June 2018
POSITION DESCRIPTION
New Zealand Rugby League General Manager High Performance
June 2018
JOB TITLE: General Manager – High Performance
ORGANISATION: New Zealand Rugby League
LOCATION: Penrose, Auckland, New Zealand
REPORTING TO: CEO
ABOUT NEW ZEALAND RUGBY LEAGUE: Rugby league has played a significant part in New Zealand sport for over 100 years. Formed in 1910, New Zealand Rugby League (NZRL) is the governing body for the sport of rugby league in New Zealand.
The NZRL catchment is divided into seven zones that service the grassroots needs of the game. These zones compete in the National Championship, as well as women’s, youth and schools competitions. The NZRL manages the Kiwis and Kiwi Ferns who are both currently ranked number two in the world.
NZRL is not just about success on the field - it is also charged with caring for a community off-field, promoting the values of integrity, respect, leadership, courage and passion. The “more than just a game” philosophy has seen NZRL establish innovative social development programmes using rugby league to help communities improve their lives off the field.
NZRL VISION: • Building a stronger family and community game NZRL MISSION: • To lead and inspire people through their Rugby League experience KEY FOCUS • Increase participation • Building capability and support • Funding to enable performance and growth • Success on the international stage OUR 5 YEAR GOALS • Stronger Rugby League Communities • Better Rugby League experiences • Financially sustainable game • Rugby League World Cup winners
KEY RELATIONSHIPS Internal • Kiwis and Kiwi Ferns Coaches • Leadership Team • NZRLU staff • NZRLU Board
June 2018
External • NRL Clubs • Zones • Districts • ARL, RLPA, RLIF • International Sporting Bodies • National Sports Organizations • Sport NZ • High Performance Sport NZ
SUMMARY OF THE ROLE: To lead the High Performance Team by providing innovative, leading edge high performance initiatives for New Zealand Rugby Leagues’ professional athletes and identified amateurs, including Referees, Coaches and Team support, through the delivery of world-class high performance programmes that incorporates sports science research and development and international benchmarking. To provide High Performance support to the Kiwis, Kiwi Ferns and other National Teams’ Head Coaches.
The GM of High Performance will be responsible for creating the platform and environment that delivers world class high performance outcomes on a sustainable basis.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
High Performance Leadership • Overall responsibility for the strategic direction of the High-Performance team • Review and update the High Performance strategy which recognizes and incorporates the domestic and international context of NZ Rugby League. • Ensure High Performance principles are integrated across the entire NZ Rugby League business, including players, coaches, referees? and support staff • Provide HP support to the Kiwis, Kiwi Ferns and other National Teams’ Coaches • Lead own area of responsibility and provide expert advice on matters impacting own area to GMs of Football and Operations • Provides overall vision and direction for the High-Performance Team in the development and maintenance of an infrastructure that supports our professional players, coaches, referees and support staff to become world leaders • Leads the High-Performance Team in the delivery of the agreed High-Performance business plan • Provides significant input into the development of pathways from community to professional /national teams for men and women rugby league players in NZ • Co-ordinates and contributes to the operational plans and budgets in conjunction with direct reports • Develop and maintain effective systems and processes to manage and monitor all operational management requirements • Evaluate and review the execution of operations plans to ensure business priorities are met and standards are consistent • To work closely with the management team to ensure that the High-Performance Team • provides timely guidance and support to the wider organization
June 2018
Strategic Working Relationships • Foster and develop sound relationships with the NRL, NRL Clubs, other international bodies Zones, Districts and Clubs and other key stakeholders • Establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff (includes Players, Coaches and Support staff), external parties and other business networks as required • Maintain a high level of awareness of world leading high-performance practices within other sporting codes through the establishment of relationships, attendance at forums/congresses and international benchmarking • Develop and maintain the relationship with High Performance Sport NZ Sporting Excellence • Identify the critical elements of success through research of world leading performance trends • Continue to develop the integrated athlete development model for all levels across New Zealand rugby league • Evaluate through international benchmarking the success of Rugby Leagues’ high performance programmes to ensure world leading practices are maintained • Ensures all key stakeholders are aware of the role they play in ensuring New Zealand Rugby League has an integrated development model Talent Identification and Resourcing • Maintain and improve the system that tracks individual talented athletes as they progress through the player development model • Design a support strategy to ensure proven performers who reside overseas are monitored by New Zealand Rugby League • Develop a culture to ensure that professional coaches share their knowledge and expertise with coaches identified as having the potential to achieve similar appointments in the future • Support and maintain the succession pathway for coaching positions
Athlete Development • Develop and maintain an infrastructure of skilled support people who work with talented athletes at each stage of their development • Support coaches who have the necessary skills and experience in the delivery of high performance programmes • Evaluate delivery outcomes through the results/improvement in athlete performance Business Planning & Budgeting • Oversee the team plans and budgets • Monitor results on a monthly basis, comparing actual against budget and forecasts, noting major variances, supplying explanations and recommending corrective action Organisational Capability • Display sound business judgment and decision-making capability • Provide clear and supportive leadership to all employees to enable them to contribute to the direction of NZRL to their full potential • Contribute to the development of a culture of innovation, achievement and commitment to business outcomes
June 2018
Staff Performance • Provide support and direction for staff to enable them to achieve agreed KPIs • Ensure training and development initiatives are introduced which are relevant in improving performance and efficiency. • Oversees the planning, execution and supervision of projects undertaken by the team Other • Undertake any other duties as directed to meet team or organizational objectives.
Health & Safety (for self) • Takes personal responsibility for keeping self-free from harm. Follows safe working procedures • Reports incidents promptly • Reports hazards promptly and suggests appropriate remedies Knows what to do in the event of an emergency • Co-operates in implementing rehabilitation plan
Health & Safety (for Team • Ensures staff are informed of Health and Safety requirements in the workplace, and are adequately trained to carry out their work safely • Ensures the prompt and accurate reporting, recording and investigation of all workplace incidents and injuries • Ensures all hazards are promptly assessed for their significance, and managed
DESIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: • Created, developed and led a high-performance programme and culture within sport or similar setting • Successfully managed internal and external stakeholder relationships that have been critical to the achievement of targets • Experience developing and delivering both strategic and operational plans Background in the professional rugby league environment as a coach would be advantageous • Proven leadership experience and/or credibility in sport
KNOWLEDGE AND QUALIFICATIONS: • Extensive experience working with and leading teams within a high-performance sports environment • Previous knowledge of and exposure to world leading high-performance sports systems • An understanding of the characteristics of effective high-performance athlete and coach development pathways with proven experience implementing these • Tertiary Qualified in a related field (e.g. sport/business) • An understanding of the factors required to deliver results internationally in sport.