Rugby Europe is recruiting a dynamic, inspirational Chief Executive Officer to lead and manage the organisation, and work with its various stakeholders to drive and implement its strategic objective of building, developing and growing the game of rugby across the European continent.
Building rugby together in Europe
Rugby Europe, one of World Rugby’s six Regional Associations, plays a central role in the organisation, development and growth of rugby across Europe. It has 47 Member Unions with close to three million players (nearly 40% of the global playing population) and a membership that ranges from high-performance Unions, including 15 male and 13 female teams in the top 30 of their respective world rankings, to smaller Unions at Membership level.
Rugby Europe, whose head office is in Paris, is managed by a President and a Board of Directors, elected by the Member Unions for a period of four years. Its budget for the 2025/26 season is around €4m. It currently has ten full-time paid employees, including the CEO, and it also calls on a considerable number of contracted staff and volunteers to help run its competitions and other events. Throughout the rugby season it runs nine European competitions and over 30 tournaments and holds close to 1,000 training and educations sessions for coaches, referees and medical staff.
The CEO’s task is to oversee and manage this complex organisation and to work hand in hand with its Member Unions, employees, Board of Directors and external stakeholders, both to deliver a professional and financially viable competition structure and to provide the appropriate support to the development and growth of its smaller Member Unions.
Nature and Scope of Job
- The CEO works closely with the Rugby Europe Board of Directors and reports to the President
- The CEO will lead and manage the organisation in line with the strategic and operational priorities
- The CEO’s primary responsibility and accountability is driving the strategic direction of the organisation with an open management style and within the set targets and financial budget
- The CEO must demonstrate dynamic, inspirational and transparent leadership skills and the ability to work in a complex stakeholder environment
- The CEO will work with the 47 Members of Rugby Europe and with World Rugby, 6 Nations, and other relevant rugby and sports organisations and institutions, as well as current and future commercial partners.
Key responsibilities
- Provide direction and leadership to the employees by determining and communicating clear strategic and operational objectives, and ensuring an open and transparent management and organisational structure
- Develop and implement a human resources strategy for Rugby Europe employees
- Maintain good and frequent contact with the Member Unions to ensure proper communication and coordination about expected and provided services and support
- Define, explore and build opportunities to strengthen and expand strategic, operational and financial efficiencies between Rugby Europe and stakeholders of Rugby Europe such as World Rugby, 6 Nations, EPCR, EU and other relevant institutions
- Protect and promote Rugby Europe’s core values and instil them in the daily work of the organisation and everything it delivers, with a focus on being seen as a key service provider with a collaborative approach
- Steer the four-yearly Strategic Plan process and produce, lead and execute the annual Operational Plan and Budget, ensuring alignment with the Strategic Plan
- Deliver a commercial strategy to improve revenues from established sources and ensure new revenue streams are secured
- Report on organisational and financial performance to the President, General Secretary and Board of Directors on a monthly basis
Qualifications and Experience
- Proven success at an executive level in a consumer-facing business
- Capacity to demonstrate a strong understanding of the business and politics of sport, and of how its international, national and regional governing bodies operate
- Knowledge of the world of rugby and its values: this could be as player, referee, coach or in administrative or elected functions
- Proven ability to implement a strategic vision for a business, and to drive the necessary organisational, management and cultural changes to achieve that vision
- Experience in business development and in building successful commercial and financial relationships with providers and sponsors
- Strong track record in working and succeeding in a multi-stakeholder environment
- Proven negotiating skills in both commercial and financial transactions
Skills and personal attributes
- Outstanding leadership skills: someone who demonstrates charisma and passion, and will inspire employees and Member Unions
- Politically astute and able to build trust and effective working relationships with all stakeholders
- Flexible in terms of working hours and ready to adapt to the specific requirements of the sporting season
- Able to “see the big picture” and communicate it effectively to employees and stakeholders
- Computer-literate, capable of producing high-quality presentations, skilled and experienced in public speaking
- Passionate about sport
- Fluent in English; knowledge of French would be an advantage
Additional Information
Location: Rugby Europe headquarters in Paris area. Place of residence to be discussed.
Duration: Permanent contract, date of entry to be agreed
Remuneration: Base salary 100-120 k€ plus target-related bonus
Contact person: Janhein Pieterse – president@rugbyeurope.eu
Application before December 20, 2025
To: Pavel Mysak - general.secretary@rugbyeurope.eu
Including: Motivation letter and Curriculum Vitae
