Strategy Manager - Revenue and Business Operations

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) is the national governing body for grassroots and elite rugby in England. Its purpose is to enrich lives and develop the sport for future generations. Having successfully embedded a central Strategy Team in the organisation over the last four years, we are now looking to introduce a new way of working with the introduction of embedded strategy roles in divisions across the RFU. The Strategy Manager - Revenue and Business Operations will play a key role in the Strategy & Transformation division, leading projects specific to Revenue Generation, visualising and interpreting data to inform decision making, developing Revenue Plans to execute on the RFU strategy and acting as a strategic advisor to leaders in the Engagement and Business Growth and Venue divisions. This role will also work through the central Strategy & Planning and Data & Insights team to ensure consistency of processes, tooling and connection between organisational strategy and divisional execution. Some key responsibilities include: Strategy & Planning:

• Provide a flexible strategic thinking and analysis role to support the setting of direction for our revenue generating activities.
• This strategic thinking and analysis may take the form of;
+ Developing and testing hypothesis to inform strategic direction + Desk based research and analysis + Data modelling and interpretation + Consultation planning, delivery and interpretation.
• Act as a strategic business partner, supporting and coaching colleagues with department led projects and strategic planning.
• Act as a bridge between the central Strategy & Planning team, the Engagement and Business Growth and the Venue Sales and Memberships departments - to translate organisational strategy into Divisional Delivery Plans.
• Drive the Division's planning to ensure the department is co-ordinated and integrated with the business.
• Support the Executive Director for Engagement and Business Growth, the Venue Sales and Memberships Director and the Executive Director of Venue to ensure the most important projects are resourced effectively from within or outside the department.
• Contributing to the planning of change initiatives in the organisation
• Ensure the divisions have a clear and articulated view on Return on Investment (ROI) and Return on Objectives (ROO).
Project Management:
• Provide Project Management expertise by directly owning and delivering important projects and by upskilling and supporting colleagues.
• Champion the RFU's way of managing projects, improving consistency and collaboration across the organisation.
• Problem solving, evaluating and decision-making for ad-hoc project related tasks.
Data and Insights:
• Work with the Data and Insights team to build consistency in the way data is managed and visualised across the department.
• Be a conduit between the Engagement & Business Growth, Venue and Data and Insights teams to align priorities and share best practice.
• Use relevant tooling to visualise data for the Engagement & Business Growth and Venue teams.
• Managing and analysing information, drawing conclusions and presenting it in an easily understood manner.
• Be the custodian of the revenue related strategic targets.
Other:
• Support and up manage senior stakeholders in order to develop and deliver the remit of the role.
• Communicate internally with key employees and members of the RFU's leadership team.
• Stay up-to-date with current thinking and best practice, proposing recommendations on improvements we can make.
• Actively collaborate with colleagues to contribute to the development and delivery of the current strategic, business and operational plans.
• Act as an ambassador for, and promote the best interests of the RFU, including the promotion of our culture and core values - This Rose Means Everyone: Put The Team First, Shape The Future, Respect Each Other.
• Undertake other duties as may be required from time to time as are consistent with the responsibilities of the post and the needs of the organisation.
  
  The skills and attributes outlined in this description are not exhaustive and we welcome candidates who can bring different relevant experiences to the role.
Essential:
• Advanced Excel data management capabilities.
• Advanced Microsoft programmes (PowerPoint, Word and SharePoint) proficiency.
• Strong understanding of financial data, including accounting principles.
• Ability to lead or support in-house and third-party teams, communicate effectively with and influence business stakeholders.
• Experience of working collaboratively with senior members of staff.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Project management methodology experience and understanding.
• Strategic thinker who is able to influence and drive change.
• Ability to work on several projects at once, prioritise and communicate priorities.
• Ability to create compelling narrative to bring stakeholders with you.
• Influencing, consensus building, and sustaining relationships - with the ability to work collaboratively.
• Enjoys working to tight deadlines or with short turnaround times.
• Ability to inspire confidence and create trust.
• Excellent judgement and ability to think creatively to navigate through challenges and reach desired goals.
• Excellent organisational skills, with an emphasis on managing priorities, forward planning and adopting a flexible approach.
• Committed to embodying the ethos our culture by using our three core values - Put The Team First, Shape The Future, Respect Each Other - to guide your day-to-day decisions, actions and interactions.
• Committed to actively contributing and building an inclusive culture in your role and day to day behaviours.
Desirable:
• Degree level desirable.
• Proficiency in Smartsheet desirable.
• Proficiency in Tableau desirable.
• Experience in organisational planning desirable.
• Rounded business knowledge and a detailed understanding of the RFU is desirable.
  
  With less than a year to go until the start of the Women's Rugby World Cup here in England, it's an incredibly exciting time to join the RFU.
Working at the RFU means playing a part in the 'bigger picture' at England Rugby: to be rooted in our purpose, which is to enrich lives, introduce more people to rugby union & develop the sport for future generations. If our purpose resonates with you, and you recognise the value that sport can bring to people's lives, we'd love to work with you. An opportunity has arisen for a Strategy Manager to join our Strategy & Transformation team on a permanent basis.