WRU seek new Marketing Chief
The man or woman will join the WRU’s Senior Management team and report directly to the WRU Group Chief Executive Roger Lewis. The newly created role will forge a final link in the chain of command which makes up the Group’s restructured Executive Board.
He or she will be joined on that board by the new Director of Elite Performance who will be appointed following a global search which was launched earlier this year. Last month the WRU appointed Mike Jefferies as Head of Legal Affairs in their latest Executive Board appointment.
Under Roger Lewis’s leadership Steve Phillips was brought in as Finance Director, John Williams was recruited as Head of Communications, Gerry Toms was made General Manager, Millennium Stadium, Julie Paterson appointed as Head of Compliance while Tim Burton is Head of Operations.
The marketing role is seen by the WRU as a vital appointment to boost the £40 million turnover business and drive revenue for the future. The Head of Marketing will be responsible for sales and branding within the elite game and grass roots rugby as well as the Millennium Stadium itself.
The brief will involve developing the Welsh rugby brand as a modern business tool to boost income which will then be ploughed back into helping the game flourish at all levels. It will involve a knowledge spanning beyond the game of rugby to utilise the Stadium as a major global venue for other sports and different events including pop concerts and conferences.
During the current year, as well as rugby the Stadium has played host to major soccer internationals and club games, a top boxing night featuring World Champ Joe Calzaghe and top flight rugby league. Rod Stewart will play the Stadium in July followed by supergroup The Police in October with the American Monster Trucks Monster Jam roadshow there the same month.
The Head of Marketing will be expected to build on the profile those events build with promoters, conference organisers and the public at large.
WRU Group Chief Executive, Roger Lewis, said: “Whoever fills this role will already boast a powerful reputation across the world of marketing. This is an exciting new role which will take the successful marketing of Welsh rugby and our great stadium onto an even higher level.
“It is so important that we fully develop and utilise our brand while staying ahead of new trends and demands in the market place. In this day and age it is important to use the most sophisticated methods available to ensure everyone understand what we are about and what we can offer to the world.
“It is also vital that we go forward staying true to the values which have made Welsh rugby so successful down the decades. We believe in honesty, integrity and winning with dignity. All of us know how fast the modern world moves in terms of business trends and technologies. The creation of this role shows we are committed to staying ahead of the race.
“It is also vital for everyone to remember that success for Welsh rugby as a brand will always mean success for the game here in Wales at all levels.”
For a full job description and application procedure please visit www.wru.co.uk/vacancies.
