ENGLAND STUDENTS' PROGRAMME LEAD

Organisation: England Students' RFU / SRFU
Salary: Volunteer position
Location: Remote
Contract type: Volunteer
Closing date: 29 November 2026
Interview date: 7 December 2026
Job Description: England Students’ is the SRFU’s international representative programme, bringing together talented university rugby players from across England, including late developers and those
who have followed alternative routes through the game. The programme provides players with the opportunity to represent England at international level and draws participants from across the
higher education sector, including BUCS Super
Rugby institutions.
Operating alongside the RFU Player Pathway, the programme is delivered by a largely volunteer coaching and support team and has
built a strong reputation for the quality of its player experience. The programme is independently funded, with its long-term sustainability reliant on income generated through commercial partnerships, grants
and donations.

STRATEGY AND PROGRAMME DEVELOPMENT
Lead the development and delivery of a three-to-five-year strategy for the England Students' programme, covering its purpose, structure,
workforce, fixtures and sustainability.
Work with the SRFU Operations Manager and Board to translate strategic priorities into annual delivery plans, monitoring progress and
recommending changes where required. Advise the Board on future options for the programme in response to changes in funding,
volunteer capacity and the wider rugby landscape
03 WORKFORCE, WELFARE AND SUCCESSION PLANNING
Support the appointment, development and review of key volunteer roles, including the coaching, management, medical and support teams.
Promote high standards of welfare, safeguarding and duty of care for players, staff and volunteers, working closely with the SRFU Medical Lead.
Ensure appropriate succession planning and resilience arrangements are in place across key programme roles
02 PROGRAMME LEADERSHIP AND ASSURANCE
Provide strategic oversight of the England Students' programme, ensuring delivery is aligned to agreed objectives, standards, budget
and timescales.
Maintain oversight of programme activity, including selection, camps, fixtures and workforce planning, providing regular assurance and reporting to the Board
04 STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
Act as a senior point of contact for key stakeholders, including the RFU, BUCS, member universities and international rugby partners.
Build and maintain effective relationships that support player release, fixture planning, programme development and the wider interests
of England Students'
05 RISK AND GOVERNANCE
Maintain oversight of programme risks, escalating significant issues to the Board and ensuring appropriate mitigation plans are in place.
Operate within the Board's scheme of delegation and attend Board meetings, as required, to advise and report on programme matters
Why this role exists

The England Students' programme is delivered by a dedicated volunteer coaching and management team across player selection, camps, domestic fixtures and international competition. This role provides strategic oversight of the programme, acting as the link between the delivery team and the SRFU Board.

The postholder will help ensure the programme is well planned, appropriately resourced, safe and sustainable, while providing support, challenge and assurance across all areas of delivery.

Alongside oversight of current operations, the Programme Lead will lead the development and delivery of a three-to-five-year strategy for England Students'. Working with the Board and key stakeholders, the postholder will help shape the programme's future direction, ensuring it remains sustainable and capable of adapting to changes in funding, volunteer capacity and the wider rugby landscape.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
ESSENTIAL
1 Experience of leading or overseeing coaches and multidisciplinary
teams in a high-level sporting environment.
2 Experience of building a multi-year programme or performance plan
and holding others to it.
3 Ability to make and defend resourcing recommendations under
funding uncertainty, including recommending that activity be
reduced or stopped.
4 Experience of working with medical and welfare practitioners and
understanding of duty-of-care obligations to players and staff.
5 Experience of working with domestic national governing bodies and
understanding of how decisions are made within them.
6 Experience of dealing with international federations or equivalent
cross-border sporting bodies.
7 A demonstrable track record of influencing change in an
organisation where they held no direct authority.
8 Sound judgement on risk, welfare and safeguarding, and the
confidence to escalate.
DESIRABLE
1 Knowledge of the university rugby landscape, BUCS structures or
the wider UK rugby system.
2 Experience of governance in a charity, company or NGB context.
3 Experience of operating in a resource-constrained, volunteer
led environment
How to apply: For a full recruitment pack please email Elisa Blackborough e.blackborough@studentsrfu.com HOW TO APPLY Please send a CV and a short covering note of no more than one page outlining your interest in the role and the relevant experience you would bring. SEND TO e.blackborough@studentsrfu.com CLOSING DATE 29 November 2026 INTERVIEWS w/c 7 December 2026 (via MS Teams) The SRFU is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and will make reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process on request. Appointment is subject to an Enhanced DBS check and two satisfactory references.

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ENGLAND STUDENTS' PROGRAMME LEAD