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The IRFU are inviting applications for the role of Women's Senior Strategy and Project Manager.

This role will support the strategic planning and implementation of cross-functional projects which will drive the transformational agenda of the Irish women’s rugby strategy

The position is being offered on a full time, 3 year fixed term contract basis to commence early 2026. The role will be based across our two locations in 10-12 Lansdowne Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 and the IRFU High Performance Centre, in Sports Campus Ireland, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15 with also a remote working element.

The closing date for applications is Friday January 2nd, 2026.

POST TITLE: Strategy and Project Manager Women’s Rugby

ROLE SUMMARY:

Reporting to the Head of Women’s Strategy, the role will support the strategic planning and implementation of cross-functional projects which will drive the transformational agenda of the Irish women’s rugby strategy. The role will play a pivotal part in aligning the women’s game with the broader organizational goals, ensuring measurable impact across priority projects in the participation, performance, commercial and communication pillars.

REPORTING TO:

• Operationally & functionally:Head of Women’s Strategy

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:

• Head of Women’s Strategy
• Director and/or women’s lead of Performance, Domestic, Commercial or Communications project

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

1.Strategic Planning

• Support the Head of Women’s Strategy in translating the Women and Girls Rugby Strategy to action to affect accelerated change.
• Work with Head of Women’s Strategy to identify and unblock issues and identify opportunities by seeing the bigger picture and joining the dots across the whole game.
• Work with Head of Women’s Strategy and finance function to financially manage and account for all project deliverables, including oversight of the P+L to maximize ROI.
• Support the Head of Women’s Strategy and finance function on the implementation of, analysis and monitoring and evaluation of the women’s budget across all departments along with the finance team.
• Use data and insight to shape strategic decisions and identify growth opportunities.

2. Project Management

• Manage identified core priority projects focused on women and girls rugby.
• Ensure core priority current and future projects are delivered in line with best practice project management techniques appropriate to the type and scale of projects and delivering the identified business benefit.
• Actively collaborate cross departmentally to contribute to the development and delivery of the IRFU women’s strategic, growth and operational plans.

3. Stakeholder Engagement

• Support Head of Women’s Strategy as back-end support to connect internal teams (e.g., performance, marketing, commercial, comms, and participation) to deliver on strategic projects.
• Engage external partners during key projects such as clubs, leagues, government bodies, sponsors, and community organizations to support and grow the women’s game.
• Support cross-functional planning to ensure the women’s strategy is embedded across departments (e.g., performance, competitions, participation, commercial).

4. Monitoring and Reporting

• Work as back-end support to measure and track success of the women’s rugby strategy and associated projects.
• Provide regular updates, reports, and presentations to Head of Women’s Strategy and specified leadership on status of key projects.
• Provide regular financial analysis and reports to Head of Women’s Strategy and finance team on strategy implementation across core milestones.
• As directed, undertake analysis to support the development of business cases to inform the medium to long term business direction
• Ensure alignment with KPIs, funding agreements, and governance requirements.

5. Change Management and Innovation

• Support change initiatives that modernize and deliver on projects within women’s game
• Identify opportunities for innovation, investment, and improvement across participation, performance, and visibility.
• Act as a champion for equity, inclusion, and sustainability within the women and girls rugby across union departments and provinces.

PERSON SPECIFICATION:

Skills & Experience

Strategy and Project Management

• Experience in strategic planning and/or project management within sport or a related sector.
• Strong understanding of women’s sport, with passion for the growth and development of women’s rugby
• Demonstrated ability to deliver complex, multi-stakeholder projects from ideation to execution.
• Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and influencing skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Familiarity with budget management and resource planning.

Specialist knowledge

• Knowledge of factors affecting women and girl’s participation and experience in sport and broader knowledge of factors affecting them.
• Understand principles of inclusive sport

General

• Excellent communication and organizational skills
• Knowledge of MS Office and its applications

Key Competencies

• Strategic Thinking & Execution
• Project Leadership
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Communication & Influence
• Analytical Thinking & Reporting
• Change Management

The successful candidate must be eligible to live and work in Ireland.

Our benefits include:

• 22 days basic annual leave entitlement
• Employer pension contribution after 1 years service
• Family friendly policies
• Health insurance from 1st day
• Birthday leave
• Education assistance Programme
• IRFU Group Scheme – discounts from brands and retailers
• Wellness initiatives, including self care leave
• Bike to work scheme

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