Deputy Venue Manager - Exeter (Women's RWC England 2025 LOC)

DFL; Exeter; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

An exciting opportunity to support the operational delivery of the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 as a Deputy Venue Manager in Exeter. This role involves collaborating with various stakeholders to ensure seamless event execution at Sandy Park. You will assist in managing daily operations, liaising with venue owners, and ensuring compliance with World Rugby's standards. Ideal candidates will have a passion for sport, strong leadership skills, and the ability to thrive under pressure. Join us in making this landmark event a success and help elevate women's rugby on a global stage.

Qualifications

• Experience in event or venue management in a leadership role.
• Proven ability to work with diverse stakeholders and build strong relationships.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Venue Manager with daily operational needs and match day.
• Ensure effective operations and communication using the C3 structure.

Skills

Event Management

Stakeholder Engagement

Communication Skills

Administrative Skills

IT Skills (MS Office)

Job description

Deputy Venue Manager - Exeter (Women’s RWC England 2025 LOC)

CONTRACT FROM 14/07/25 UNTIL 03/10/25

BASED IN EXETER

Women’s Rugby World Cup England 2025 (Women’s RWC 2025) will be the 10th edition of the women's tournament. World Rugby, in partnership with the Rugby Football Union (RFU) and UK Sport, has formed a Local Operating Company to plan and deliver the event.

The tournament aims to be a landmark event as women’s rugby is one of the fastest-growing team sports worldwide. It will feature the top players, teams, and coaches from 16 nations, making it the biggest and most-watched women’s rugby event ever. Join us in celebrating this historic moment for global rugby!

We are recruiting a Deputy Venue Manager to support the Venue Manager in the operational delivery of Sandy Park during the tournament. The Deputy will report to the Venue Manager and collaborate closely with all functional area leads and key external stakeholders at the venue and in the city. Maintaining strong relationships with the venue team and the Steering Group will be essential to ensure seamless event delivery.

Key Dates:

• 23rd and 24th June 2025 – Pre-tournament induction
• Start date: 14th July, with the first five weeks on a 5-day week basis
• From 18th August onwards, six days per week until the end of the contract

What you’ll be doing:

• Assist the Venue Manager with daily operational needs, including bump-in, match day, and bump-out.
• Liaise with venue owners, stakeholders, and adhere to Venue Hire Agreements.
• Support timely venue delivery, within budget, and in accordance with World Rugby Venue Technical Guide requirements.
• Ensure effective operations and communication using the C3 (Command, Control, and Coordination) structure.
• Act as the main contact for various departments, ensuring strong communication and prompt issue resolution. Report operational challenges to the Venue Manager.
• Engage with external suppliers and ensure their requirements are met within budget constraints.
• Collaborate with World Rugby to deliver partner requirements.
• Implement strategies for Health & Safety, Sustainability, and Accessibility as developed by World Rugby.
• Coordinate venue handover, reinstatement, and repair processes.
• Lead specific projects within the venue team during the tournament.

Experience & knowledge you’ll need:

• Experience in event or venue management in a leadership role.
• Understanding of tournament functional areas and responsibilities.
• Proven ability to work with diverse stakeholders and build strong relationships.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to produce quality reports.
• Strong administrative and IT skills, including MS Office.
• Right to work in the UK.

Nice to Haves:

• Experience delivering events in Exeter or the South West.
• Operational experience in stadia environments.
• Leadership experience in high-profile, broadcasted events.

Personal Attributes:

• Passion for sport and growing women’s rugby.
• Alignment with World Rugby’s values: Discipline, Respect, Integrity, Passion, and Solidarity.
• Positive, resilient, flexible, curious, and delivery-focused attitude.
• Ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines, and honor commitments.
• Collaborative team player with strong relationship-building skills.
• Excellent planning and organizational skills, with attention to detail.
• Logical and creative problem-solving skills, capable of navigating ambiguity.

Please note: RWC25 will oversee recruitment; onboarding and contracting will be managed by our employment partner.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion:

We are committed to building a diverse workforce and encourage applications from underrepresented groups. We value equality and inclusion, welcoming all individuals regardless of background, and aim to reflect the diversity of the global sport community.