JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Rugby Development Officer

Contractual status: Full time, 37.5 hours per week (Permanent)
Salary range: £26,088
Location: Carrington Training Centre, with expected travel across Greater Manchester & North West
Reporting to: Rugby Development Manager
Closing date: Friday 3rd July 2026 (Please be advised that the application deadline may close earlier than stated if we receive a sufficient number of applications)
Interview date: Friday 10th July 2026

About Sale Sharks Foundation

Sale Sharks Foundation is the official charity of Sale Sharks Rugby Club. Our purpose is to Level the Field for communities across the North West, using the power of rugby to improve health, reduce inequalities, and create a sense of belonging.

Established in 2010, we deliver high-quality, community-focused programmes across community inclusion, education and rugby development. Last year, we engaged over 21,000 people, supporting children, young people, and adults of all ages and abilities -particularly those facing the greatest barriers to opportunity.

Our Levelling the Field Strategyfocuses on tackling key challenges across the North West, including health inequalities, social isolation, and access to education, employment and sport. We are especially committed to supporting women and girls, disabled people, and those facing poverty and young people from underserved communities.

Our passionate and dedicated team delivers more than 30 programmes each year, working closely with schools, community organisations, and local partners to create positive, lasting change.

By joining our team, you’ll play a direct role in delivering this impact on the ground - helping to create inclusive opportunities and experiences that make a real difference in people’s lives.

JOB SUMMARY

Sale Sharks Foundation is seeking a motivated and enthusiastic Rugby Development Officer to play a key role in delivering inclusive programmes across our Rugby Development work.

This is a hands-on role focused on delivering engaging, high-quality sessions for people across multiple different schools, community settings, and targeted programmes. You will take ownership of programmes allocated to you, such as Project Rugby, Girls Tackle Rugby, Player Pathways, Match Days, Rugby Development Camps and Residential Camps.

Alongside delivery, you will play an active role in building and maintaining relationships with schools, partners, Sale Sharks, England Rugby and community organisations - coordinating sessions, supporting engagement, and helping to grow participation across our programmes.

This is a varied role that blends delivery, organisation, and relationship-building, making it ideal for someone passionate about sport, physical activity and making a difference in the community.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Delivery

Design and deliver high quality rugby sessions, across all forms of the sport and to all experience levels.
Support delivery for a range of groups including a range of people from complete novice players to aspirational and experienced young people.
Assist with the delivery of wider Foundation programmes, including community inclusion programmes where required.
Work with the Rugby Development Manager to deliver a structured termly programme across programmes.
Ensure sessions are safe, engaging, and adapted to meet the needs of participants.

Partnerships & Engagement

Build and maintain positive relationships with schools, colleges, Sale Sharks, England Rugby and community partners to support programme delivery.
Take ownership of liaising with school and key stakeholders, including proactively organising, scheduling and confirming delivery ensuring programmes run smoothly and consistently.
Support the development of new partnerships by reaching out to schools and organisations to introduce and promote Foundation programmes.
Act as a key day-to-day contact for partner schools and key stakeholders, ensuring good communication and a high-quality experience.
Identify opportunities to engage new participants and expand programme reach.
Represent the Foundation professionally in all community and partner settings.

Monitoring & Evaluating

Maintain accurate registers and session data, ensuring timely input into our digital monitoring platform Upshot and internal systems.
Support the collection of participant feedback, case studies, and impact data, including working with the Communications Manager to capture photos and video content that showcase programme delivery.
Contribute to reporting requirements where required.
Work towards agreed targets and programme outcomes.

Programme Development

Contribute and implement ideas to improve and develop Rugby Development programmes.
Deliver awareness events and community engagement opportunities, including matchdays.
Lead the planning and organisation of key events and festivals related to your delivery, such as Project Rugby festivals.
Work with the Marketing & Communications Manager to support the creation and distribution of marketing materials, including flyers, posters, and social media content to promote programmes and events.
Take a proactive approach to learning and development within the role.

General

Ensure all non-delivery tasks are completed thoroughly, accurately and within deadlines.
Support the wider team as needed across Foundation programmes.
Uphold safeguarding, health & safety, and all Foundation policies at all times.

It is expected that the role at times, will include working evenings and weekends, including match days. This will always be agreed in advance with time off in lieu offered.

This job description is not necessarily an exhaustive list of duties but is intended to reflect the range of duties the post-holder will perform. The job description will be reviewed regularly and may be changed in the light of experience and in consultation with the post-holder.

It is key to this role that candidates:

· Promote the Sale Sharks Foundation and Sale Sharks brand and values in a professional, strong, and positive manner.

· To be able to work flexible and unsociable hours where the role of the job requires.

· Be committed to applying and promoting equality, diversity and inclusion as Sale Sharks Foundation and comply with all Charity policies and procedures.

· Act in line with the Foundations code of conduct always showing professionalism in all environments we work across, acting as role models for our community.

Continuously evaluates the success and standards of their work and that of others, through rigorous self and departmental reflection and analysis. This includes creating a CPD plan and working towards agreed PDR objectives.

Benefits

Staff Benefits:
25 days annual leave pro-rata (3 to be taken between Christmas and New Year), with additional leave after 3 and 5 years of service.
£240 per year (Pro-rata, claimed monthly) wellbeing benefit.
3% Pension contribution.
2 free tickets per game (Men’s & Women’s).
Kit provided
20% discount on the staff shop.
Access to Sale Sharks High Performance Gym after 4pm.
Opportunity to buy into Sale Shark performance meal prep on site.
Flexible working (where possible around delivery needs).
Dogs allowed in the office/outdoor kennels (behaviour permitting).
Free tea & coffee in the office.
Free onsite parking.
Health insurance through Vitality, including access to the Headspace app, discounted gym memberships, free weekly coffee and film rental, health checks, employee assistance, and discounts on health and wellbeing products (upon successful completion of probation period).
Annual reward and recognition awards.
Access to e-learning platform.
Bi-annual all staff training days & Foundation socials.
Other CPD opportunities throughout the year.

Notes

TO APPLY
To apply, please upload your CV, covering letter and completed Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Form (available to download on the portal or our webpage) via our online recruitment portal.

If you are experiencing any problems with applying online or would like to get in touch to speak to someone about the role, please contact foundation.hr@salesharks.com.
All applicants must already have the legal right to work in the UK. We are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.
Sale Sharks Foundation is an equal opportunities employer and encourages applications from all sections of the community. The successful candidate will undergo an enhanced DBS check to work with children and adults at risk and employment will only be offered the role if a clear check and suitable references are received back.
Unfortunately, we are unable to offer feedback on individual applications.
Please note only candidates selected for interview will be notified. If you’ve not heard from us within 3 weeks unfortunately you have been unsuccessful this time.

Attached documents

Title	File
Rugby Development Officer Job Description	Rugby_Development_Officer_-_JD.docx
Impact report 2024/25	Sharks_Watch_2024-2025_-_Digital_Version.pdf
EDI Monitoring Form	EDI-monitoring-form-branded_.docx

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