Head of Growth

Organisation: Royal Yachting Association
Salary: £57,000 - £65,000 per annum
Location: Hamble, Southampton (hybrid working) with national travel; flexible/field-based working as required
Contract type: Permanent (Full time)
Closing date: 5 July 2026
Job Description: The Mission: Double Active Participation

We are on a mission: to double active participation in sailing and boating in 10 years. As part of the RYA’s strategy to aggressively increase participation in sailing and boating, we are seeking a dynamic and visionary Head of Growth to lead our national agenda.

You will be the driving force behind the RYA’s public-facing “More People, More Often” strategic plan. This role is about ensuring that the RYA’s support and delivery are crystal clear, prioritising and delivering measurable impact. We need a leader who can support our network to grow participant numbers, create active, lifelong habits on the water, and enable seamless progression into sustained participation and pathways.

What You Will Do:

- Support Growth: Lead the RYA’s strategic approach to participation growth across three core pillars: Active Habits, Next Generation, and the Future Ready Network.

- Galvanise the Network: Operate dynamically across our national delivery network of clubs, training centres, affiliates, regions, and partners to scale participation.

- Inspire Your Team: Be a dynamic, forward-thinking people leader with 3 direct reports, leading national growth delivery through both programme and regional structures.

- Direct Investment: Take oversight and responsibility for the strategic deployment of budgets across national programmes, regions, and Sailability.

- Collaborate and Influence: Engage powerfully with internal and external stakeholders—including affiliates, funders, RYA departments, and committees—to align resources and champion our growth agenda.

Who You Are (Essential Qualifications & Experience):

- A Proven Leader: You bring significant senior leadership experience in sport, physical activity, membership, network development, or a comparable growth-focused environment.

- A Strategic Executor: You have a track record of owning and delivering strategic plans with measurable targets, outcomes, and robust performance frameworks.

- A Matrix Manager: You are experienced in leading through multi-layered team structures, including senior managers, regional delivery teams, and specialists.

- A Portfolio Master: You have successfully overseen a broad portfolio of programmes, services, or interventions, expertly aligning resources to key priorities.

- A Network Builder: You excel at working across partners, volunteers, regions, or networked delivery systems to achieve shared, high-impact outcomes.

- Data-Driven: You know how to use insight, data, and evaluation to shape strategy, improve delivery, and tangibly demonstrate impact.

- An Inclusion Champion: You have a strong track record of delivering inclusive growth, widening participation, or drastically improving retention within a relevant context.

- Qualified & Ready: You hold a relevant degree or professional qualification (or equivalent senior leadership experience), possess a valid driving licence, and are willing to travel nationally to champion our mission.

Benefits:

The RYA offers a range of benefits which include:

- 36 days holiday including public holidays
- Birthday day off
- 10% RYA contribution to a personal pension scheme,
- Free life insurance
- Discounts platform for retail, entertainment, holidays & gym membership
- 2 volunteering days (paid)
- Free charging point for electric vehicles whilst on your working days at the office
- Social Events
- RYA Membership
- Optional Team Sailing Days
How to apply: Please visit our careers page on our website: https://www.rya.org.uk/about-us/careers/job-vacancies/head-of-growth/ Here you can view the full job description and apply for the role.