Sports Development Lead

Special Olympics Ireland; Dublin; On-site; EUR 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Special Olympics Ireland is seeking a dynamic Sports Development Lead to grow participation and athlete pathways across the organisation. You will work with Regional Development Officers, clubs, and partners to deliver inclusive programmes and sustainable youth routes, including Women in Sport initiatives.

This role involves partnerships with NGBs, Sport Ireland, and volunteers, plus grant reporting and data-informed planning.

Qualifications

• Relevant degree in Sport Management, Sports Development, Sports Science, Physical Activity, Coaching, Leisure Management, or related discipline.
• Minimum four years' experience in sports development, participation programmes, community sport, or related area.
• Strong understanding of athlete development and participation principles.
• Experience coordinating projects and working with multiple stakeholders.
• Experience delivering participation campaigns and sports development initiatives.
• Experience supporting volunteers and community-based sports programmes.
• Experience producing reports and managing programme outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning and implementation of annual participation campaigns including the development of a Women in Sport strategy.
• Collaborate with Regional Development Officers to promote participation opportunities at club, regional and all-island level.
• Develop and support Ireland Volunteer Sports Coordinators and their Teams with Regional Development Officers for consistent planning across the organisation.
• Identify opportunities to expand participation across existing and emerging sports.
• Build relationships with NGBs, Local Sports Partnerships and disability sports groups to increase opportunities for athletes.
• Support sport-specific projects aligned with organisational objectives.
• Monitor participation trends and inform programme development with data.
• Lead development of youth sport pathways across Special Olympics Ireland clubs.
• Work with coaches and volunteers to establish sustainable youth pathways.
• Develop clear transition pathways for youth into regular activities, training, competition, and wider Special Olympics opportunities.
• Identify barriers to youth participation and create solutions with clubs and regional teams.
• Create resources and best-practice models for youth sport development at club level.
• Monitor progression trends and use findings to inform programmes.
• Expand network of Inclusive Clubs with Memoranda of Understanding with NGBs.
• Align youth pathway initiatives with wider sport development frameworks.
• Represent Special Olympics Ireland at meetings and sporting events.
• Coordinate sports department reports and strategic reviews.
• Cultivate relationships with external partners to promote programmes and impact.
• Lead grant applications and ensure timely reporting to funders and partners.

Skills

Project coordination

Stakeholder engagement

Communication

Volunteer management

Data driven decision making

Education

Relevant degree in Sport Management or related field

Tools

CRM systems

Microsoft Office 365

Programme databases

Job description

Special Olympics transforms lives through sport. We are a year-round sports organisation for people with an intellectual disability, starting from age 4 with no upper limit. Today, we support over 7,000 athletes across Ireland to participate in 15 sports through inclusive sports training programmes. Through our sports, health and leadership programmes, our athletes learn to be physically, mentally and emotionally fit. They gain new skills, increase their confidence and, most importantly, experience the joy of sport and make lifelong friendships. None of this would be possible without the incredible dedication of our staff team, our volunteers, clubs, and partners who power everything we do.

Role Purpose

Special Olympics Ireland is seeking a dynamic and passionate Sports Development Lead support the growth and development of sports programmes and athlete participation opportunities across the organisation.

The successful candidate will play a key role in driving participation initiatives, supporting Regional Development Officers (RDOs), coordinating national participation campaigns, developing athlete pathways within clubs, and strengthening opportunities for athletes to progress and remain engaged throughout their Special Olympics journey.

Working closely with regional teams, NGB’s, Sport Ireland, Sport Northern Ireland and internal stakeholders, the role will focus on increasing participation and supporting the delivery of high-quality sporting opportunities in communities throughout Ireland.

The role will involve occasional evening and weekend work.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the planning and implementation of annual participation campaigns including the development and implementation of a new Women in Sport strategy.
• Collaborating with and supporting Regional Development Officers to promote participation opportunities and increase athlete involvement at club, regional and all island level.
• Lead the development and support of Ireland Volunteer Sports Coordinators and their Teams and work collaboratively with Regional Development Officers to establish and strengthen Regional Volunteer Sports Coordinators and their Teams, ensuring consistent planning and delivery of sport-specific initiatives across the organisation.
• Identify opportunities to expand participation across existing and emerging sports.
• Build and strengthen relationships with NGB’s of Sport, Local Sports Partnerships, disability sports groups, and other relevant partners to increase opportunities for athletes.
• Support the delivery of sports-specific projects and initiatives that align with Special Olympics Ireland's strategic objectives.
• Monitor participation trends and support data-informed decision making relating to sports development priorities.
• Lead the continued development and implementation of youth sport pathways across Special Olympics Ireland clubs.
• Work collaboratively with coaches and volunteers to establish sustainable youth participation pathways that encourage lifelong engagement in sport.
• Develop and promote clear transition pathways for young participants into regular club activities, training programmes, competitions, and wider Special Olympics opportunities.
• Identify barriers to youth participation and work with clubs and regional teams to develop innovative solutions that increase access and engagement.
• Create resources, guidance materials, and best-practice models to support youth sport development at club level.
• Monitor participation, retention and progression trends among young athletes and use findings to inform programme development.
• Lead the development and expansion of a network of Inclusive Clubs through collaboration with NGB’s with signed Memoranda of Understanding, creating sustainable participation and progression opportunities for Special Olympics athletes within local communities.
• Work with NGB’s and relevant partners to align youth pathway initiatives with wider sport development frameworks where appropriate.
• Represent Special Olympics Ireland at meetings, forums, conferences, and sporting events as appropriate.
• Coordinate and contribute to sports department reports and strategic reviews.
• Cultivate strong relationships with external partners, to promote Special Olympics programme and its broader impact.
• Lead the development and submission of grant applications, and manage accurate, timely reporting and compliance requirements to funders and partners.
• Undertake other duties appropriate to the role as required by the Director of Sport.

Essential knowledge and Experience

• Relevant third-level qualification in Sport Management, Sports Development, Sports Science, Physical Activity, Coaching, Leisure Management, or a related discipline.
• Minimum four years' experience in sports development, participation programmes, community sport, or a related area.
• Strong understanding of athlete development and participation principles.
• Experience coordinating projects and working with multiple stakeholders.
• Experience delivering participation campaigns and sports development initiatives.
• Experience supporting volunteers and community-based sports programmes.
• Experience producing reports and managing programme outcomes.

Desirable Skills and Experience

• Experience working within disability sport, inclusion, or community development.
• Experience working with CRM systems and programme databases.
• Passion for inclusive sport and athlete development.
• Excellent organisational and project management skills.
• Effective communication and relationship-building abilities.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Ability to support and motivate volunteers and stakeholders.
• Analytical skills with the ability to monitor participation trends and programme performance.
• Flexible and adaptable approach to work.
• High level of competency in Microsoft Office 365.