Reporting directly to the CEO, this is an opportunity to shape their financial strategy, lead the modernisation of their finance function, and help ensure the long-term sustainability of an organisation supporting athletes with an intellectual disability across the island of Ireland.

They’re looking for a qualified accountant with significant senior financial leadership experience, expertise in charity finance and governance, and a proven track record in financial transformation.

📍 Location: Sport Ireland Campus, Blanchardstown, Dublin (hybrid working)

📅 Closing date: Thursday 12 November, 5pm

🔗 Full role details and applications: https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/4479798676/

The post VACANCY: Finance Director first appeared on Federation of Irish Sport.

Balance clear performance expectations and professional accountability with mentoring, support and modern tools, empowering team members to take confident ownership of their responsibilities.
• Establish and oversee a finance business-continuity and process-documentation framework, ensuring that designated process owners maintain current procedures, control records, systems documentation and appropriate cross-cover arrangements to reduce material key-person dependency.
D. Financial Controls, Risk & Charities SORP Compliance
• Maintain a rigorous standard of internal control and robust financial governance, ensuring appropriate protection of assets and compliance with applicable regulatory requirements.
• Ensure appropriate implementation of Charities SORP 2026, FRS 102 and subsequent amendments, consistent with the organisation’s adopted accounting framework and reporting obligations.
• Ensure that the organisation’s financial management, accounting and reporting arrangements comply with applicable legal, tax, charity, company, funding and regulatory requirements across the jurisdictions in which it operates.
• Lead the organisation’s relationship with the statutory external auditors, ensuring that the audit is appropriately planned, supported, completed, and that significant findings are addressed.
• Own the organisation’s financial policy and delegated-authority framework, ensuring that policies are appropriately developed, reviewed and approved.
E. Grant Stewardship & Restricted Funds
• Provide executive oversight and assurance in relation to public and private grant income, restricted funds and designated funds, ensuring transparent accounting and proportionate control arrangements.
• Oversee the complex compliance and multi-annual reporting requirements for primary statutory funding partners, including Sport Ireland, Sport Northern Ireland and the HSE.
• Provide executive oversight and assurance in relation to grant stewardship, restricted funds and funder compliance, ensuring that designated finance and programme personnel maintain complete audit trails, timely reporting, effective expenditure controls and appropriate escalation arrangements.
• Ensure that effective responsibilities and controls are in place so that grant leads, budget holders and finance personnel appropriately authorise, verify, evidence and report grant expenditure.
F. Management Information & Reporting
• Transform management information from a retrospective summary to a predictive, highly strategic asset, delivering clear and actionable insight across the organisation.
• Champion financial accountability and capability across the organisation, ensuring that appropriate training, guidance, reporting tools and business-partnering support are provided to budget holders.
• Agree on the organisation’s key financial and finance-related performance measures and provide the CEO, ELT, RLT, FARC and Board with clear analysis of material performance, trends, risks and corrective actions.

4. Person Specification
Essential Experience & Qualifications
• A recognised professional accountancy qualification, such as ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CPA or an equivalent qualification, with current professional standing.
• Significant post-qualification experience in a senior financial leadership role, including responsibility for organisational financial strategy, governance, controls and Board-level reporting.
• Demonstrated track record of successfully leading substantial finance transformation or change, including operating-model development, structural realignment and team capability-building.
• Proven experience in implementing modern accounting/ERP software and driving digital change in a transactionally complex environment.
• Proven experience in financial risk management and reporting.
• Deep expertise in charity accounting, including the application of the Charities SORP, restricted funds accounting, reserves stewardship, and public grant management.
• Experience operating as a trusted strategic adviser to a CEO, Executive Leadership Team, Regional Leadership Team, Board of Directors, Finance, Audit and Risk Committee and external auditors.
Core Competencies & Skills
• Strategic Transformation Leadership: Strong programme and change-leadership skills, with the ability to establish clear structures, accountability and sustainable high performance.
• Digital and Technology Capability: Strong capability in selecting and leveraging modern digital tools to automate processes, reduce paperwork and improve analytics.
• Financial Modelling and Analysis: Exceptional financial analysis and problem-solving capability, with the ability to translate complex numerical data into clear strategic options.
• Communication & Influencing: Outstanding interpersonal skills with the ability to influence executive and regional leaders, build financial capability in non-finance staff, and champion organisational values.
Leadership & Cultural Style
• Visionary & Grounded: Strategic and forward-looking, but comfortable ‘rolling up the sleeves’ to provide hands-on detail and guidance during a transitional period.
• Purposeful and Supportive: Able to set clear expectations, address barriers to effective delivery and hold individuals and teams appropriately accountable, while providing the leadership, resources, development and support required for success.
• Passionate Advocate: Committed to Special Olympics Ireland’s mission, values, and the enablement of athletes with intellectual disabilities through the strategic power of a modernised finance function.

Working at Special Olympics Special Olympics Ireland provides benefits and supports, as follows:
• 25 days’ annual leave with increments for service up to a maximum of 31 days, plus two extra company days (Good Friday and New Years Eve)
• Pension scheme with 7% employer contribution
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Employee Assistance Plan
• Hybrid working environment (2 days per week on site at Sport Ireland Campus offices)
• Discounted Gym Membership Equal Opportunities Special Olympics Ireland is committed to equal opportunities and to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities and abilities. We value the perspectives and experiences that a diverse team brings. Recruitment decisions are based on the skills, experience and capabilities relevant to the role. We are committed to an accessible recruitment process. If you require reasonable accommodations at any stage, please let us know so we can support you to participate fully.

How to Apply Please click on the link to submit your application, including your CV with cover letter attached, by 5pm on Thursday, 12 November. Careers | Special Olympics Ireland Shortlisted candidates will be contacted during the week commencing 23 November. Please note that interviews will take place from 30 November to 4 December.

The post VACANCY: Finance Director first appeared on Federation of Irish Sport.

Job Summary
The Operations OfficerIJA Performance Programme & IJA Office Administration role is to administer and support  the activities of the IJA Performance Programme and the Organisation. The Operations Officer IJA Performance Programme & IJA Office Administration will seek to inform themselves of the work of the organisation and
develop an understanding and knowledge of the organisation’s stakeholders and organisational needs. This is a dual responsibility role. Onsite training for internal procedures and processes will be provided to the successful candidate. The successful candidate will report to the IJA CEO and to the IJA Performance Lead.

This role will suit someone who has the willingness to immerse in Irish Judo and develop this role in the future.

Key Job Duties & Responsibilities – IJA Performance Programme
Administer and provide clerical support to Irish Judo Association Performance Programme to include:
• Scheduling & Booking National Squad Session facilities.
• Booking transport and accommodation for international competitions and training camps across multiple national pathway and performance programmes.
• Registration of players onto international competitions system JudoBase.
• Maintain and update IJA’s Annual HP Budget & Financial Transactions for IJA accounting system.
• Support the Organisation’s engagement with Sport Ireland and the Olympic Federation of Ireland and build good administrative relationships with other international federations, EJU & IJF.

Organisation: Irish Judo Association

Operations Officer – IJA Performance Programme & IJA Office Administration
Location: IJA Office, Irish Sport HQ, Sport Ireland Campus,
Blanchardstown, D15 DY62
Contract Length: 2 Year Contract
December 2026 to December 2028
37.5 hours per week
Salary: €40,000 – €42,500 per annum (DOE)
Application closing date: SUNDAY 1st November 2026 Midnight
Start Date: December 2026

The post VACANCY: Operations Officer – IJA Performance Programme & IJA Office Administration first appeared on Federation of Irish Sport.

•  Core Funding marginal increase will create pressure on NGBs and LSPs to provide services 

The post Modest Increase in Funding Falls Short of Sector Needs first appeared on Federation of Irish Sport.

The post VACANCY: Schools Development Coordinator first appeared on Federation of Irish Sport.

The post VACANCY: High Performance Pathway Coach first appeared on Federation of Irish Sport.

The post VACANCY: Dublin Boxing Officer first appeared on Federation of Irish Sport.

Click here for full details.
How to Apply:
Please send a cover letter and CV by email to hr@tennisireland.ie no later than 12noon on 16 October 2026, with Communications and Marketing Coordinator Role in the subject line. Late applications will not be accepted.
Only applicants invited to interview will be contacted. All candidates must have existing valid permission to live and work in Ireland unrestricted. Appointment is subject to satisfactory Garda Vetting, Safeguarding and reference checks.
Tennis Ireland is an equal opportunities employer.
About Tennis Ireland
Tennis has been identified as the world’s healthiest sport. Founded in 1908, Tennis Ireland is the National Governing Body for tennis on the island of Ireland, with 197 affiliated clubs and more than 100,000 players. Tennis Ireland has a dual remit: to sustain and grow our tennis community, and to provide the pathways and performance environment for young players who aspire to play on the professional tour. We are at a key point of growth, advancing our strategic ambitions to build resilience, drive inclusivity and ensure operational excellence across the sport.
Tennis Ireland stages Pro Tour events including the Irish Open Championships, and selects teams for the Billie Jean King Cup, Davis Cup and other international events at Junior, Senior and Masters level. We also support a wide range of competitive, educational and development programmes at local, provincial and national level across the island of Ireland. Our purpose is simple: to give everyone the game of their life.

The post VACANCY: Communications and Marketing Coordinator first appeared on Federation of Irish Sport.

Post Overview:
• 3 Year full-time contract subject to completion of a 6-month probationary period;
• €40,000 starting salary with pension;
• 23 Annual Leave Days;
• Based at Irish Sport HQ on the Sport Ireland Campus with hybrid working flexibility;
• Application Closing Date: 23rd October 2026.

About Student Sport Ireland.
Student Sport Ireland is recognised by both Sport Ireland and Sport Northern Ireland as the governing body for higher education sport and physical activity on the island. With 22 affiliated institutions of higher education (HEIs) representing over 240,000 full-time student’s Student Sport Ireland’s core work includes:
• the coordination and governance of higher education competitions;
• the promotion of student sport and physical activity;
• leading and coordinating higher education performance sport;
• the coordination of Adventure Sports club development initiatives and training;
• the provision of networking and knowledge sharing opportunities for its members;
• Representing and advocating for the sector to government and key stakeholders.
Student Sport Ireland is governed by a Board, employs six staff with its office at Irish Sport HQ at the Sport Ireland Campus, Dublin 15.
To learn more Student Sport Ireland and our work please visit our website.

Performance Manager Role Overview.
Student Sport Ireland’s current strategic plan sets out the organisation’s and our affiliated HEI’s strategic commitment to play a leading role in the coordination of higher education performance sport. This commitment is reflected in Performance being identified as a standalone strategic pillar within the strategic plan.

Guided by the above commitment, and with the support of Sport Ireland and the Sport Ireland Institute, Student Sport Ireland has successfully secured funding to resource the appointment of the new pensionable role of Performance Manager on a 3-year full-time contract.
The primary remit of the role will be to establish the HE sports sector as a key stakeholder in Ireland’s high performance system, and to lead the development and coordination of HE performance sport.

Role Responsibilities and Objectives.
The primary responsibilities and objectives of the role are detailed below and reflect the strategic priority actions set out in the Student Sport Ireland Strategic Plan (2025 -2028), the Sport Ireland High Performance Strategy (2021) and the Sport Ireland Institute Statement of Intent (2024):
i. In collaboration with key stakeholders including Sport Ireland, the Sport Ireland Institute, Sport Northern Ireland and relevant National Governing Bodies (NGBs), to position the HE sector as a strategic partner in the Irish high performance system;
ii. To strengthen the HE sector as a key partner in facilitating the transition and development of performance student athletes within the Irish performance sports system;
iii. To support the Sport Ireland Institute and partner HEIs in the continued development and evolution of the Accreditation for Student Athlete Support (ASAS) framework:
o Use the ASAS framework as the structural basis for HEI engagement on performance sport, working with HEIs to progress through the Bronze, Silver and Gold tiers;
o Coordinate engagement with HEIs on performance sport and support institutions to build the structures and services required under ASAS, in partnership with the Sport Ireland Institute dual career practitioners;
o Support the Sport Ireland Institute and partner HEIs in the continued development and evolution of the ASAS framework and associated dual career policy;
iv. Working with the Sport Ireland Institute and the relevant NGBs input and inform the development of student athlete welfare policies and education programmes, and the coordination of the delivery of programmes and the dissemination of policies and information within the HEI sports sector;
v. Support the HEI sector and the Sport Ireland Institute in the establishment of Sport Ireland recognised HE performance hubs;
vi. Lead the coordination of performance athletes at FISU Competitions including the World University Games, individual sports World University Championships, and Winter Games;

vii. Identify and develop funding opportunities to support the long-term sustainability of HE performance sport initiatives;
viii. Coordinate HEI performance sport related research and utilise data and insight to inform future decision-making, planning across the HE performance sport system;
ix. Support the Student Sport Ireland Performance Committee and the Sport Ireland Institute Student Sport Ireland High Performance Taskforce in its work and lead the development and delivery of its action plan and identified programmes and initiatives.

Candidate Qualifications and Experience.
The successful candidate will have the following qualifications, skills, and experience:

Essential:
• A third level undergraduate qualification in sport, physical activity or related discipline (Level 7 or above);
• Three years’ experience in a similar role;
• Proven knowledge of the Irish performance sports sector, policies and programmes;
• Networked within the Irish high performance sport including relevant NGBs;
• Significant project management skills and experience;
• Excellent attention to detail; report writing and presentation skills;
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
• A full, clean driving license and access to own transport.

Desirable:
• A postgraduate third level qualification in performance sport or equivalent;
• Proven knowledge of international performance systems;
• Experience in policy and strategy development.

The Candidate:
• Eligible to work full-time in Ireland;
• Proven ability to work on own initiative;
• Self-motivated, flexible, positive attitude with a strong work ethic;
• Energised by the opportunity to develop and shape the new role and the responsibility of leading and building Student Sport Ireland’s and the HEI sports sector’s performance remit;
• Proven ability to interact with and influence key stakeholders from a range of disciplines.

Contract, Salary, and Annual Leave: Subject to completion of a 6-month probationary period, the successful applicant will be employed on an initial 3-year full-time contract on a starting salary of €40,000 with pension and 23 days annual leave.

The appointment is always contingent on continued availability of the funding that supports this post and is terminable by notice.
Reporting To: The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) or his nominee.
Place of Work: The Student Sport Ireland Office, Irish Sport HQ, Dublin 15 with hybrid working flexibility.
Hours of Work: The successful applicant will be required to work 37.5 hours a week, primarily 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. Occasional evening and weekend work will arise but with time in lieu or reduction in weekly hours granted with the prior agreement of the CEO.

How to Apply: Applicants are requested to submit a cover letter and an up-to-date CV via email to the Student Sport Ireland CEO Ciarán Ó hIarnáin at ceo@studentsport.ie. While applicants are not required at this stage in the recruitment process to submit referee details, an offer of employment to the preferred candidate will be subject to receipt of satisfactory references.

Interview: Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview in person at Sport HQ on a date to be confirmed.

Closing Date for Applications: 23rd October 2026.

Student Sport Ireland is an equal opportunities employer.

The SSI Performance Manager role is funded with the support of Sport Ireland.

The post SSI Performance Manager first appeared on Federation of Irish Sport.

The Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan TD, and the Minister of State with responsibility for Sport and Postal Policy, Charlie McConalogue TD, today announced the key timetable dates for the 2026 new round of the Community Sport Facilities Fund (CSFF).

A new grant management system, SPRAOI, went live on Monday 28 September. Clubs and organisations not previously registered with the Department can now register on SPRAOI. Approximately 8,000 clubs and organisations that were registered on the previous grant system have been transferred to the new SPRAOI system. The window for funding applications will run from Monday 19 October 2026 to Friday 26 February 2027.

Minister O’Donovan said: “I want people of all ages and abilities to have access to good sporting facilities in their own communities, where they can get active, develop their talents and enjoy sport.

“This new round of the Community Sport Facilities Fund increases the maximum grants for local and regional projects and introduces a new €750,000 funding tier for larger, shared facilities.

“The new tier will encourage Local Authorities and National Governing Bodies to work together on facilities that support several sports and serve the wider community. My priority is to ensure this investment gives more people the opportunity to take part in sport, now and for generations to come.”

Minister McConalogue: “Every week, thousands of volunteers across Ireland give their time and energy to keeping our sporting organisations running. The Community Sport Facilities Fund is about supporting that commitment by helping those organisations provide the facilities and equipment their communities need. I am pleased that we are increasing the maximum grants available while also making a number of practical changes to the application requirements. Participation and inclusion remain central to this programme. We want facilities that are accessible to women and men and projects that demonstrate a genuine commitment to sport for all. I would encourage every eligible organisation to familiarise themselves with the information available on the new programme and use the coming months to prepare a strong application.”

An Information Guide, setting out key terms and conditions, is now available online at gov.ie/SportsCapital

Key details of the new round, including a number of innovations, are as follows:

• Local projects: maximum grant increased from €200,000 to €250,000 and greater collaboration with schools is encouraged
• Regional Tier 1 (former “regional” projects) maximum grant increased from €500,000 to €550,000
• New Regional Tier 2, for larger, multi-sport projects introduced with maximum grant level of €750,000, targeted at Local Authorities and Governing Bodies
• Minimum lease term reduced from 15 to 10 years, mandatory requirement to have registered lease is removed
• Administrative simplifications introduced to enable more organisations to qualify for the Fund

The CSFF is the Government’s primary vehicle for providing support to sports clubs and communities to develop sports infrastructure around the country. Taking account of feedback from the sports ecosystem, a new 3^rd Tier that can provide up to €750,000 in funding to larger projects, with a maximum grant rate of 70%, is being introduced and the 3-tier system is explained below.

Local grants

Applicants can now apply for up to €250,000, increased from the previous maximum grant of €200,000. This is the primary heading under which most local clubs and organisations will apply to the CSFF.

As with the most recent round in 2023, projects will only be considered for grant support if access is guaranteed to men and women on equal terms. Additionally, sporting organisations will be required to demonstrate delivery commitment to the “sport for all” ethos.

To simplify the process for school applications in collaboration with sports clubs, the requirement for a formal lease will be dropped in place of a minimum 10-year license sharing agreement. Such leases must spell out strong guarantees of facility-sharing between the club and school (e.g. minimum of 20 hours’ access per week by the club to the facility) and that no fees, other than fair maintenance fees, are charged to the club.

Regional grants (Tier 1)

Under Tier 1, applications must be made via NGBs or Local Authorities or directly by 2 or more clubs / organisations coming together to develop and share a multiuse / multisport facility.

In very specific circumstances, applications from individual clubs / sports can be made under this heading for developments such as:

•         Synthetic running tracks (at least 6 lanes)

•         NGB regional centres of excellence

•         League of Ireland clubs

Regional Grants (Tier 2)

This new pilot category will support larger projects and is targeted at filling an infrastructural gap between traditional CSFF projects and those larger projects that are supported by the Department’s Large-Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). This new Tier will:

• Provide funding of up to €750,000, on the basis of a maximum level of funding of 70%
• prioritise the development of multisport facilities, including all-weather pitches, for shared use by a minimum of 2 sports (this means two distinct NGBs)
• applications can only be made by NGBs or Local Authorities with clear evidence of the 30% match-funding, and prioritisation of projects where multiples are submitted
• projects must be operated / managed by NGBs / Local Authorities

The first step in obtaining a grant is to register on the Department’s online system and the Ministers encouraged any clubs that are not already registered on the Department’s new SPRAOI system to do so now. Clubs already registered on the previous OSCAR system have had their registrations automatically transferred to the new system but are encouraged to check their information for accuracy. Any first-time registrations are encouraged to check their status online and, if they require any specific guidance, to email csff2026queries@ccs.gov.ie

Once registered, all applications must be made on the same website. The system will be open for applications from 19 October 2026 to 26 February 2027.

The Information Guide is published on the Department’s website at gov.ie/SportsCapital

A review of the previous 2023 round will be published in the coming period.

The post CSFF 2026 : New round calendar announced – Increased thresholds – New pilot Tier for LAs and NGBs first appeared on Federation of Irish Sport.