Head of Behavioural Performance
Our ambition is to establish Welsh Rugby as a world-leading high performance system across both the men’s and women’s game. This role is central to creating and embedding a unified Welsh DNA for high performance culture, leadership, team effectiveness and psychological development, ensuring alignment, clarity and competitive advantage across all national teams and pathways. The role will lead a progressive, system-wide programme of learning, development and support that builds the psycho-social capability of players, coaches and staff to create and thrive in winning Welsh teams — both on and off the field.
Salary: Competitive
Closing Date: 5pm 31 July 2026
We are utilising the support of Elite Performance Partners to manage this recruitment process. You can find out more about them here: https://eppglobal.com/
The role
To lead the strategic and operational delivery of high performance culture, leadership, team effectiveness and psychological development across the men’s and women’s game. The role is accountable for defining, creating and embedding a clear Welsh DNA for behavioural performance — establishing the principles, standards, language and practices that underpin world-class performance environments across all national teams and pathways, ensuring that players, coaches and staff consistently develop and demonstrate the mindset, behaviours and capabilities required to win at the highest level.
Key Responsibilities, Tasks and Activities
Define, own and embed a clear Welsh DNA for high performance culture, leadership, team effectiveness and psychological development across all teams and pathways
Lead behavioural performance across WRU, establishing the frameworks, standards, language and practices that underpin consistent winning behaviours
Lead the development of a world-class strategy for high performance culture, leadership, team effectiveness and psychological development across both the men’s and women’s game
Establish system-wide principles, standards and ways of working aligned to “what it takes to win” in international rugby
Design and implement an integrated, progressive behavioural performance system that develops players, coaches and staff to consistently perform at the highest level
Develop and deploy practical toolkits, frameworks and resources for coaches, players and staff to enable consistent application of high performance culture, leadership, team effectiveness and psychological development across all environments
Lead the operational delivery of behavioural performance and team effectiveness services across all national teams and pathways
Develop and deliver a comprehensive coach and staff development programme focused on leadership, identity, behaviours, communication, facilitation, environment design and team effectiveness
Provide direct support to the Men’s senior team and other selected national teams, as required, to optimise performance environments and behaviours
Develop and maintain strong relationships with professional clubs to ensure alignment of cultural, leadership and behavioural development of Welsh-qualified players
Recruit, lead, manage and develop a high-performing team of practitioners and external consultants
Drive innovation and applied research in behavioural performance, leadership and team effectiveness to create competitive advantage.
Establish and implement measurement frameworks to assess behavioural, cultural and leadership performance across teams and programmes
Manage departmental resources and ensure effective deployment of expertise across the system
Act as a senior leader and role model for high performance culture within WRU
Provide visible engagement in coaching, selection and development activities across the international pathway to ensure alignment of behaviours and standards
Provide support to WRU coach development activities on an agreed number of occasions per year
Maintain excellent levels of personal development to ensure knowledge and practice remains at the highest level
Act as an outstanding ambassador for the WRU and the game in Wales
Participation in marketing and sponsorship activities according to the needs of the WRU and partners
Knowledge, Skills and Experience Essential
Degree in psychology, behavioural science, social science, sport science or related discipline
Professional accreditation (e.g. HCPC, BPS or equivalent) as appropriate
Extensive experience in elite sport or high performance learning and development environments
Proven track record of leading high performance culture, leadership and team development programmes
Deep expertise in leadership, culture, psychological performance and team dynamics
Experience of designing and implementing system-wide development frameworks or programmes
Experience of working within multidisciplinary high performance environments
Strong understanding of performance under pressure and psychological preparation for competition
Strong leadership, communication and influencing skills
Exceptional relationship building capability across players, coaches and stakeholders
Outstanding design and delivery capability in individual, group and team environments
A growth mindset and strong evidence of continued professional development
A commitment to live in Wales and be fully engaged in the role Desirable
Experience in international sport
Welsh language capability
WRU Requirements
The WRU require that individuals are proficient in IT skills, specifically Microsoft packages. Excellent written and verbal communications are essential, along with the ability to build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
Ability to communicate through the medium of Welsh and a Valid UK Driver's License is desirable. This role is subject to a basic/enhanced DBS check.
The Perks
As a permanent member of the WRU Group, you will have access to our full range of employee benefits, including:
Salary Sacrifice Pension (5% employee contribution, matched by WRU)
Life assurance scheme
WRU Group Ticket Allocation (in line with ticketing policy)
One additional paid day off (birthday leave)
Employee assistance programme
Team Tactics – hybrid working arrangements
Free stadium parking and gym
WRU Group store and tour discounts
WRU Group partnership offers
Eye Care Voucher Scheme
Cycle to Work Scheme
Our Values
The WRU Group are committed to developing a culture whereby all employees are equally valued and respected. Our aims, together with our vision and mission, are underpinned by our core values and beliefs which embrace: Integrity, Excellence, Success, Courage, Family & Humour.
Inclusion At The WRU
The WRU Group are committed to building diverse, high-performing and engaged teams across Welsh Rugby. We are ambitious about providing a people first culture where everyone can belong, be heard and respected. We are happy to talk to you about our Crys I Bawb EDI Strategy (2024-2029) and you can also read more about our commitment in our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy.
Diversity monitoring
We know that we deliver better services when our workforce reflects the full range of backgrounds and experiences in the society we serve.
To continue to do this we need your help in filling out a short monitoring form.
None of the information you provide will be visible as part of your application. It will only be used anonymously to monitor the inclusivity of our selection processes.
You can select 'prefer not to say’ if you would rather not answer any question.
Pennaeth Perfformiad Ymddygiadol
Ein huchelgais yw sefydlu Rygbi Cymru fel system perfformiad uchel sy'n arwain y byd ar draws gemau'r dynion a'r menywod. Mae'r rôl yn ganolog i greu ac ymgorffori DNA Cymreig unedig ar gyfer diwylliant, arweinyddiaeth, effeithlonrwydd timau a datblygiad seicolegol perfformiad uchel, gan sicrhau aliniad, eglurder a mantais gystadleuol ar draws yr holl dimau a llwybrau cenedlaethol. Bydd y rôl yn arwain rhaglen ddysgu, datblygu a chefnogi flaengar ar draws y system sy'n meithrin gallu seicogymdeithasol chwaraewyr, hyfforddwyr a staff I greu a ffynnu mewn timau Cymru buddugol – ar y cae ac oddi arno.
Cyflog : Cystadleuol
Dyddiad Cau: 31 Gorfennaf 2026
Rydym yn defnyddio cymorth Elite Performance Partners i reoli’r broses recriwtio hon. Gallwch ddysgu mwy amdanynt yma: https://eppglobal.com/
Diben y Rôl
Arwain cyflwyniad gweithredol a strategol diwylliant, arweinyddiaeth, effeithlonrwydd timau a datblygiad seicolegol perfformiad uchel ar draws gemau'r dynion a'r menywod. Mae'r rôl yn atebol am ddiffinio, creu ac ymgorffori DNA Cymreig clir ar gyfer perfformiad ymddygiadol — gan sefydlu'r egwyddorion, y safonau, yr iaith a'r arferion sy'n tanseilio amgylcheddau perfformiad o'r radd flaenaf ar draws yr holl dimau a llwybrau cenedlaethol, gan sicrhau bod chwaraewyr, hyfforddwyr a staff yn datblygu'n gyson ac yn arddangos y meddylfryd, yr ymddygiadau a'r galluoedd sydd eu hangen i ennill ar y lefel uchaf.
Cyfrifoldebau, Tasgau a Gweithgareddau Allweddol
Diffinio, bod yn berchen ar ac ymgorffori DNA Cymreig clir ar gyfer diwylliant, arweinyddiaeth, effeithlonrwydd timau a datblygiad seicolegol perfformiad uchel ar draws pob tîm a llwybr
Arwain perfformiad ymddygiadol ar draws URC, gan sefydlu'r fframweithiau, y safonau, yr iaith a'r arferion sy'n tanseilio ymddygiadau sy'n ennill yn gyson
Arwain datblygiad strategaeth o'r radd flaenaf ar gyfer diwylliant, arweinyddiaeth, effeithiolrwydd timau a datblygiad seicolegol perfformiad uchel ar draws gemau'r dynion a'r menywod
Sefydlu egwyddorion, safonau a ffyrdd o weithio ar draws y system sy'n cyd-fynd â "beth sydd ei angen i ennill" mewn rygbi rhyngwladol
Dylunio a gweithredu system perfformiad ymddygiadol integredig, flaengar sy'n datblygu chwaraewyr, hyfforddwyr a staff i berfformio'n gyson ar y lefel uchaf
Datblygu a defnyddio pecynnau cymorth, fframweithiau ac adnoddau ymarferol ar gyfer hyfforddwyr, chwaraewyr a staff i alluogi cymhwyso diwylliant, arweinyddiaeth, effeithiolrwydd tîm a datblygiad seicolegol perfformiad uchel yn gyson ar draws pob amgylchedd
Arwain cyflwyniad gweithredol gwasanaethau perfformiad ymddygiadol ac effeithiolrwydd timau ar draws pob tîm a llwybr cenedlaethol
Datblygu a chyflwyno rhaglen datblygu hyfforddwyr a staff gynhwysfawr sy'n canolbwyntio ar arweinyddiaeth, hunaniaeth, ymddygiadau, cyfathrebu, hwyluso, dylunio amgylchedd ac effeithiolrwydd timau
Darparu cefnogaeth uniongyrchol i dîm uwch y Dynion a thimau cenedlaethol dethol eraill, yn ôl yr angen, i optimeiddio amgylcheddau ac ymddygiadau perfformiad
Datblygu a chynnal perthnasau cryf â chlybiau proffesiynol i sicrhau aliniad datblygiad diwylliannol, arweinyddiaeth ac ymddygiadol chwaraewyr sy'n gymwys i chwarae dros Gymru
Recriwtio, arwain, rheoli a datblygu tîm perfformiad uchel o ymarferwyr ac ymgynghorwyr allanol
Ysgogi arloesedd ac ymchwil gymhwysol mewn perfformiad ymddygiadol, arweinyddiaeth ac effeithiolrwydd timau i greu mantais gystadleuol
Sefydlu a gweithredu fframweithiau mesur i asesu perfformiad ymddygiadol, diwylliannol ac arweinyddiaeth ar draws timau a rhaglenni
Rheoli adnoddau adrannol a sicrhau defnydd effeithiol o arbenigedd ar draws y system
Gweithredu fel uwch arweinydd a model rôl ar gyfer diwylliant perfformiad uchel o fewn URC
Darparu ymgysylltiad gweladwy mewn gweithgareddau hyfforddi, dethol a datblygu ar draws y llwybr rhyngwladol i sicrhau aliniad ymddygiadau a safonau
Darparu cymorth i weithgareddau datblygu hyfforddwyr Undeb Rygbi Cymru ar nifer gytunedig o achlysuron y flwyddyn
Cynnal lefelau rhagorol o ddatblygiad personol i sicrhau bod gwybodaeth ac ymarfer yn parhau i fod ar y lefel uchaf
Gweithredu fel llysgennad rhagorol i URC a'r gêm yng Nghymru
Cyfranogiad mewn gweithgareddau marchnata a nawdd yn unol ag anghenion Undeb Rygbi Cymru a phartneriaid
Gwybodaeth, Sgiliau a Phrofiad Hanfodol
Gradd mewn seicoleg, gwyddor ymddygiadol, gwyddor gymdeithasol, gwyddor chwaraeon neu ddisgyblaeth gysylltiedig
Achrediad proffesiynol (e.e HCPC, BPS neu gyfwerth) fel sy'n briodol
Profiad helaeth mewn chwaraeon elît neu amgylcheddau dysgu a datblygu perfformiad uchel
Hanes profedig o arwain rhaglenni diwylliant, arweinyddiaeth a datblygiad timau perfformiad uchel
Arbenigedd dwfn mewn arweinyddiaeth, diwylliant, perfformiad seicolegol a deinameg timau
Profiad o ddylunio a gweithredu fframweithiau neu raglenni datblygu system gyfan
Profiad o weithio mewn amgylcheddau perfformiad uchel amlddisgyblaethol
Dealltwriaeth gref o berfformio dan bwysau a pharatoi seicolegol ar gyfer cystadleuaeth
Sgiliau arweinyddiaeth, cyfathrebu a dylanwadu cryf
Gallu rhagorol i feithrin perthnasau ar draws chwaraewyr, hyfforddwyr a rhanddeiliaid
Gallu dylunio a chyflwyno rhagorol mewn amgylcheddau unigol, grŵp a thîm
Meddylfryd twf a thystiolaeth gref o ddatblygiad proffesiynol parhaus
Ymrwymiad i fyw yng Nghymru ac ymgysylltu'n llawn â'r rôl Dymunol
Profiad mewn chwaraeon rhyngwladol
Gallu yn y Gymraeg
GOFYNION URC
Mae URC yn mynnu bod gan unigolion sgiliau TG, yn benodol pecynnau Microsoft. Mae sgiliau cyfathrebu ysgrifenedig a llafar rhagorol yn hanfodol, ynghyd â'r gallu i feithrin perthnasoedd cryf gyda rhanddeiliaid mewnol ac allanol.
Mae'r gallu i gyfathrebu trwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg a Thrwydded Yrru Ddilys y DU yn ddymunol. Mae'r rôl hon yn amodol ar wiriad DBS sylfaenol/manwl.
Y MANTEISION
Fel aelod parhaol o Grŵp URC, bydd gennych fynediad at ein hystod lawn o fuddion cyflogeion, gan gynnwys:
Pensiwn Aberth Cyflog (cyfraniad cyflogai o 5%,cyfraniad cyfatebol gan URC)
Cynllun yswiriant bywyd
Dyraniad Tocyn Grŵp URC (yn unol â Pholisi Tocynnau)
Un diwrnod ychwanegol o wyliau tâl (gwyliau pen-blwydd)
Rhaglen cymorth i weithwyr
Tactegau Tîm – trefniadau gweithio hybrid
Parcio stadiwm a champfa am
Gostyngiadau siop a theithiau Grŵp URC
Cynigion partneriaeth Grŵp URC
Cynllun Talebau Gofal Llygaid
Cynllun Beicio i'r Gwaith
Gostyngiadau Gwestai'r Celtic Collection
Ein Gwerthoedd
Mae Grŵp URC wedi ymrwymo i ddatblygu diwylliant lle mae pob gweithiwr yn cael ei werthfawrogi a'i barchu'n gyfartal. Mae ein nodau, ynghyd â’n gweledigaeth a’n cenhadaeth, wedi’u tanategu gan ein gwerthoedd a’n credoau craidd sy’n croesawu: Uniondeb, Rhagoriaeth, Llwyddiant, Dewrder, Teulu a Hiwmor.
Cynhwysiant yn URC
Mae Grŵp URC wedi ymrwymo i ddarparu Jyrsi i Bawb. Mae hyn yn cynnwys y bobl sy'n gweithio i ni a gyda ni. Rydym yn uchelgeisiol ynglŷn â darparu diwylliant sy'n rhoi pobl yn gyntaf, lle gall pawb fod yn perthyn a chael eu clywed a’u parchu. Rydym yn hapus i siarad â chi am ein Cynllun Cydraddoldeb, Amrywiaeth a Chynhwysiant (2023-2028) a gallwch hefyd ddarllen rhagor am ein hymrwymiad yn ein Polisi Cydraddoldeb, Amrywiaeth a Chynhwysiant.
Monitro amrywiaeth
Gwyddom ein bod yn darparu gwasanaethau gwell pan fo ein gweithlu’n adlewyrchu’r ystod lawn o gefndiroedd a phrofiadau yn y gymdeithas a wasanaethwn. Er mwyn parhau i wneud hyn mae angen eich help arnom i lenwi ffurflen fonitro fer. Ni fydd unrhyw wybodaeth y byddwch yn ei rhannu yn weladwy fel rhan o'ch cais. Dim ond i fonitro cynwysoldeb ein prosesau dethol yn ddienw y caiff ei defnyddio. Gallwch ddewis ‘gwell gennyf beidio â dweud’ os byddai’n well gennych beidio ag ateb unrhyw gwestiwn.
- Department
- Performance
- Locations
- National Centre of Excellence
- Contract
- Permanent
About The Welsh Rugby Union
Governing body for the national sport of Wales.
Leading Welsh rugby to the forefront of the global game in performance and reputation. Developing grass-roots rugby, increasing participation, supporting clubs and bringing communities together. Promoting the Principality Stadium as a unique, must play, must visit venue.