Inter Service Rugby Competition Manager

Inter Service Rugby Competition Manager
Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force Rugby Unions

Independent Contractor (36-month engagement)

About the Inter Service Rugby Competition
The Inter Service Rugby Competition (ISRC) is the flagship annual competition between the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force, bringing together the best of Service Rugby across the Senior Men’s, Senior Women’s, U23 and Masters’ (Over 35s) events.

Played at leading venues and supported by thousands of spectators, commercial partners and military audiences, the ISRC has become one of the UK’s most distinctive amateur sporting events.

Following a period of significant development, the competition is now entering its next phase. We are seeking an experienced contractor to coordinate and oversee its successful delivery and continued improvement on behalf of the three Service Rugby Unions.

The Opportunity
Working to outcomes agreed by the Inter Service Steering Group (ISSG) (the single Service Unions senior representatives), the successful contractor will coordinate the planning and delivery of each phase of the Inter Service Rugby Competition.

This is a role for a strong organiser and collaborator: someone able to maintain momentum across multiple workstreams, bring together a wide range of stakeholders, and help deliver high-quality fixtures in a consistent and professional way.

The engagement will include:

• Leading the planning and coordination of all four elements of the ISRC competition, maintaining an effective annual planning rhythm with the ISSG and individual match committees;
• Overseeing match-day readiness and delivery, including venues, ticketing, hosting, production and wider match facilities;
• Working with the single Service Rugby Unions, volunteers, venues, suppliers, broadcasters and marketing partners to ensure aligned and effective delivery;
• Providing delivery reporting, budget oversight, risk management and post-season review, including updates on progress, issues and milestones;
• Supporting the continued improvement of the competition, including attendances, partnerships and spectator experience.

The role follows the successful establishment of a modern competition operating model and now focuses on delivering and improving an established competition. The workload is variable, with each quarter requiring a different focus and type of work, with the greatest commitment required during the period of February to the delivery of the main events in May. (Jun – Aug – review of previous season and preparations for following season and tickets on sale, Sep – Dec establishing match committees for forthcoming fixtures and planning and execution of U23 competition, Jan – Feb launch event and build up in activity in advance of Senior Men, Senior Women and Masters’ (Over 35s) competitions in Apr and May).

Essential experience

• Managing complex projects, programmes or events.
• Working with multiple stakeholders and maintaining delivery across competing priorities.
• Strong organisational, planning and communication skills.
• Budget monitoring and reporting.
• Confident use of Microsoft 365 and associated software.
• Sporting event or competition delivery.

Highly Desirable Experience

• Military sport or volunteer-led sporting organisations.
• Rugby Union understanding/involvement.
• Commercial partnerships, sponsorship, marketing or communications.
• Broadcast or major event delivery.

Contract Type:
Independent Contractor / Consultancy Engagement

• Contract for services for a period of 36 months, subject to periodic review and either party’s right to terminate in accordance with the contract terms.
  
  
• Primarily home-based. Attendance at meetings, competitions and events at locations including Portsmouth, Aldershot, Twickenham, Gloucester and Northampton (and other venues TBC) will be required, with some events taking place in the evening or at weekends.
  
  
• A fixed annual consultancy fee of £50,000 is available for this engagement, payable against monthly invoices. This figure represents the total amount payable by the contracting organisations and is inclusive of any VAT that may be chargeable by the contractor. Applicants should ensure that their proposed fee structure accommodates any applicable VAT and taxation requirements as no additional payments will be made beyond the stated fee. Additional performance related fees may be payable where agreed service outcomes and performance measures are achieved. The applicable measures and any associated fees will be agreed between the parties in advance of each contract year.

Selection
Applications will be reviewed by the single Service senior representatives. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a proposal review in London on 15 July 2026, with the contract to be awarded before the end of July 2026.

To apply, please submit a proposal and letter of application to kfowke@britisharmysport.com and ruth.stanbridge100@mod.gov.uk by 3 July 2026.