AddressLocation : Moore Park, NSW
Purpose
Rugby Australia (RA) is the national governing body for rugby in Australia. The RA Legal & Integrity team aims to ensure that rugby in Australia, at all levels of the game, is recognised for its high standards of integrity, on and off the field. The team is responsible for the continuous development and delivery of a program that promotes and protects the image and integrity of rugby to ensure that:
- all those involved in rugby at all levels act in accordance with our core values of passion, integrity, discipline, respect and teamwork at all times;
- rugby continues to be a safe and inclusive sport for all; and
- rugby is played, coached and administered to deliver fair sporting performances that instil enduring public confidence in our game.
Reporting to RA’s Head of Integrity, the key purpose of the role is to support RA’s Legal & Integrity team in managing integrity related matters, issues and disputes primarily at the community level to deliver and achieve the above objectives. The role involves collaborating with cross-functional teams as well as interacting with and guiding stakeholders at all levels of the game (in particular Member Unions and rugby Clubs) across Australia to ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations and policies.
Key Accountabilities
- Assist in the development, implementation, maintenance, interpretation, administration and enforcement of rugby integrity policies and programs primarily relevant to the community level, including On-field Disciplinary Rules, Code of Conduct, Member Protection, Child Safeguarding and Registration Regulations.
- Under the supervision of RA’s Head of Integrity, provide advice (including legal advice), guidance and support to RA, Member Unions and Clubs in relation to matters at the community level such as disciplinary investigations or actual or anticipated litigation proceedings, including identifying and assessing legal, ethical and reputational risks and providing proactive and legally sound solutions to resolve such matters.
- Assist in the content creation, maintenance and delivery of integrity education programs as they relate to the community level, including providing face to face and online training sessions and educational materials to stakeholders across the Australian rugby community.
- Develop and maintain excellent internal and external stakeholder relationships.
- Actively monitor and stay updated on evolving legal, regulatory and policy developments affecting community rugby in Australia, any integrity risks and/or threats to community rugby and ensure RA’s ongoing compliance at the community level.
- Under the supervision of RA’s Head of Integrity, oversee the implementation of RA’s child safeguarding strategy & program, providing advice and leadership to Member Unions and Clubs on initiatives and opportunities to improve child safeguarding and protection practices across the sport.
- Act as the first point of contact at RA for all alleged child safeguarding matters that arise at the community level.
- Participate in the work of any RA Committees as and when required (which may include preparation of papers and performing secretarial duties).
- Conduct Citing Commissioner, Judicial Committee and Code of Conduct Committee education and training as and when required (which includes intrastate and interstate travel outside of normal office hours).
- Act as Designated Disciplinary Officer, Disciplinary Liaison Officer or similar for RA governed matches in Australia as and when required.
- Review contracts and agreements related to community and/or integrity to ensure legal compliance and appropriate risk mitigation.
- Assist with any other integrity, governance or community related matters, issues, disputes and litigation as and when required.
Capabilities, Experience & Qualification Requirements
Capabilities
Required
- Ability to interpret policies, laws and regulations and apply them to a given factual scenario
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills with the ability to collaborate effectively with others and provide clear legal guidance to non-legal stakeholders
- Excellent drafting skills
- Multi-tasking skills
- Ability to work under pressure
- Excellent judgment with the ability to make decisions when faced with limited information or different views/competing interests
- Ability to maintain the appropriate level of confidentiality when dealing with a wide range of issues and stakeholders
- Good understanding of rugby and the Laws and Regulations of the Game, in particular the on-field disciplinary process
- Flexibility with regard to working arrangements, especially during peak times and events or where certain matters may require work outside of normal office hours
- Some interstate and/or international travel may be required at certain times
Desired
- Knowledge and understanding of child safeguarding practices
Experience
Required
- Minimum of 2-5 years PQE in a private practice firm or in-house legal team. (Litigation and/or disputes resolution experience is highly desirable.)
Desired
- Industry experience in community engagement, safeguarding, child protection or any other relevant area, preferably within sport in Australia or overseas
- Experience in developing and implementing integrity programs preferably in the not-for-profit sector, government or private sector
Qualification Requirements
- Australian Qualified Lawyer
- Working with Children Check
- National Police Check
