Student Sport Ireland Vacancy.
Student Sport Ireland invites applications for the newly established full-time contracted role of Performance Manager. Please see below detailed job description, application process, and closing date for applications.
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.