About Special Olympics Ireland
Special Olympics Ireland, provides year-round sports training, athletic competition, and developmental programmes for almost 7000 athletes annually. Giving our athletes continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendships with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.
We have an exciting opportunity for a Regional Director. This role is responsible for the overall strategic management and implementation of the Special Olympics Programme at regional level. As a member of the Leadership Team, the individual will assist in the development of the strategic plans for Special Olympics Ireland and support and implement the agreed strategy, policies and procedures at regional level.
The individual will be responsible for overseeing and managing regional staff and volunteers to ensure each aspect of the Programme develops and grows in accordance with the strategy devised.
As part of the overall role, the Regional Director will have specific responsibility for the following areas within the region: Finance, Administration, Human Resources, Fundraising, Communications and programme delivery across the Sports and Club Programmes and other strategic initiatives.
A highly motivated and skilled professional with an understanding of the sector and a strong commitment to learning and development and continuous improvement and to the achievement of standards of excellence is required. Excellent interpersonal skills, communications and relationship management skills are essential. Must have strong leadership skills, ability to drive and manage growth, build effective teams and achieve results through others.
Special Olympics Ireland offers a hybrid working environment, with the successful candidate able to split their time between our office and home. The role also requires flexibility to work outside of standard office hours, including some evenings and weekends. A time-off-in-lieu policy is in place to support this requirement.
The position is primarily based at our office in the Sport Ireland Campus, Blanchardstown, and will involve travel within the region, as well as some evening and weekend commitments.
Special Olympics Eastern Region covers:
Dublin and Wicklow
– Glencullen, Enniskerry, Greystones, Bray, Ashford, Rathnew, Brittas Bay, Rathdrum, and Arklow
Kildare –
Leixlip, Celbridge, and Maynooth
Duties and Responsibilities:
* Manage and implement all aspects of the Special Olympics Programme at regional level.
* Develop, implement and track a Regional Programme plan.
* Ensure administrative support structures and procedures are in place to support the highest standards of administrative effectiveness within the regional programme.
* Ensure all corporate governance responsibilities are complied with in relation to the operation of the programme at regional level
* Develop and manage an annual budget, putting in place effective budget management systems to assist with adherence to the approved budget, in conjunction with the Finance Department.
* Ensure that all financial accounts are maintained to the highest level of accountability and in compliance with all statutory requirements, in conjunction with the Finance Department
* Identify opportunities to develop staff recognition and development opportunities, in conjunction with the Human Resources Department.
* Carry out performance management meetings with regional staff.
* Assist in the development, implementation and maintenance of the regional IT infrastructure, ensuring policies & procedures in relation to its operation are implemented.
* Ensure that all insurance and legal requirements are met in relation to activities at regional level, in conjunction with the Finance Department
* Implement, in conjunction with Marketing & Fundraising Department, an agreed regional marketing strategy to raise awareness of the activities of the regional Special Olympics Programme and to assist with securing additional fundraising and sponsorship as required.
* Oversee the agreed regional strategic day-to-day sponsorship and fundraising activities.
* Develop and maintain positive communications with all Special Olympics' stakeholders, ensuring all relevant communication is circulated as appropriate and information on the regional programme is easily accessible.
* Implement an agreed strategy for dealing with the media at regional level.
* Liaise on a regular basis with each Department Director.
* Update and work with Regional Committee on a regular basis.
* Undertake any other assignments as may reasonably be requested by the Senior Director, Operations.
Skills, Qualifications and Experience
Essential:
* Relevant third level qualification.
* Demonstrated experience in leading, managing, and developing teams, with a strong track record in effective people management, performance management, coaching, and building capability.
* Excellent interpersonal, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
* Excellent organisational skills, ability to problem-solve, use own initiative and attentive to detail.
* Experience collaborating with volunteers.
* Proven success in successful planning and operational delivery of programmes.
* Ability to multitask and prioritise.
Desirable:
* Third-level qualification in Sport Management, Physical Education, or related discipline.
* Understanding of scope and mission of the Special Olympics movement.
Working at Special Olympics Ireland
Our core values are embedded in the culture of our organisation:
* Passion & Pride
* Equipped for Empowerment
* Flexibility & Adaptability
* One Team
Benefits include:
Flexible/Hybrid Working - Enhanced Sick Pay - Enhanced Maternity Pay – Employee Assistance Scheme - Time off in Lieu - Employer Pension - Staff Wellbeing Initiatives –– Free car-parking
How to Apply:
Please submit your application via LinkedIn, by 5pm Friday 30th January 2026.