General Manager - Ponsonby Rugby Club

Summary about this job

Detail information about job General Manager - Ponsonby Rugby Club. Terms and conditions vacancy

• Transformational role
• Combine Sport and Leadership
• A "guardian" for a very rich history

Founded in 1874 and steeped in a rich history, the Ponsonby Rugby Club is the longest standing rugby club in Auckland. The Western Springs Stadium Clubrooms is adorned with memories that showcase its impressive history, and like any great New Zealand sporting fraternity, it has enjoyed its ups and downs. However, the Club foundation has remained constant – Ponsonby Rugby Club is about people and community above all else.
  
The role of General Manager is a relatively new one for the Club and combines both the roles of administrator and that of Director of Rugby. As such, a sound understanding of the game is going to be highly beneficial, although not totally necessary. However, a love for the game, for sport, and a drive to take the strong administrative foundations that have been built, and enhance them, is what we seek. Over the last couple of years, substantial work has gone into establishing systems and financial processes, and looking for ways to enhance both the Junior and Senior Rugby Programs.
  
The new General Manager will have the skills to take this work and add their own flair. With responsibility for both the rugby programs and the financial performance of the Club, you will need strong stakeholder management, and be adept at working with a diverse group of people. Key areas of financial performance include the fee revenue from players, and with over 800 Junior and Senior players, Ponsonby is the largest rugby Club in New Zealand. Despite this, looking for innovative ways to grow the Clubs reputation in the Community is key to enhancing player numbers. You will also have responsibility for driving revenue from Sponsorship Programs and Grant Applications, growing the successful Holiday Program format and Summer Touch Modules, and enhancing programs new to the Club such as the Junior Rugby Seven’s Tournament, which had its inaugural year this year, and was a success both in terms of additional revenue for the Club, but also in the way it engaged Junior teams from within and outside the Auckland Rugby district. The means for additional revenue remain untapped for the right creative thinker.
  
You will need to oversee the successful operation of the Club bar and have an ability to pool a group of casual staff who can engage meaningfully with our playing and player support community. Food catering for the Club is successfully outsourced to an experienced operator who is enhancing this function, but you will work closely with the caterer to provide thought leadership and support, as the successful operation of this area is mutually beneficial.
  
In short, we seek a passionate person, with strong leadership and stakeholder management skills. You will be a proven commercial operator, capable of leading the thinking and logistics needed to run multiple programs over a busy season. You will be aided by a highly capable club administrator with a long-term and deep knowledge of the Club, and they will help to ensure the smooth running of the Junior monthly Player of the Month events, coordination of Club photos and prizegivings, rugby draws and Friday Night Football, and the draft Annual Report amongst other key responsibilities. Whilst the GM role reports to the Club Chairman, you will also have the support of a highly knowledgeable Senior Committee which includes one of the best rugby minds in the country, and be supported by a strong and active Junior Committee who shoulder much of the volunteer logistical support for the various programs the Club runs. Recently the Club has also had the opportunity to partner with one of the worlds largest accounting and financial advisory firms to improve its fiscal transparency. This has been one of the key programs the Club has instigated for improvement, so someone with the determination to take the Club forward is a must.
  
The role will suit someone who has held a similar position before, but perhaps seeks a larger challenge, or someone involved in sports administration, or someone from the commercial business world who can bring their leadership, financial management, administrative and commercial skill-set to a Community based role within a world recognized organisation – and just wants to enjoy doing something a little different.
  
Initial enquiries to James Brooke 0275 959 979, please submit applications online.