Head of Physical Performance and Nutrition

The role To lead the strategic and operational delivery of Physical Performance and Nutrition (PPN) across the men's and women's game.

The role is accountable for defining, creating and embedding a clear Welsh DNA for PPN - establishing the principles, standards, language and practices that underpin world-class preparation, recovery and performance across all national teams and pathways

Closing Date: 15 September 2026 We are utilising the support of ElitePerformancePartners to manage this recruitment process.

Salary: Competitive Key Responsibilities, Tasks And Activities

• Define and embed a clear Welsh DNA for Physical Performance and Nutrition across all teams and pathways
• Lead the development of a world class PPN strategy across both the men's and women's game
• Establish system wide standards, frameworks and language aligned to 'what it takes to win' in international rugby
• Lead and manage delivery of PPN services across all national teams and pathways
• Ensure alignment and integration with coaching, medical and wider performance services
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with professional clubs to ensure player alignment and optimisation
• Lead, manage and develop a high performing team of PPN practitioners
• Drive innovation and research in PPN to create competitive advantage for Welsh Rugby
• Lead the development of appropriate performance monitoring, data and technology projects in PPN to inform decision making
• Manage departmental resources and ensure compliance with all regulatory standards
• Act as a leader and role model for high performance culture within WRU
• Deliver outstanding on and off field coaching and learning for the Men's senior team, and other teams as required using a variety of styles to meet the diverse needs of players
• Collaborate and provide support to the multidisciplinary support team for the men's senior team, ensuring alignment and collaboration with the wider support team across the WRU
• Support the creation and maintenance of exceptional individual development plans for international players in alignment with the Welsh DNA and in collaboration with regional professional clubs
• Lead the development of an integrated nutrition strategy that is integrated across the different teams that energises staff and players to take ownership of the programme and be energised in their involvement
• Provide appropriate and visible engagement in coaching, selection and development activities for the Welsh international player pathway to ensure alignment of selection and development decisions
• Provide support to WRU coach development activities on an agreed number of occasions per year
• Maintain excellent levels of personal development to ensure knowledge and practice remains at the highest possible level to support role and team objectives
• Act as an exemplary role model for Welsh age grade coaches in coaching and leadership practice and behaviours
• Act as an outstanding ambassador for the WRU and the game in Wales, representing the team in media and communications and work with intelligence and strategic awareness
• Participation in marketing and sponsorship activities according to the needs of the WRU and partners

Knowledge skills and experience Essential

• Degree in Sports Science, Nutrition or related discipline
• Relevant professional accreditation (UKSCA, BASES, NSCA or equivalent)
• Extensive experience in elite sport
• Proven track record of leading high performance teams
• Deep expertise in physical performance and applied sports nutrition
• Experience in international or elite team sport environments
• Strong leadership, communication and relationship skills
• Strong experience and skills using data and technology to inform performance
• Exceptional on and off field delivery using a variety of methods and approaches
• A growth mindset and strong evidence of continued professional development
• A commitment to live in Wales and be present and engaged in all aspects of the role in a full time capacity

Desirable

• Master's degree or higher
• Experience in international rugby or collision sport
• Experience leading system wide performance programmes
• Rugby coaching experience and or qualification
• Welsh language capability

Behaviours

• Collaborative Teamwork - Works cooperatively and inclusively with others ensuring participation within teams and across different divisions
• Builds Relationships - Initiates, develops, maintains and leverages outstanding relationships with a wide network of players, colleagues and external stakeholders
• Influential Communication - Persuasively engages with and motivates others to gain support and 'buy in' for ideas
• Excellence and Quality - Seeks excellence in every area, sets and completes work to high standards and continually looks for ways of improving performance
• Creating Solutions - Curious and outward facing, constantly researching challenges and identifies various options and looks at issues from a variety of perspectives
• Inspiring Others to Succeed - Clear understanding and belief of own and others' capability to succeed and coaches self and others to accelerate and improve their capability
• Performing under pressure - Maintains performance under pressure, copes with adversity and adapts to the environment

WRU Requirements The WRU require that individuals are proficient in IT skills, specifically Microsoft packages. Excellent written and verbal communications are essential, along with the ability to build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Ability to communicate through the medium of Welsh and a Valid UK Driver's License is desirable. This role is subject to a basic/enhanced DBS check.

The Perks As a permanent member of the WRU Group, you will have access to our full range of employee benefits, including:

• Salary Sacrifice Pension (5% employee contribution, matched by WRU)
• Life assurance scheme
• WRU Group Ticket Allocation (in line with ticketing policy)
• One additional paid day off (birthday leave)
• Employee assistance programme
• Team Tactics - hybrid working arrangements
• Free stadium parking and gym
• WRU Group store and tour discounts
• WRU Group partnership offers
• Eye Care Voucher Scheme
• Cycle to Work Scheme

Our Values The WRU Group are committed to developing a culture whereby all employees are equally valued and respected. Our aims, together with our vision and mission, are underpinned by our core values and beliefs which embrace: Integrity, Excellence, Success, Courage, Family & Humour.

Inclusion At The WRU The WRU Group are committed to building diverse, high performing and engaged teams across Welsh Rugby. We are ambitious about providing a people first culture where everyone can belong, be heard and respected. We are happy to talk to you about our Crys I Bawb EDI Strategy () and you can also read more about our commitment in our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy.

Diversity monitoring We know that we deliver better services when our workforce reflects the full range of backgrounds and experiences in the society we serve.

To continue to do this we need your help in filling out a short monitoring form.

None of the information you provide will be visible as part of your application. It will only be used anonymously to monitor the inclusivity of our selection processes.

You can select 'prefer not to say' if you would rather not answer any question.

Pennaeth Perfformiad Corfforol a Maeth Y rôl Arwain cyflwyniad strategol a gweithredol Perfformiad Corfforol a Maeth (PPN) ar draws gêm y dynion a'r menywod.

Mae'r rôl yn gyfrifol am ddiffinio, creu ac ymgorffori DNA Cymreig clir ar gyfer PPN - sefydlu'r egwyddorion, y safonau, yr iaith a'r arferion sy'n sail i baratoi, adfer a pherfformiad o'r radd flaenaf ar draws pob tîm a llwybr cenedlaethol

Dyddiad Cau: 15 Medi 2026 Rydym yn defnyddio cymorth ElitePerformancePartners ireol i'r broses recriwtio hon.

Cyflog: Cystadleuol Cyfrifoldebau, tasgau a gweithgareddau allweddol

• Diffinio ac ymgorffori DNA Cymreig clir ar gyfer Perfformiad Corfforol a Maeth ar draws yr holl dimau a llwybrau
• Arwain datblygiad strategaeth PPN o'r radd flaenaf ar draws gêm y dynion a'r menywod
• Sefydlu safonau, fframweithiau ac iaith ar draws y system sy'n cyd-fynd â 'beth sydd ei angen i ennill' mewn rygbi rhyngwladol
• Arwain a rheoli cyflwyniad gwasanaethau PPN ar draws yr holl dimau a llwybrau cenedlaethol
• Sicrhau aliniad ac integreiddiad â gwasanaethau hyfforddi, meddygol a pherfformiad ehangach
• Datblygu a chynnal perthnasau clir gyda chlybiau proffesiynol i sicrhau aliniad ac optimeiddiad chwaraewyr
• Arwain, rheoli a datblygu tîm perfformiad uchel o ymarferwyr PPN
• Ysgogi arloesedd ac ymchwil mewn PPN i greu mantais gystadleuol i Rygbi Cymru
• Arwain datblygiad prosiectau monitro perfformiad, data a thechnoleg mewn PPN i lywio penderfyniadau
• Rheoli adnoddau ariannol a sicrhau cydymffurfiaeth â'r holl safonau rheoleiddiol
• Gweithredu fel arweinydd a model rôl ar gyfer diwylliant perfformiad uchel o fewn URC
• Darparu hyfforddiant a dysgu rhagorol ar y cae ac oddi arno i dîm uwch y Dynion, a thimau eraill yn ôl yr angen gan ddefnyddio amrywiaeth o arddulliau i ddiwallu anghenion amrywiol chwaraewyr
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