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VACANCY: PLAYER LIAISON AND OPERATIONS CO-ORDINATOR
Newcastle Red Bulls are recruiting for the role of player liaison and operations co-ordinator. Please read below for details on the position, and how to apply.
Job Vacancy: Player Liaison & Operations Co-ordinator, Newcastle Red Bulls
Salary: Competitive (dependent on experience)
Hours: Full-time (including evenings and weekends)
Reporting to: Head of Rugby Operations
Based at: Kingston Park Stadium, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE13 8AF
About us:
We are Newcastle Red Bulls, the only Premiership rugby team in the true North of England. Our vision is to be one of the leading rugby organisations in the UK and Europe. We are writing a new chapter for professional sport in the region and are seeking a suitably experienced candidate, who shares our ambition and energy, to provide professional, sensitive and confidential support to players and staff within our sporting environment and administrative support to the rugby leadership team.
Purpose of the Role:
The Player Liaison and Operations Coordinator plays a critical role in supporting the wellbeing, integration, and off-field effectiveness of professional players and staff within Newcastle Red Bulls. Sitting at the heart of the pro Rugby environment, this role is responsible for ensuring incoming players and their families are seamlessly onboarded, supported and integrated into both the club and the local community. The postholder acts as a trusted point of contact for off-field matters, enabling players to focus on performance while feeling supported, settled and connect.
The role also provides high quality administrative and operational support to the rugby leadership team, contributing to the smooth running of the department and the delivery of key events and milestones.
This role operates within the dynamic environment of professional rugby and requires flexibility in availability, including, where required, being available to provide support outside of normal working hours and at weekends.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Player & Staff Onboarding & Integration
• Lead the end-to-end onboarding and transition processes that are tailored to the cultural, personal and family needs of incoming players and relevant staff, ensuring a smooth and positive arrival experience and so that individuals from different backgrounds feel supported, understood and integrated.
• Liaise with player and staff agents prior to arrival to the Club regarding logistical and organisational requirements.
• Coordinate the integration of new recruits and their families into the club and local area.
• Provide ongoing liaison and support during initial arrival and beyond, addressing practical and related needs, referring to Human Resources/Safeguarding & Welfare as appropriate.
• Prepare tailored onboarding documentation and information packs.
Player Liaison and Off-Field Support
• Act as the primary point of contact for off-field support for Pro Rugby department employees.
• Support players with housing, schooling, transport, travel, banking and administration.
• Provide culturally informed support for overseas players and families relocating to the UK, recognising different expectations around family life, education, healthcare, religion, language and community connection.
• Build trusted relationships that encourage open communication and early identification of support needs.
Events, Milestones and Engagement
• Plan and deliver Pro Rugby events in line with departmental values.
• Anticipate and coordinate notable events and milestones. (e.g. arrivals, departures, family events, awards).
• Represent the Pro Rugby section at club events where required, e.g. children’s Christmas party, end of season awards, player promotions.)
Administrative & Operational Support
• Provide comprehensive administrative support to the rugby department.
• Support the Sporting General Manager and Head of Rugby Operations with a range of operational and administrative requirements.
• Ensure coordination, accuracy and professionalism across rugby administration, including working with the recruitment team to contribute to the preparation of documentation/videos/other collateral to support player recruitment and the club’s employer brand.
Networks & External Relationships
• Develop, maintain and strengthen a strong local network of services, organisations and businesses that can support players (e.g. schools, banking/financial institutions, estate agencies, residential lettings agents).
• Act as a connector between players, families, the club and trusted external partners.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Experience
• Strong administrative experience, ideally within elite sport or high-performance environment
• Experience supporting individuals or families through transition, relocation or onboarding processes.
• Demonstrable experience working with diverse cultures and international stakeholders.
• Understanding of the needs of professional rugby players and their families is highly desirable.
Skills & Attributes
• Highly organised, proactive and able to anticipate needs, risks and potential issues.
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship building skills, with a calm and supportive approach.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast paced and demanding environment.
• Strong attention to detail and high standards of professionalism.
• Confident working independently while collaborating across teams.
• Empathetic, discreet and trustworthy.
• Flexible and resilient, with a service-oriented mindset, comfortable operating in a performance driven sporting environment.
• Aligned with Red Bull values; energised, accountable and collaborative.
Safeguarding:
Newcastle Red Bulls take safeguarding very seriously and are committed to ensuring that all children and adults at risk are safeguarded at all times when engaging in club activities or services. The club has safeguarding policies and best practice guidelines to support this and expect all employees to adopt such policies and practices at all times. The club adheres to strict guidelines, policies and procedures when recruiting staff who work with children and/or adults at risk and is committed to ensuring staff receive appropriate safeguarding training suitable to their role(s). Successful applicants are expected to share the club’s approach to safeguarding at all times.
Equal Opportunities:
Newcastle Red Bulls are an equal opportunities employer and all applicants for employment will be given equal opportunities irrespective of sex, age, race, religion or belief, marriage or civil partnership, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, pregnancy or maternity, ethnic or national origin. The post holder’s duties must be carried out in compliance with the club’s Equal Opportunities Policy, with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and subsequent Health and Safety Legislation. These duties and responsibilities should be regarded as neither exclusive nor exhaustive, and the post holder may be required to undertake other reasonably determined duties and responsibilities within Newcastle Red Bulls, commensurate with the post without changing the character of the post. This post requires an enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS). This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974). Information on all convictions including spent convictions must be declared, in line with the new Government Filtering System.
If you wish to see our Candidate Privacy Notice click HERE.
Employment is subject to satisfactory professional references, the provision of proof of eligibility to work in the UK as well as a successfully cleared enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check and clearance of RFU safer recruitment procedure.
How to Apply:
If you have a proven track record of providing exemplary administrative and professional support, and share our energy and ambition, we would like to hear from you. Please send a CV and cover letter outlining your relevant experience to:
Dominica O’Neil (Director of HR) on dominica.oneil@newcastleredbulls.com .
The closing date for applications is Friday 23 January, however this is subject to change and may be adjusted in line with application volumes.
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