Scottish Rugby advertises Director of Rugby Development role

APPLICANTS for the role of Scottish Rugby’s Director of Rugby Development have until 10am on Monday [1st March] to submit their CV and cover letters.

Following news on 15th February that Sheila Begbie will retire from the position in the summer, Scottish Rugby has wasted no time in getting the job advert and specification posted on their own website, with Chief Executive Mark Dodson stating that he is keen to get a replacement appointed as soon as possible.

Click HERE to view the job advert.

Click HERE to view the job specification.

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After a year of lockdown, finding the right person to fill this position is absolutely vital to the future health of rugby in this country. The successful candidate will be responsible for spearheading the process of reviving the grassroots game, which is the lifeblood of the sport and should be the bedrock from which Scotland’s international and professional teams thrive.

The job reports directly to Dodson, who said during a media briefing earlier this week that:

“We’ve advertised internally and externally and will have a deadline of early March to start the interviewing process. This is something we want to get done very quickly. The person we get may have a notice period but the fact is that we’ll take the best person so that we get someone worthy of replacing Sheila because this is an important role.

“That’ll be a one-for-one replacement. It’s such a big part of our business that we need a director of community rugby, there’s no doubt about that, especially when we’re returning to rugby. Clubs across the country are facing challenges so we want to make sure we’re putting an experienced and talented executive into that sport.

Dodson added:

“I’m very sorry to lose Sheila, she’s been an outstanding colleague and a terrific manager. She just is ready to retire and I’ve asked her to stay on for a year already so I wasn’t holding much hope of getting her to stay on again. She was always going to retire at this stage but I’m sorry because she’s been a real breath of fresh air for the business. She’s popular and she’s made some fundamental changes so I’ll be sorry to see her go because she’s an excellent executive.”

The job specification identifies five “key specific leadership traits and capabilities for this role”. They are:

• Track record: operating in and a deep understanding of community sport in Scotland and managing a range of budgets

•  Stakeholder: Highly skilled in engaging and influencing a broad range of stakeholders including clubs, players, government bodies, club stakeholder groups and forums

• Personality traits: strong strategic and operational orientation, skilled communicator with gravitas, strong work ethic and a solutions driven, creative mindset.

• Technology: has the ability to be curious in understanding new developments and embracing the relevant technology and innovation

• Transformation: experienced in delivering transformation and change programmes

Many clubs across Scotland will also be hoping that the successful candidate can offer:

• Rugby: hands-on experience and understanding of Scottish rugby at all levels, with a commitment to ensuring that all strands of the game can work together to grow the sport and improve the development pathway for players of all backgrounds.

• The Offside Line’s grassroots rugby coverage is supported by Macron Store Edinburgh (Colin Campbell Sports), suppliers of Macron rugby strips and teamwear.
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