Education & Programmes Officer

Irish Sailing

Who We Are

Irish Sailing is the National Governing Body for sailing, powerboating, and windsurfing. Our vision is to facilitate active life on open water by providing an environment in which our activities are developed, supported, and promoted at all levels - from recreation to competition to success on the international stage through our values of Leadership, Passion, Belonging, Excellence, Integrity, and Clarity.

Role Overview

Irish Sailing wishes to recruit an Education & Programmes Officer to join its team. This role will play a central role in the delivery and ongoing improvement of Irish Sailing’s training programmes. The role will focus on supporting instructors, volunteers and training centres by creating accessible, engaging and well-resourced learning environment. The E&P Officer is responsible for managing Instructor CPD training, developing learning materials and supporting clubs and training centres to implement quality training programmes across all levels and age groups.

Reporting To: Training Manager, Irish Sailing

Key Responsibilities:                                                            

Programme Delivery & Support

• Deliver and support Irish Sailing training and participation programmes in line with the Annual Training Plan.

• Support the implementation of training programmes and initiatives within clubs, training centres, ETBs and community organisations.                                      

• Work closely with the Training Manager and other team members to ensure consistent quality, monitoring and feedback across programmes.                                           

Instructor & Volunteer Engagement

• Coordinate and communicate the rollout of instructor courses and manage scheduling of CPD workshops to support quality delivery on the ground.

• Support the ongoing training, mentoring and communication of instructors and volunteers to ensure partners are well informed across the training network.

• Build strong working relationships with training officers, junior organisers and course facilitators and offer practical guidance to support their role in delivery of programme.

Learning Support & Resources

• Assist in the creation and communication of course content and programme guides to enhance scheme delivery at clubs and training centres.

• Contribute to the development of online learning tools, blended learning content and use of digital passport system.              

• Build an inventory of learning resources for instructors that are inclusive, age-appropriate and aligned with national training standards.

Training Centre Quality Assurance

• Conduct annual programme of Training Centre Inspections as part of quality assurance efforts.

• Identify and report on areas of innovation and operational weakness within training centres to support continuous improvement and best practice.

• Provide practical advice to training centres on environmental impact, good governance and participant inclusion in programme delivery.                                      

Collaboration & Communication

• Act as a key liaison between clubs, centres and the training team to ensure smooth communication, timely support and clear messaging.

• Assist with reporting, tracking participation data and contributing insights to improve training and programme outcomes.

• Support and host annual workshops and findings of Training Centre Support Visits / briefings to support the ongoing evolution of national training efforts.  

Knowledge and Experience

• High level of personal proficiency in Sailing and at least one other Irish Sailing discipline.

• Senior Instructor sailing, or other NGB equivalent qualification.

• Significant experience in the delivery of sail / watersports training across a range of age groups and in a range of different organisation types.

• Strong understanding of how sports coaching and coaching structures in Sailing and/or other sporting disciplines fit or develop, both nationally and internationally

• Knowledge of community sport, sport programming and development, and/or coach education an advantage.

• Tertiary qualification in Education or Sport or other related discipline particularly NGB instructor qualifications.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Enthusiastic about the use of technology to enhance learning opportunities and coaching.

• Highly organised and be able to work under pressure, with the ability to multi-task.

Desirable Criteria

• Third Level Qualification in the following: Outdoor Education / Business Management / Marketing / Sports Law/Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion/ Sports Development / Health / Fitness/Outdoor Education/ Participation Development/ Behavioural Change/ Instructor in Sailing, Windsurfing and Powerboating or any Watersports.

• Experienced in managing multi-stakeholder projects.

Personal Attributes

• Passionate about and a commitment to our sports with a desire for a career in Sailing.

• Strong leadership and decision-making skills, particularly in managing sensitive issues.

• Positively contribute to the Sport Ireland and Irish Sailing Strategic Plans and programmes.

• Self-motivated with strong, administrative, time management, planning and organisational skills.

• Integrity and empathy, be resourceful and work on own initiative in a flexible and co-operative manner.

• Ability to problem solve and make effective decisions.

• Capable of consulting, communicating, and networking appropriately and effectively.

• Competent in analysing data to identify trends, measure success, and make informed decisions.

• Ability to be flexible and respond to challenges as they arise.

Location: Irish Sailing’s Head Office location is in Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin.

Role Location: Office / Hybrid mix

Status: Permanent full-time 

Application Process

Please apply with a CV and a cover letter outlining your reasons for applying and how your qualifications and experience make you the ideal candidate for the position.

Closing Date: Friday 31st October 2025  

Irish Sailing is dedicated to creating a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace. If you are excited about this role but do not meet every requirement, we encourage you to apply—you may be the perfect fit for this or other roles. As an equal opportunities’ employer, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences and are committed to an inclusive environment for all employees.