Jacques Rivoal, A Normalien Manager

From Volkswagen’s Dieselgate to the Rugby World Cup 2023’s Rugbygate, Jacques Rivoal’s (Class of ‘79, ENSET) career hasn’t always been smooth sailing. Yet, he continues to share his managerial expertise today, cultivating his passion for human relations and rugby.

As a middle schooler, Jacques was encouraged to try for the École Normale d’Instituteur entrance exam. “The prospect of skipping the BEPC and receiving a scholarship during three years of high school appealed to me,” he admits. He passed the exam, but after two years, “not envisioning a lifetime as a teacher,” he enrolled at Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, intending to take the ENS Paris-Saclay entrance exam after earning his bachelor’s degree. Jacques succeeded, earning both the CAPES and a master’s degree in economics while also pursuing a program in economic and social policy at Sciences Po Paris, which culminated in a postgraduate DESS in human resource management. Jacques experienced nearly every form of education, from École Normale d’Instituteur to École Normale Supérieure, including Sciences Po and university studies. “But it was at ENS Paris-Saclay that I developed a unique ability to navigate complex organizations and challenging contexts,” he reflects. “I have fond memories of it: we were captivated by our professors, who were true wells of knowledge. Technical skills can always be learned, but what sets you apart is managerial ability, which fundamentally relies on general culture.”

A Rare Bird in the Automotive Industry

At Sciences Po, Jacques discovered his interest in human relations. Convinced he would thrive in the corporate world in HR, he applied to Renault, which was seeking “graduates with well-rounded minds,” as he recalls. Jacques aced his interviews, securing an HR role—at least initially. When the job offer was delayed due to a hiring freeze following labor unrest, Renault, impressed by his atypical profile, proposed an alternative path. They offered Jacques a different position with a promise of internal training. Finance, procurement, legal? “Why not sales?” they suggested. This marked the beginning of an unexpected and eye-opening journey.

“Imagine: a graduate from ENS Paris-Saclay selling cars door-to-door in Val Fourré, Mantes-la-Jolie!” he exclaims. It was a cultural shock but also a fascinating experience.

“Renault was an incredible employer that enabled me to build a remarkable career in sales: branch manager, regional director, sales director for France, and then CEO of Renault Germany for nine years,” Jacques continues. His success is partly owed to his “rare bird” profile, as one of his supervisors described him. Returning to headquarters in France, he took on a less operational role for a time. Then, in 2009, the opportunity to join Volkswagen arose. Jacques became head of the brand and later the group in France, where he faced the Dieselgate scandal. “Although I bore no responsibility for the issue, I had to manage it as the head of Volkswagen France,” he recounts. He describes the ordeal as “an exceptional crisis management experience.”

At 59, Jacques stood at a crossroads and decided to pursue change. In 2018, he founded his own company. “I became a trainer in relational intelligence. The idea is to improve the quality of professional relationships,” he explains. He also delved into Franco-German intercultural management and became a senior advisor for two international companies.

A Passion for Rugby

“I’ve always loved rugby,” Jacques says enthusiastically. “I played for ENS Paris-Saclay’s club and continue to teach the sport to young children at my formative club in Versailles.” In 2018, he became president—an honorary, volunteer position—of the Rugby World Cup 2023 organizing committee, the third-largest global sporting event after the Olympics and the FIFA World Cup. Jacques experienced every phase, from France’s bid to the event itself, as “exceptional moments.”

Everything went smoothly until summer 2022, when internal management issues required him to take operational action to renew governance in close collaboration with the French government, as a stakeholder, and World Rugby, the event’s owner. “That’s when I coined the term ‘Rugbygate,’” Jacques says, finding himself managing yet another extraordinary crisis. Working tirelessly, still as a volunteer, he helped realign the organization, ensuring the global event became “a grand celebration that set the tone for the Olympic Games atmosphere.”

Today, Jacques Rivoal has transformed his management experiences into a treasure trove of lessons he eagerly shares with various audiences. Whether mentoring business leaders, senior executives, or students in sports management schools, his passion for human relations remains unwavering.