Applications are being requested from individuals with the integrity, independence and broad experience to operate in a high profile sector at board level.
The application process will close on 31 January 2015 when a shortlist of candidates will be drawn up for consideration.
The new Board appointments are taking place after the Annual General Meeting of the WRU in October 2014 approved a series of changes to the governance of the Union.
This followed a two year review of the existing governance structures headed by the eminent High Court Judge Sir Robert Owen.
In a further radical change to the WRU’s governance the Annual General Meeting of members voted to limit the overall tenure of any non-executive Board member to 12 years.
The new appointees will be added to the existing Board which comprises 18 directors with 17 of those directly appointed by member clubs.
The Board of Directors of the WRU have appointed the Odgers Berndston management recruitment company to oversee the application process.
The brief for the new roles states the WRU is seeking candidates with proven experience at a senior executive level within a complex and substantial commercial organisation.
They state that business leadership is at the heart of the WRU requirements although senior experience in a core commercial function such as legal or financial management will also be considered an asset.
The application document also says: “The WRU board is highly mindful of the value that diversity can bring to the board. While gender diversity is a critical consideration, the company is also interested in individuals whose age and experience can bring a different perspective and outlook to board discussions.”
WRU Group Chief Executive, Roger Lewis, said: “This represents an important development in the governance of Welsh rugby which will make the governing body more effective in the complex and dynamic global rugby landscape.
“We have carried out a detailed and forensic review of our existing structures and we can now move forward into a new era for Welsh rugby with confidence.
“Our remit covers all of rugby from the grassroots to the pinnacle of the professional game and we also own and operate our own Millennium Stadium so the decisions we make at Board level are vitally important.
“We have declared openly that we want at least one of the new non-executive directors to be a woman and that appointment will send out a clear and dynamic message about the direction we will take in future.”
WRU Chairman Gareth Davies said: “The addition of this extra expertise and knowledge will improve the corporate strength of our governance at a time of great change within rugby.
“The Board of the WRU is, quite rightly, dominated by rugby expertise but in the professional era we have to make sure that all our decisions and strategies are monitored and tested through a lens of experience and expertise.”
