Creative Places Project LeaderJob Title: Creative Places Project LeaderOrganisation: Southside Partnership Dun Laoghaire Rathdown CLGContract: Fixed-term, 3 yearsHours: Full-time, 35 hours per week, 5 days (some evenings and weekends required)Location: Primarily Ballybrack and Loughlinstown (remote 1 day/week after probation)Salary: €42,000 – €55,000 per annum (depending on experience)Reports to: Social Inclusion Programme ManagerProbation: 6 monthsSouthside Partnership DLR is delighted to announce we have successfully secured a 3-year Arts Council of Ireland Creative Places Award. We are currently advertising for a Project Leader for our Loughlinstown, Ballybrack Creative Places initiative – 'Spaces and Connections. Closing date for applications is 8th December, and interviews will take place on the week of 13th January 2026.OrganisationSouthside Partnership Dun Laoghaire Rathdown CLG. ("Southside Partnership") is a local development company working towards an inclusive and just society, where each person is encouraged and enabled to reach their full potential and live with dignity in active, healthy, sustainable and safe communities. We provide a comprehensive range of supports and services to people and communities through several programmes and teams.Our MissionWorking in partnership to improve social and economic inclusion and build vibrant communities in Dún Laoghaire Rathdown.Our VisionTo see an inclusive and just society, without discrimination, where people are encouraged and enabled to reach their full potential within strong vibrant communities.Values in actionAt Southside Partnership, our work is guided by four core values:Integrity & Accountability – We act with honesty, reliability, and professionalism, taking responsibility for our actions and ensuring our work is consistent, trustworthy, and ethical.Community & Inclusion – We believe in the power of community and strive to foster diverse, inclusive, and cooperative spaces that ensure fairness, collaboration, and a shared sense of belonging.Growth & Learning Mindset – We are committed to continuous improvement, open mindedness, and innovative thinking, embracing curiosity, ambition, and creativity to adapt and lead in a changing world.Compassion & Wellbeing – We lead with empathy and care, nurturing environments where people feel valued, supported, and connected, promoting balance, health, and human dignity.RoleThis role is funded through the Arts Council of Ireland Creative Places Project and celebrates people-powered arts. Creative Places is a programme of sustained arts investment enabling people to create and run vibrant, accessible and stimulating arts programmes in their own local area. This inclusive, diverse and participatory approach is rooted in socially engaged arts practice and community development principles.The Creative Places Project Leader will lead and coordinate the implementation of Creative Places: Spaces and Connections, a three-year, community-led arts programme rooted in Ballybrack and Loughlinstown.The Project Leader will be based in our Holly House Community Resource Centre, Loughlinstown, they will join the Community Development Team and will directly report to the Social Inclusion Manager.The role is not about directing or prescribing outcomes, but about facilitating, building trust, and creating the conditions for community-led creative practice to flourish. The Project Leader will act as a connector between residents, artists, partners, and institutions, ensuring inclusive participation, high-quality delivery, and long-term sustainability.The position combines project management, facilitation, partnership development, community engagement, evaluation, and advocacy. It requires a relational, responsive, and care-based approach to leadership. The Project Leader will apply robust project management approaches to ensure the programme is delivered on time, within budget, and in line with agreed milestones, adapting to changing needs and contexts over the three years.Duties & Responsibilities (include but not limited to)1. Leadership & ManagementLead and coordinate all aspects of the Spaces and Connections programme over 3 years.Manage day-to-day delivery, budget administration, contracts, and reporting.Work closely with the Steering Group and establish a Community Advisory Group, develop a quarterly reporting structure to widen ownership and accountability.Support long-term sustainability through additional fundraising and partnership development.Develop and maintain detailed project workplans with clear milestones, timelines, and outputs.Oversee and manage budgets, work with the Finance Manager to prepare monthly budget reports.Manage project risks and adapt plans to ensure delivery across different project phases.Align delivery with funder requirements, governance structures, and evaluation frameworks.Provide supportive, inclusive leadership to artists, community partners, volunteers, and collaborators.2. Programme Development & DeliveryPlan and support the co-design of projects with artists, residents, and partners.Support artists in residence to create socially engaged work with the community.Coordinate residencies, commissions, workshops, and capacity-building initiatives.Facilitate Creative Leadership Labs, peer learning, and mentorship opportunities for artists and community leaders.Activate and reimagine underused public spaces (archways, courtyards, underpass, green spaces) through creative interventions.Plan annual programmes in collaboration with communities, ensuring intergenerational and inclusive participation.3. Community Engagement & Partnership BuildingBuild trusting relationships with residents, community groups, and service providers.Facilitate inclusive decision-making and participatory governance structures.Support accessible, inclusive creative and artistic processes across diverse communitiesAct as a visible and approachable presence in Ballybrack and Loughlinstown, embedded in local life.4. Monitoring, Evaluation & ReportingWork with the Social Inclusion Manager to identify and engage and embed a researcher who will develop an evaluation framework.Embed reflection, documentation, and evaluation throughout the programme.Track outcomes and impacts using both quantitative and qualitative measures.Share insights with the community through forums, reports, and showcases.5. Communications & Public RelationsWork with relevant team members responsible for communications and outreach toDevelop and distribute press releases and promotional materials.Manage digital platforms including websites, blogs, social media, and e-bulletins.Generate media coverage and build relationships locally, nationally, and internationally.Promote local artists and aligns opportunities with programme goals.Ensure compliance with image rights, digital rights, and branding guidelines.Provide clear acknowledgement protocols for funded artists and partners6. Compliance & GovernanceEnsure adherence to Southside Partnership and funder requirements, including safeguarding, equality, health & safety, GDPR, and financial procedures.Maintain accurate project records and ensure readiness for audit and reporting.RequirementsEducation: NFQ Level 8 Honours Bachelor Degree in Arts, Culture, Community Development, or Project Management. (NFQ Level 7 may be considered with substantial relevant experience).Experience: Proven experience in end-to-end project management, ideally within arts, community development, or local development contexts, including planning, delivery, monitoring, and evaluation of multi-year, funded projects.Programme Delivery: At least 3–5 years' experience in developing and delivering community-based programmes and managing funded projects in a similar role.Arts & Community Knowledge: Strong understanding of socially engaged arts, cultural policy, and community development approaches in Ireland.Facilitation Skills: Demonstrated ability to co-design and co-deliver projects with communities, artists, and partners; confident working with non-linear, emergent processes.Reporting & Compliance: Experience preparing reports and ensuring compliance with funder requirements (ideally Arts Council or other statutory funders).Skills:· Strong leadership, organisational, and project management skills.· Excellent communication, interpersonal, and collaboration abilities.· Budget management and financial oversight.· Competence in monitoring and evaluation of programme outcomes.· High level of ICT literacy (MS Office; database and digital platforms).Other:Commitment to inclusion, equality, diversity, and community participation.Flexibility to work evenings and weekends when required.Legal permission to work in Ireland.Application ProcessTo apply for this position, please submit your CV and a Cover letter outlining why you believe you are suitable for this role before close of business on Monday 8th December 2025. Interviews will take place on the week of 13th January 2026. Please include "Creative Places Project Leader er - Application" as the email subject for your application.Please note that:Southside Partnership DLR CLG. is an Equal Opportunities Employer.Southside Partnership DLR CLG. does not require the assistance of recruitment agencies.No late applications will be accepted, and canvassing will lead to disqualification.Any offer will be subject to satisfactory references and Garda vetting as appropriate.All applicant data will be treated securely as per GDPR and the Data Protection Acts.Job Types: Full-time, Fixed termContract length: 36 monthsPay: €42,000.00-€55,000.00 per yearBenefits:Additional leaveBike to work schemeCompany eventsEmployee assistance programSick payWork from homeApplication question(s):Have you led or co-designed community-based arts or socially engaged projects involving multiple partners (e.g., artists, residents, and local organisations)? (Briefly describe)Do you have a strong understanding of socially engaged arts, Irish cultural policy, and community development approaches? ( Yes + please describe) / No)How many years of experience do you have managing multi-year, funded community or arts projects? (please indicate your years of project management experience)Do you hold an NFQ Level 7/8 degree in Arts, Culture, Community Development, or Project Management? (Yes / No)Work authorisation:Ireland (required)Work Location: In person