The Competitions Manager is responsible for leading the planning, delivery, and continuous improvement of Rugby Victoria’s competitions. This includes overseeing the all-club competition rugby in Victoria. This includes senior (Dewar and Ward Shield, Colts, Women’s, and other senior formats) Junior (U11–U18) and non-competitive development programs (U4–U10). The competitions Managers key role is ensuring competitions are safe, well-organised, inclusive, and aligned with Rugby Victoria’s strategic goals for participation and development.

Key Responsibilities

Competition Oversight

• Lead the administration and delivery of all senior rugby competitions across Victoria.
• Manage competition structures, draws, fixtures, and finals series.
• Ensure compliance with Rugby Australia’s competition policies and regulations.
• Oversee disciplinary processes and match-day operations.
• Manage weekly match reporting and compliance with competition rules.
• Analyse and provide insights into registration data and competition management trends.
• Oversee player dispensations processes, including review of final dispensation

Strategic Development

• Contribute to the strategic review and evolution of club competitions, including format changes and expansion opportunities.

• Collaborate with clubs and stakeholders to ensure competitions meet community needs and support player development.
• Align competition planning with Rugby Victoria’s Strategic Plan and national initiatives.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as the primary liaison for senior clubs, referees, and competition committees.
• Facilitate regular forums and feedback sessions with club representatives.
• Communicate clearly and consistently with all stakeholders regarding competition matters.
• Coordinate with other departments including pathways, integrity, and development to ensure integrated delivery.

Other Key Responsibilities

• Support delivery of “Get Into Rugby” (U4–U7) and “Pathways” (U8–U10) programs.
• Collaborate with the Participation team to ensure these programs are engaging, safe, and developmentally appropriate.
• Promote fun, inclusive environments that encourage long-term involvement in rugby.

Pre-requisites

• Working with Children Check and Police Check
• Minimum of 8 years’ experience in sports administration
• Previous experience in competition management, particularly at community/local level
• Strong communication skills, written & verbal ability to develop and deliver presentations on strategic & operational direction
• Disciplined Budget management with previous experience in managing a financial budget
• Demonstrated high level project management skills, including an ability to analyse, plan, monitor, evaluate and prioritize.

Desirable

• Experience in Rugby, in particular at the community level
• Exceptional interpersonal skills with proven experience in managing people
• Working knowledge of Community Rugby standards, expectations and opportunities
• Understanding of the Victorian Rugby Landscape
• Ability to resolve sensitive and critical issues internally and externally
• Demonstrated ability to maintain relationships with a diverse group of stakeholders – i.e. volunteers, coaches & administrators
• Demonstrated ability to think, plan and mobilize others to act strategically
• Appropriate tertiary degree or relevant experience (e.g. sport management/sport development)