Chief Executive Officer

The Rugby Football League; Manchester; On-site; GBP 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

A major sporting organization is seeking a skilled Group Chief Executive Officer to provide strategic leadership across its group. The role involves ensuring sustainable growth and commercial success while shaping the future of Rugby League in England. Candidates should possess a strong background in leadership within complex settings, ideally in sport or regulated environments, alongside exceptional strategic and governance skills. This influential position offers a chance to make a long-term impact on the sport.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a CEO or senior executive in a complex organization.
• Strong track record of balancing governance and commercial ambition.
• Ability to operate confidently in high-profile environments.

Responsibilities

• Provide unified strategic leadership across the Rugby Football League Group.
• Ensure sustainable growth, integrity, and commercial success.
• Shape the future of Rugby League in England.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Commercial acumen

Governance

Inclusion

Job description

McBride Sport is proud to be supporting the Rugby Football League (RFL) in the appointment of its next Group Chief Executive Officer – a rare and influential leadership role at the heart of one of England’s most historic and community-driven sports. The Group CEO will provide unified strategic leadership across the Rugby Football League Group, encompassing both the National Governing Body for Rugby League in England and Rugby League Commercial, its revenue-generating arm. This role is central to ensuring the sustainable growth, integrity, commercial success, and cultural leadership of Rugby League at all levels of the game.

This role will suit a highly credible, values-led leader with proven experience as a CEO or senior executive in a complex organisation, ideally within sport, media, entertainment, or a regulated environment, a strong track record of balancing governance, regulation, and commercial ambition and outstanding strategic, commercial acumen. If you have the gravitas to operate confidently in high-profile, politically complex environments with a deep commitment to integrity, inclusion, and the long-term health of the sport we would like to hear from you.

This is a defining leadership role with the opportunity to shape the future of Rugby League in England, ensuring it thrives both on and off the field for generations to come. For a confidential discussion or a copy of the candidate information pack, please contact Neil Edwards at McBride Sport - [e-mail]