USA Rugby - Head Coach U20 Women's 15s

JOB TITLE: USA Rugby Head Coach - Women's U20 15s

Vision: Inspire the Rugby World the American Way

Mission: To enhance the capability of our coaches and athletes to strive for international success to ensure we win when it matters

Philosophy: Performance driven, coach-led and player centered environment

Success Measures:

- Performance - Winning Medals at Olympics and become consistently competitive at Rugby World Cups - People - Highly engaged coaches, athletes and staff that deliver a focused environment that produces better athletes and better people - System - Performances on and off the field provide a positive influence on retaining and growing our rugby community, fans, sponsors and philanthropists to grow and sustain our game

Title: Head Coach - U20 Women’s 15s

Reports To: Head of Player Development and Systems

Department: High Performance

Classification: Independent Contractor

Location: Remote and with Women’s HP Pathway U20 camps and competitions

ROLE PURPOSE:

- The U20 Women’s National Team Head Coach leads the identification, development, and performance of the nation’s top female athletes between the ages of 17-19. - This role supports USA Rugby's talent pathway by creating a challenging environment that prepares players for age-appropriate international competitions and the transition to U21 or senior level national teams. - The Head Coach develops programs to meet skill needs, support athlete growth, and ensure a consistent talent pipeline.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Talent Identification and Tracking :

- Support nationwide scouting and identification efforts including Talent ID and Regional Development Days, regional showcase tournaments, national tournaments and championships and other events as required. - Assess athletes’ technical, tactical, physical, and character traits with a focus on evaluating long-term potential. - Build and maintain an athlete depth chart and contribute to long-term tracking systems. - Work closely with other pathway coaches, senior coaches, HP staff, colleges, clubs and academies to ensure alignment and coordination of player opportunities.

Leadership and Coaching:

- Design, plan, implement, and document a coaching program that supports and balances individual athlete and team development needs and that is aligned with the women’s high performance athlete development plan and senior team game models. - Provide high quality coach leadership and contemporary HP on-field technical and tactical coaching. - Drive a high-performance culture emphasizing values, trust, collaboration, mutual respect and continuous learning. - Ensure a systematic approach to learning, with thorough reviews, pre-brief, and debriefs, incorporating the right level of independence and scrutiny to drive continuous improvement. - Engage athletes in analysis of performance needs and aspirations with the goal of producing annual individual player development plans to improve performance. - Manage staff performance, including assistant coaches, S&C, analyst, medical, and support staff - Prioritize athlete safety, welfare, and long-term development above short-term results. Support communication with families, schools, and clubs regarding identification, athlete expectations, and progression - Manage selection announcements, roster changes, and all athlete communication - Communicate consistently with athletes and their home environment coaches to maximize the efficiency of the athletes daily training environment in supporting athlete development.

General:

- Contribute to pathway curriculum, ID standards, and coach development initiatives - Support administrative and logistical tasks for the program, staff, and players including budget oversight, team plan updates, progress tracking, and periodic reporting. - Serve as a visible, positive ambassador for USA Rugby and World Rugby values. - Implement, participate in, and promote the Safe Sport Framework, including its values, policies, processes, and procedures.

Key Performance Indicators:

- Specific camp and tour KPI’s to be established in collaboration with the Head of Player Development and Systems as part of the season planning and review process - Delivery of an integrated plan for international competition that emphasizes individual and team development over performance results. - Demonstrated measurable improvement in Individual Development Plan (IDP) ratings, specifically across targeted core skill competencies. - Quality of the developed player depth chart ensures a continuous pipeline of high performing individuals for the Falcons and senior Women’s National Teams for 2029/2033 RWC and beyond. - Consistent or increasing numbers of athletes meet criteria for inclusion post U20 or are identified for accelerated opportunities with higher level age grade teams and/or the Women’s National Teams, 15s or 7s. - Athletes exhibit improved understanding and adherence to high performance behaviors and are working to develop their own individual processes to meet their performance needs.

Required Qualifications:

- Currently reside in the United States and a certified, registered coach with USA Rugby - Experience coaching athletes between the ages of 17-21, varsity college, academy, or high-performance rugby (national or top club experience preferred) - World Rugby Level 2 certification (Level 3 preferred) - Strong technical and tactical understanding of the modern game of rugby and how it translates to the international game - Demonstrated success developing young rugby athletes - Exceptional communication, leadership, and organizational skills. - Ability to educate and raise the standards of athletes.

Appointment is subject to satisfactory references and completion of applicable USA Rugby safeguarding, background, and coaching eligibility requirements.

HOW TO APPLY:

- Application Deadline December 3, 2026 - Apply via: Teamwork Online - Submit Coaching CV & 1-page summary of your Program Vision and leadership approach