Posted: January 14, 2016

Revised: February 12, 2016

Job Posting
Head Coach, National Senior Men's 15s Team (NSM15s) 
 

Company Operating Name: Rugby Canada

Business Address: 110-30 East Beaver Creek Road, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada L4B 1J2

Location of work: Canadian Rugby Centre of Excellence, 3024 Glen Lake Road, Langford, British Columbia, V9B 4B4    

Title:  Head Coach, National Senior Men’s 15s Team (NOC 5252)

Terms of Employment: Full-Time

Wage Range: $120,000 - $180,000 per annum (commensurate with experience and qualifications); eligible for salary increases and discretionary, performance/results-based bonuses

Hours of work: 40 hrs/week; may be required to travel and work extended hours including weekends and evenings 

Benefits: Health / Dental Benefits Plan / Bonus Structure

Reports to: General Manager, Rugby Operations and Performance

Rugby Canada (RC) is the national sport organization committed to the domestic development and international success of Rugby for Canada.

OBJECTIVE OF HEAD COACH, NATIONAL SENIOR MEN’S 15s TEAM

The Head Coach, NSM15s Team has a primary responsibility to perform the role of Head Coach of the NSM15s and lead the program with the Director, Men’s Rugby.

ROLE OF HEAD COACH, NATIONAL SENIOR MEN’S 15s TEAM

The Head Coach, NSM15s Team will be required to select (in conjunction with Rugby Canada selection panel) the NSM15s Team in accordance with the policies and guidelines adopted by Rugby Canada.  The person appointed to this role will be required to coach, manage players, plan programs and manage high performance training sessions.  

The role will be viewed as being integral to and the pinnacle element of the high performance player pathway process as outlined in Rugby Canada’s Long Term Rugby Development framework.  

The position will involve a commitment to aspects of high performance player development and talent identification (TID). 

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES AND PRIORITIES

The Head Coach, NSM15s Team will be responsible for performing the following roles and/or delivering the following outcomes:

• Selecting the NSM15s Team (in conjunction with Rugby Canada selection panel).
• Coaching the team for international fixtures, tours and competitions.
• Providing leadership (in conjunction with Rugby Canada), participating in talent identification and developing programs for men’s 15s rugby.

Key Activities

Select the NSM15s Team (in conjunction with Rugby Canada selection panel) including:

• Identifying all players in contention for selection, utilizing selection networks and viewing opportunities (camps, competitions, tournaments) to ensure the most thorough possible identification and screening of players.
• Consulting with Rugby Canada coaching staff, Provincial and Regional coaching and academy staff regarding identified contenders as determined and advised by Rugby Canada periodically.
• Adhering to Rugby Canada TID and selection policies and processes that address the geography of Canada and the seasonal variations of Rugby in Canada. 

Coach the team for international fixtures, tours and competitions including:

• Working cooperatively with the team’s assistant coaching staff, management staff, Manager, Operations & Logistics and the Director, Men’s Rugby.

• Providing leadership of the team and team management through effective interpersonal communication and the ability to address difficult problems and decisions appropriately.
• Establishing and ensuring adoption by the team and team management of a team vision, values, standards and protocols that fit within the goals of Rugby Canada.
• Demonstrating personal credibility, honesty, high integrity, and showing an ability to handle pressure and stress appropriately.
• Undertaking and recording player performance expectations with each player before the campaign.
• Providing regular performance and development review feedback to each player with reference to match analysis information during the campaign.
• Providing technical and tactical coaching to individual players, mini-units and the team as a whole as appropriate.
• Using and facilitating the use of technical specialist coaches where required.
• Developing well structured training sessions that provide team progressions in the areas of:
  • Set play
  • Attack
  • Defence 
  • Open play

• Working closely with the team strength and conditioning coach to ensure that the players are provided with an appropriate fitness and training program to attain the required level of fitness.
• Ensuring that, following consultation and advice from the team’s medical staff, each player’s welfare, health and safety is given priority at all times.
• Utilizing available technologies to analyse, understand and develop individual and team performance, and conducting in–depth analysis of individual players, the team and the opposition.
• Developing appropriate game plans, reviewing and measuring individual and team performance against these plans.
• Remaining up to date with modern game development, including new laws and their impact on the game.  
• Developing team protocols and standards with input from staff and players, and ensuring these are maintained, and dealing effectively and appropriately with any breach or conflict.
• Ensuring that the team maintains an appropriate standard of discipline both on and off the field.

Provide leadership (in conjunction with Rugby Canada) and participate in talent identification and development programs for men’s fifteens rugby including:

• In conjunction with Rugby Canada staff (namely Coordinator, Talent ID), scheduling, planning and promoting player development opportunities for TID across Canada.
• Working co-operatively with Provincial Performance Managers, Regional Academy staff and university coaching staff to plan and promote TID and player development opportunities.
• Contributing constructively to any review or policy work and administrative matters relating to the NSM15s Team selection, the Team programme of assembly or other high performance matters, as requested by Rugby Canada.
• Providing advice to coaches and/or selectors of the NSM7s Team, other Rugby Canada national teams and/or Provincial Sports Organisations on the ability, performance and fitness of players selected in your Team as requested.
• Developing relationships/networks with Rugby Canada and other coaches to contribute to the Rugby Canada High Performance Program and the creation of a pool of knowledge and practice for the benefit of Canadian Rugby.

LEVEL OF AUTHORITY

A. Structure

Reports to: General Manager, Performance & Rugby Operations 

Number of Direct Reports: All program support staff (NSM15s) will have functional reporting lines to the Head Coach

Works closely with internal support staff including: Director, Men’s Rugby, Athletes, Head Coach (s) of the Senior Men’s Sevens, Assistant Coaches, Competition Coaches, Rugby Canada Centre of Excellence staff, Marketing / Communication and Sponsorship related staff;

Works closely with external partners including:  Provincial Unions / CRC Regional Programs / World Rugby / Sport Canada / Media / Sponsors / other National Rugby Unions;

B. Decision Making Authority

The Head Coach, NSM15s Team has sufficient authority to take measures that are necessary in relation to the day-to-day management of the NSM15s team in accordance with budgetary limitations, program plans and Rugby Canada policies and procedures.

Beyond these limits, the General Manager, Performance and Rugby Operations must approve decisions.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS / SKILLS

Required Education and Experience

• The Head Coach, NSM15s Team must have developed a foundation for this position through advanced level coaching accreditation accompanied by current experience as a high performance coach.
• Must have high-level performance analysis skills.
• Must have knowledge and experience at managing assistant coaches and working co-operatively with team managers, strength and conditioning coaches, team medical staff and performance analysis personnel.
• An understanding of current best practice and a history of performing best practice as it applies to rugby coaching, required.
• A thorough knowledge of developments in high performance rugby around the world, required.
• Evidence of recently upgraded accreditation, recent attendance at coaching workshops or evidence of other forms of self education that displays currency as a coach and as someone who continues to seek further development as a coach.
• Demonstrated evidence of an ability to understand, support and implement development plans.

Key Competencies 

The Head Coach, NSM15s Team will demonstrate a high level of knowledge, skill and abilities in the following areas:

• Knowledge and experience of National/International sport gained from a coaching that has required the individual to understand the needs of athletes, coaches, high performance environments, etc.
• Excellent organizational and planning skills.
• Computer literacy especially with analysis tools, spreadsheets, word processing and power point presentations.
• Knowledge and understanding of marketing, communications and public relations.
• Ability to speak French will be considered as a significant asset to the position.

Personal Attributes / Values

The Head Coach, NSM15s Team will be a person who has:

• An ability to work independently without supervision but in accordance with documented policy and procedure guidelines.
• A record of working as a team member, as well as a history of performing in situations that require self leadership and initiative.
• An ability to balance team / athletes needs and goals with those of the administration of Rugby Canada.
• A background that displays exceptional people management and people leadership skills and attributes.
• A background that displays excellent stakeholder relations and workplace co-operation.

GUIDELINES FOR APPLICANTS

Applicants are to submit the names of two potential individuals who can report on the specified selection criteria. At least one of these individuals must be able to comment in detail upon the applicant’s involvement in coaching and in particular be in a position to comment upon the applicant’s understanding of contemporary expectations of coaches as program managers and people managers. 

The selection emphasis will be based upon the applicant’s knowledge, skills and attributes to lead a successful NSM15s Team program for all international fixtures and competitions up to and including the Men’s Rugby World Cup in 2019.  The selection panel will be seeking a candidate who is capable of driving the culture of the men’s rugby high performance program into the future.  The selection process will focus attention upon issues regarding “currency”, “competitiveness”, “international best practice” and the applicant’s ability to display the skills, knowledge and expertise that identify recent experiences that will contribute to Canada’s success on the world stage and can offer direction that will ensure Canadian Rugby maintains pace with other Rugby nations.

APPLICATION PROCESS

All applications are to be made to the contact below.  Apply in confidence by sending your cover letter and resume to:

Selection Committee

National Senior Men’s Team

highperformance@rugbycanada.ca 

SUBJECT: Head Coach, National Senior Men’s Team

No phone calls please.

**Rugby Canada would like to acknowledge World Rugby’s support of this position**