Community Engagement Manager – Champ Rugby

Sportanddev; Twickenham; Hybrid; GBP 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading sports organization is seeking a Community Engagement Manager to lead inclusive programs that connect Champ Rugby clubs with their communities. This full-time role requires engagement with local organizations and schools, managing initiatives that reflect community needs while enhancing rugby participation. The position supports a hybrid work model, emphasizing collaboration with teams across various locations and the office at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in community engagement and participation development.
• Knowledge of inclusive practice and I&D strategy implementation.
• Experience supporting funding applications or managing partnership grants.

Responsibilities

• Deliver and evolve the rollout of Champ Rugby's community strategy.
• Facilitate partnerships with schools and grassroots organizations.
• Track delivery progress and provide reports to the Champ Rugby Board.

Skills

Community engagement

Partnership building

Communication

Organization

Inclusion-focused delivery

Understanding of grassroots sport

Education

Qualification in community development, sport development, education, or related fields

Job description

Community Engagement Manager – Champ Rugby

The Community Engagement Lead is responsible for delivering inclusive engagement programmes that connect Champ Rugby clubs with their communities.

Department : Champ Rugby
Reports to : Head of Champ Rugby – Solid line, RFU Player Experience Director – Dotted line
Salary Banding : £45,000 per annum plus benefits
Job Level : Guide
Location : Hybrid working, based at the employee’s home and Championship rugby clubs. The employee is required to attend the office (Allianz Stadium) for specific collaboration, training, or meetings as well as events and should make themselves available where required.
Employment Type : Fixed Term Contract to 30 June 2028
Working Hours : This is a full-time role, covering 35 hrs per week

Application Information:

• Please submit an anonymised CV and cover letter (i.e. please exclude personal details).
• The closing date for applications is Sunday 15th June at 9pm.
• Applications may be considered as they're received.

The Role:

The Community Engagement Lead is responsible for delivering inclusive, impactful engagement programmes that connect Champ Rugby clubs with their local communities. This role will lead the design, rollout, and evaluation of initiatives across education, grassroots, inclusion, and outreach settings.

As a key part of the Champ Rugby central team, the role supports clubs in embedding meaningful local engagement while helping the league contribute to wider RFU participation and community development objectives. This includes supporting grant access, measuring participation growth, and championing I&D delivery.

About Champ Rugby:

The role holder will be joining a newly formed group of passionate individuals who want to play an instrumental role in the growth of English rugby’s second tier, and to see the league and its clubs thrive in the years ahead. The Champ Rugby team will be led by the Head of Champ Rugby, who reports directly into Tier 2’s Board Chair, and the team will also include a Marketing & Communications Manager, and a Content Editor. The roles will also be supported by the RFU’s marketing, communications, events and competitions teams, and others, particularly as this new team establishes itself. The Champ Rugby team will be working in a hybrid setting, based at their homes and Championship rugby clubs with travel required for meetings/training as needed. The team also has access to office space at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, as an option for those who prefer more regular office-based work.

You can find out more about the league here and here .

Some key responsibilities include:

• Deliver and evolve the rollout of Champ Rugby's community strategy, ensuring relevance to local needs and RFU goals.
• Facilitate partnerships with schools, charities, and grassroots organisations.
• Design and deliver D&I programmes that reflect community representation.
• Provide clubs with templates, case studies, and measurement tools to report on community impact.
• Track delivery progress and provide bi-annual reports to the Champ Rugby Board and RFU.
• Represent Champ Rugby in relevant RFU inclusion and grassroots development working groups.
• 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.

• Proven experience in community engagement, participation development, or inclusion-focused delivery.
• Strong understanding of grassroots sport and/or education outreach environments.
• Demonstrated ability to build long-term partnerships with community and third-sector organisations.
• Knowledge of inclusive practice and I&D strategy implementation.
• Experience supporting funding applications or managing partnership grants.
• Confident communicator, able to engage diverse audiences including schools, clubs, and local authorities.
• Highly organised, self-motivated, and delivery-focused
• 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.
• Previous work with or within a rugby, sports club, or NGB environment.
• Understanding of safeguarding principles and protocols.
• Familiarity with grant funders and third-sector funding mechanisms.
• Experience managing community impact measurement or social value reporting tools.
• Qualification in community development, sport development, education, or related fields.

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 [e-mail] .
• 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 questionshere .
• This role will require a DBS check.

Please download the job description here for full details of this role.*

* We recommend keeping a copy of the JD to hand as you may wish to revisit the role requirements in the event you are invited to interview.