency across the business.
• Take ownership of designated projects and workstreams, while supporting broader Readiness and C3 activities in preparation for tournament delivery.

Skills

Program management

Stakeholder management

Governance

Reporting

Communication

Time management

Tools

WeTrack

PowerPoint

Job description

Closing date for applications is 30th September 2026

Rugby World Cup Australia (RWCA) is proud to deliver one of the world's most iconic sporting events — Men's Rugby World Cup 2027. More than a tournament, it's a celebration of Rugby's spirit, Australia's culture, and the power of sport to unite and inspire communities around the world.

Rugby World Cup Australia is seeking an experienced Program Manager to join our team in Sydney CBD. Reporting to the Head of Tournament Planning, you will sit at the centre of the tournament program, driving integrated planning, governance, reporting, and readiness activities across the organisation. Acting as a key connector between Functional Areas (departments), you will ensure teams remain aligned, risks and dependencies are proactively managed, and critical tournament milestones are delivered on track. This is a highly visible role offering significant exposure and the opportunity to play and important role in the planning and delivery of a world-class global sporting event.

Working across a diverse stakeholder landscape, you will partner with Functional Area leads, department heads, and external delivery partners to provide clear oversight of tournament progress and performance. Your responsibilities will include managing program reporting and critical path activities, championing the use of WeTrack, producing reports and presentations, and supporting Readiness and C3 planning as the tournament approaches. This role is ideal for a highly organised, relationship-focused professional who thrives in fast-paced environments, can simplify complexity, and enjoys bringing people together to achieve shared outcomes. In return, you'll gain unparalleled exposure to major event delivery and the opportunity to leave a lasting legacy on Rugby World Cup 2027.

Key responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Lead the coordination and tracking of tournament plans, ensuring key milestones, dependencies, risks, and issues are actively managed and reported across allocated Functional Areas.
• Own and administer the tournament program management platform (WeTrack), including stakeholder onboarding, training, data quality, and adoption across the organisation.
• Develop and deliver accurate, insightful reports, dashboards, presentations, and executive packs for senior leadership, governance forums, the Board, and other key stakeholders.
• Partner with Functional Area leads, Project Managers, and World Rugby teams to drive accountability, map dependencies, and support the successful delivery of tournament objectives.
• Facilitate program governance activities, including planning cycles, review meetings, readiness workshops, and cross-functional coordination sessions, promoting collaboration and transparency across the business.
• Take ownership of designated projects and workstreams, while supporting broader Readiness and C3 activities in preparation for tournament delivery.

Qualifications & Experience

• 3 years experience in program, project, or business management within a complex, fast-paced environment, with the ability to manage competing priorities and deliver outcomes to tight deadlines.
• Experience working within major sporting events, tournaments, venue operations, or other large-scale event environments.
• Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills, with the confidence to influence, collaborate, and work effectively across diverse teams and personality styles.
• Exceptional organisational, coordination, and time management skills, with a meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly PowerPoint with experience creating reports, presentations, dashboards, and planning documentation.
• Highly proactive and solutions-oriented, with the ability to identify risks and issues early, recommend actions, and drive activities through to completion with minimal supervision.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to simplify complex information and present it clearly to a range of stakeholders and audiences.
• A positive, resilient, and delivery-focused approach, with the ability to work independently, adapt to changing priorities, and contribute effectively within a collaborative team environment.
• Flexibility to travel and work outside standard business hours ie weekends and evenings

Preferred skills/experience:

• Exposure to program and project management systems or platforms.
• Experience supporting program governance, readiness, operational planning, or cross-functional business planning activities.

We offer:

• Competitive salary: We know world-class talent deserves to be rewarded
• Hybrid game plan: Flexibility to work from home on Mondays and Fridays, with a 3 day in office schedule (Tues-Thurs), moving to full time in office in 2027 as the tournament approaches.
• Unbeatable location: A modern space across from Sydney's Hyde Park, just a 5 minute walk from Town Hall, Gadigal Metro, surrounded by great cafes, restaurants and shops.
• Wellbeing first: Weekly fresh fruit, Lunch and Learns with a focus on keeping our team feeling their best on and off the field
• Locker room ready: Showers, fresh towels, and Dyson hair tools so you can reset and refresh any time.
• Team spirit and culture: Weekly drinks and social catchups that celebrate wins big and small.
• Make your mark: Play a key role in bringing the third largest sporting event in the world to life right in Australia!

Australia's hosting of the Rugby World Cup is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to grow the game, celebrate our people and culture, and deliver lasting social and economic impact. At the heart of our mission is diversity, inclusion, and legacy ensuring Rugby's growth benefits all and inspires a new generation of players, fans, and communities. Join us in shaping an unforgettable celebration of Rugby, culture, and community.

All applicants need to be able to obtain their own unlimited working rights in Australia.

Rugby World Cup Australia is committed to building a diverse workforce and therefore strongly encourages applications from underrepresented groups. We are committed to equality and inclusion and welcome applications from all individuals, regardless of their background and are happy to provide reasonable accommodations during the recruitment process. 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.