Job Purpose
The Federation of Irish Sport (FIS) is recruiting for an Athlete Support Executive, to support our growing athlete support service, working across Ireland’s High Performance System throughout the current Olympic/Paralympic cycle.
The post of Athlete Support Executive is to provide support to athletes in enhancing the effectiveness of the ‘athlete voice’ across Ireland’s High Performance system. The Athlete Support Executive will support athletes on the Sport Ireland International Carding Scheme (carded athletes) and other Sport Ireland equivalent schemes who are operating within Sport Ireland funded Olympic and Paralympic High-Performance programmes.
The Athlete Support Executive will support the interests of athletes by providing them with independent, confidential, and expert advice in the areas of integrity, athlete representation and dispute resolution, working within the relevant processes of the sport National Governing Body (NGB) and wider High-Performance system.
Reporting To: The Athlete Support Manager
Key Role Responsibilities
Athlete Representation
• Work collaboratively with athletes and NGBs to maximise the effectiveness of the ‘athlete voice’, through the establishment and development of formalised Athlete Representative Structures.
• Design and deliver a range of training opportunities for athlete representatives to support them in their roles.
• Where requested, the Athlete Support Executive will independently facilitate athlete representative election and review processes on behalf of athletes and NGBs.
• The aim of this output is to ensure athletes have a formal mechanism to provide feedback to their NGB’s High-Performance programmes and have a central voice in key decision making processes directly impacting their experience as athletes in the High-Performance system in Ireland.
Independent and Confidential Advice
• Provide independent and confidential advice to all carded athletes in dispute with their NGBs.
• This would include initial assessment of the merits of the dispute, with the option of acting as a critical friend to both athlete and NGB, where options for informal resolution exist.
• Where requested, advocate for athletes within their NGBs.
• The aim of this output is to provide an independent space for athletes to discuss concerns, navigate challenges, and support athletes with the efficient and effective resolution of disputes at the lowest level possible.
Athlete Welfare and Safeguarding
• In a positive and constructive manner, advocating welfare and safeguarding concerns on behalf of athletes to their NGB, and/or statutory agencies.
• Signpost athletes to relevant support services available to them within Ireland’s HighPerformance system.
• Support transition outcomes by providing a link to the work of the Sport Ireland Institute’s Performance Life Skills Service Providers.
• The aim of this output is to support the delivery of athlete welfare and uphold the values of Ireland’s High-Performance system.
High-Performance System Development
• Engage with Athlete Representative Structures across Sport Ireland funded Olympic and Paralympic High-Performance programmes to capture feedback and the experiences of Irish athletes.
• Engage constructively with key stakeholders to continuously develop the HighPerformance system to enhance the athlete experience on Sport Ireland funded Olympic and Paralympic High-Performance programmes.
• The aim of this output is to support the continuous improvement of Ireland’s HighPerformance system.
Miscellaneous:
• Attend meetings, workshops and seminars deemed relevant to the role.
• Support the planning and delivery of events relevant to the role.
• Always maintain the highest standard of professional conduct.
• Comply with all relevant health and safety regulations and procedures as required by legislation and individual training environments.
Person Specification:
Essential: Qualifications, Experience, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• The post-holder to have at least a primary degree.
• The ability to operate with discretion and handle confidential and sensitive information.
• Experience of building strong and effective relationships with a range of stakeholders.
• Understanding of high-performance sporting systems.
• Knowledge and experience of dispute resolution processes (grievance, disciplinary, and mediation).
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with a proven ability to facilitate workshops that engage and inform.
• Knowledge of safeguarding and adults at risk.
• Full clean driving licence.
Desirable: Qualifications, Experience, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Experience of high-performance sport, either as a participant or administrator/coach.
• Mental health awareness training.
• Qualification or knowledge of sports law.
• Interest in and enthusiasm for sport.
• Qualified mediator.
Behavioural Competences and Qualities
• Enthusiastic, dynamic, self-reliant individual.
• Strong and effective communicator in a range of different contexts.
• Trustworthy, morally courageous, and working with integrity to gain the trust and respect of athletes and High-Performance programme coaches and staff.
• Ability to assess and prioritise competing demands/requirements.
• Self-aware, willingness to accept and encourage constructive criticism.
This job description is not exhaustive and is intended to provide an indication of the areas of activity for the role. It may be amended in the future if the requirements of the High-Performance system change, through the appropriate consultation and by mutual agreement of all parties.
Key Relationships
• Athletes and staff across Sport Ireland funded High-Performance programmes in Ireland, and in particular athletes on the Sport Ireland International Carding Scheme.
• The Athlete Support Manager and Chief Executive Officer of FIS.
• Members of the Olympic Federation of Ireland and Paralympics Ireland Athletes’ Commissions.
• Sport Ireland and the Sport Ireland Institute staff and practitioners.
• Olympic Federation of Ireland and Paralympics Ireland staff.
Additional Information:
Job Title: Athlete Support Executive.
Type of Contract: Fixed term to December 2028
Hours of Work: 25 hours, which may involve work in the evenings and at
weekends/public holidays.
Salary: €25,641 – €32,051
Annual Leave: 25 days annual leave per annum (pro rata for part-time hours), plus public holidays.
Location: Hybrid working model. Will be required to travel within Ireland, and occasionally to overseas competitions and camps.
Expenses: Travel and subsistence expenses will be paid in accordance with the FIS Employee Handbook.
If you would like to apply for this position, please send your CV and a cover letter outlining your suitability for the role in confidence to recruitment@irishsport.ie.
Closing date for applications is COB July 1st 2026.
The Federation of Irish Sport is committed to fostering an inclusive workplace which values and benefits from the diversity of the workforce. The Federation of Irish Sport is an equal opportunity employer of all qualified individuals. We actively welcome applications from people from all backgrounds and do not discriminate on any protected groups. If you require reasonable accommodations to interview, let us know and we will do our best to assist.