The Rugby Football League have started their search for a new CEO, advertising for the role online with the position’s requirements revealed.
After a year that saw plenty of senior figures depart, including former CEO Tony Sutton and former chair Simon Johnson, the sport’s governing body are on the hunt for new leaders.
Currently, Nigel Wood and Abi Ekoku are in temporary roles as chair and CEO with the hunt for a new chair starting in December as the RFL began advertising for that role.
The same can now be said for the role of CEO with global company McBride Sport leading the search for the role, which has been advertised on the RFL’s LinkedIn page.
Hailed as a ‘rare and influential leadership role’, the advertisement outlines some of the key elements of the role with those being to ensure the “sustainable growth, integrity, commercial success, and cultural leadership of Rugby League at all levels of the game”.
RFL start search for full-time CEO
Based out the of governing body’s Ethiad Campus, the role is full-time and those interested in the position can contact Neil Edwards at McBride Sport. The LinkedIn advert also shows that there have been 100 applicants in just three days.
The full advert reads: “McBride Sport is proud to be supporting the Rugby Football League (RFL) in the appointment of its next Group Chief Executive Officer – a rare and influential leadership role at the heart of one of England’s most historic and community-driven sports. The Group CEO will provide unified strategic leadership across the Rugby Football League Group, encompassing both the National Governing Body for Rugby League in England and Rugby League Commercial, its revenue-generating arm. This role is central to ensuring the sustainable growth, integrity, commercial success, and cultural leadership of Rugby League at all levels of the game.
“This role will suit a highly credible, values-led leader with proven experience as a CEO or senior executive in a complex organisation, ideally within sport, media, entertainment, or a regulated environment, a strong track record of balancing governance, regulation, and commercial ambition and outstanding strategic, commercial acumen. If you have the gravitas to operate confidently in high-profile, politically complex environments with a deep commitment to integrity, inclusion, and the long-term health of the sport we would like to hear from you.
“This is a defining leadership role with the opportunity to shape the future of Rugby League in England, ensuring it thrives both on and off the field for generations to come.”
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