Careers

Women’s Elite Rugby (WER) is now accepting applications for a Director of Product Merchandising & Retail. Candidates must be excited to work in a startup league while building the foundation for the future.

WER is building the leading women’s rugby brand in the United States. We are looking for a creative, driven merchandising leader to lead the strategy, execution, and growth of our merchandise operations. This is a high-impact role focused on building an exceptional product experience for fans, athletes, and supporters of women’s elite rugby. The Director of Product Merchandising and Retail owns the end-to-end merchandise business, from product line strategy and design direction to sourcing, imports, production, inventory, ecommerce, and event retail.

Every fan interaction with WER apparel and accessories should feel premium, inclusive, and unmistakably connected to women’s rugby. The mandate is to scale a profitable, data-driven retail operation across direct to consumer, licensing, game-day retail, and select partners, while elevating athlete-led campaigns, community impact, and multi-channel sales.

Specific Duties:

Merchandising Strategy and Line Architecture - Design Direction and Brand Storytelling - Sourcing,

Production, and Quality - Inventory Planning and Operations - Ecommerce and Omnichannel Retail - Marketing, Partnerships, and Community - Team Leadership and Budget

Minimum Qualifications:

Education

• Formal Higher Education in Business, Fashion, Design or similar.

Experience

• 4+ years in apparel or retail merchandising, brand commerce, or sports merchandise, with increasing responsibility across assortment planning, sourcing, inventory, and ecommerce. Women’s sports or growth-stage league experience preferred.
• Demonstrated success building line plans and pricing strategies, leading cross-functional teams, integrating PLM, Resource Planning, and Shopify or similar, and delivering revenue and margin growth.
• Proven track record launching new campaigns or collections, running game day or pop-up retail, and building community or fundraising programs with measurable results.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Merchandise financials, OTB planning, inventory management, and basic retail economics. Strong fluency in analytics and dashboards for conversion, AOV, UPT, sell-through, and margin.
• Proficient with sourcing and production workflows, vendor negotiation, quality control, and import logistics. Comfortable managing 3PL fulfillment and event retail operations.
• Skilled in product storytelling, briefs, and sample approvals, with an eye for fit, graphics, trims, and packaging that reflect the WER brand.
• Strong leadership, communication, and cross-functional collaboration across Marketing, Partnerships, Finance, and Team Operations.
• Fan-first mindset with a commitment to accessibility, inclusion, and community impact.
• Must have a Valid US Drivers License and currently eligible to work in the US.
• Travel to club markets and events and availability for nights and weekends during the season for games and launches.
• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds at pop-ups and stand for extended periods during retail operations.

Application Instructions: Please include a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references. Send application materials to: Careers@womenseliterugby.us

Screening of Applications Begins: For best consideration submit application materials by 11/22/2025

Anticipated start date: The selected candidate is expected to start in January 2026

Salary range: [$40,000-60,000 + bonus]

Hours: Full Time

Location: Remote-some travel required

Background Screening Statement: A background check will be required.

Equal Opportunity Statement: WER is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Applications from women, minority group members, veterans and individuals with disabilities

are encouraged to apply.

Accommodation: If you require a reasonable accommodation for a disability for any part of the employment process, please contact WER at careers@womenseliterugby.us

Work Authorization: As required by the 1986 Immigration Act, be prepared to present acceptable documentation upon hire showing your identity and that you are a U.S. citizen or an alien who is authorized to work.

Women's Elite Rugby (WER) is now accepting applications for Vice President of Business Development for markets in New York, Chicago, Denver, San Francisco/Sacramento and Boston. 

Candidates must be currently located in, or willing to relocate at own expense, to one of the aforementioned markets. 

WER is the newest women’s professional league on the US landscape. Formed as a single-entity league, WER is focused on delivering an entertaining brand of rugby to the US market and providing the highest standard of rugby available to our players. 

In collaboration with WER Leadership, the VP Business Development is an execution-driven ‘doer’ who owns how the entire WER experience in their market comes to life. You’ll sell sponsorships, bring value to WER partners through real activation, and help fill seats with smart, local ticket strategies. You’re the commercial face of WER in-market and the person our sponsors, community leaders, and fans actually know.

What you’ll do

• Build relationships with local and regional brand partners, from first meeting to signed sponsorship deals
• Lead sponsor activation in-market, making sure partners receive the full benefits of a partnership with WER
• Build and run local ticket plans, group sales, community nights, and partner bundles
• Represent WER with confidence in front of stakeholders like chambers of commerce, local businesses, civic groups, and community leaders
• Coordinate with WER’s central team on messaging, inventory, and league-wide partner needs

What we’re looking for

• Proven sales track record (sponsorships, partnerships, media, sports, or other relationship-led selling)
• Comfortable presenting to rooms that include CEOs, small business owners, city leaders, and everyone in between
• Strong local network builder, you can open doors and you follow through
• Organized, self-directed, and happy being judged on outcomes
• Sports experience helps, but sales ability matters more

Must be comfortable working in the evolving world of an emerging sports league

Equal Opportunity Statement: WER is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Applications from women, minority group members, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Background Screening Statement: A background check will be required.  

Application Instructions: Please include a cover letter, resume, contact information for three professional references, and indicate to which market(s) you are applying. Send application materials to: Careers@womenseliterugby.us

For best consideration submit application materials by January 12th , 2026

Anticipated start date: The selected candidate is expected to start in January

Salary range: $75,000 plus bonus structure.

Hours:  Full-Time

Type: Exempt

Work Requirements: Must successfully complete a comprehensive pre-employment background check., Able to work non-traditional hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, and travel as needed in support of team operations and league events.

Accommodation: If you require a reasonable accommodation for a disability for any part of the employment process, please contact WER at careers@womenseliterugby.us

Work Authorization: As required by the 1986 Immigration Act, be prepared to present acceptable documentation upon hire showing your identity and that you are a U.S. citizen or an alien who is authorized to work.

Women’s Elite Rugby (WER) is now accepting applications for Independent Contractors to work as Assistant Coaches to support team operations in  Boston and New York. Candidates must be excited to work in a startup league while supporting the foundation for the future.

WER is a single-entity, women's rugby league competition focused on delivering an entertaining brand of rugby to the US market and providing the highest standard of rugby available to our players. All teams are centrally owned, providing operational efficiencies and shared best practice among its member teams.

In collaboration with the Head Coach and Team Management, the Assistant Coach will support the development and execution of team strategy, player development, and game-day operations. The Assistant Coach will focus on specific technical areas of the game while supporting the overall team culture and vision established by the Head Coach.

Specific Duties: Leadership (Support team vision, values, standards, and protocols established by the Head Coach and WER, Model team values and standards, Build strong relationships with players and staff); Technical Coaching (Lead specific technical areas as assigned, Design position-specific training sessions, Provide detailed technical feedback); Team Preparation (Assist in training plans, Support strength and conditioning programs, Contribute to game plan development); Player Development (Provide regular feedback, Support player leadership development); Game Day Operations (Support match day protocols, Provide real-time technical feedback, Assist in managing tactical changes).

Required Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma (or equivalent)
• World Rugby L1 Certification (or ability to obtain within 3 months of hire)
• 2+ years coaching experience at senior club level or higher
• Demonstrated expertise in at least one specific area of the game
• Must be eligible to work within the United States
• Must pass all customary background checks
• Safesport Certification (or ability to obtain within 1 month of hire)
• CPR/AED and First Aid Certification (or ability to obtain within 3 months of hire)
• Ability to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in relevant field (or equivalent experience)
• World Rugby L2 Certification
• Playing experience at high performance level
• Previous experience in professional rugby environment
• Demonstrated success in player development
• Experience with video analysis software and performance analysis tools

Background Screening Statement: 

A background check will be required.

Application Instructions: 

Please include a cover letter, resume, contact information for three professional references, and indicate to which market(s) you are applying. 

Send application materials to: Careers@womenseliterugby.us

Screening of Applications Begins: 

For best consideration submit application materials by Friday, January 30.

Due to the anticipated volume of applicants, only those individuals who are selected to move into the interview process will be contacted.

Anticipated start date: 

The selected candidate is expected to start in March 2026.

Compensation: up to $2000/month

Commitment: Part-time, approx. 5.5 month contract.

Type: Independent Contractor 

Location: In-person in Boston, MA or New York, NY

Equal Opportunity Statement: 

WER is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Applications from women, minority group members, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Accommodation: 

If you require a reasonable accommodation for a disability for any part of the employment process, please contact WER at careers@womenseliterugby.us

Work Authorization: As required by the 1986 Immigration Act, be prepared to present acceptable documentation upon hire showing your identity and that you are a U.S. citizen or an alien who is authorized to work.