Swimming Activator - Munster

About the Role

Swim Ireland is hiring a Swimming Activator for the Munster region to support the rollout of its National Swimming Strategy and Participation Strategy. The role is focused on increasing swimming participation by working with local authorities, Local Sports Partnerships, pool operators, clubs, schools, community groups, and other stakeholders to create more accessible, inclusive, and affordable opportunities to swim.

Swim Ireland is the national governing body for swimming, water polo, diving, and related aquatic disciplines in Ireland. Its head office is located at Irish Sport HQ, National Sports Campus, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15, and the organisation has around 60 employees.

This appointment sits within a wider effort to strengthen community health, grow participation in the short term, and support long-term development of aquatic capability and workforce capacity.

Core Values

• Skills, professionalism, and knowledge
• Wellbeing and inclusivity
• Integrity and excellence in governance
• My passion, our vision
• Teamwork and collaboration

Shortlisted candidates will receive a support pack with guidance on the interview and selection process.

What You Will Do

Reporting to the Participation Manager, you will help deliver Swim Ireland’s goals in Munster by building partnerships and increasing regular swimming participation across the region. The role involves both programme support and relationship management, with a strong emphasis on community outreach, inclusion, and evaluation.

Swimming Places

• Work with pool operators to secure lane or pool time for Swim Ireland programmes and under-served groups.
• Identify suitable open-water venues in Munster with local authorities, ensuring sites are safe, accessible, welcoming, and inclusive.
• Coordinate with the Grassroots Disability Activator to locate swimming venues that can support accessibility needs.

Swimming People

• Coordinate swimming teaching courses with the Education team and local facilities.
• Help widen the profile of swimming teaching by engaging under-represented communities and encouraging them into pool and open-water teaching roles.
• Recruit, train, and retain Community Coaches for county-level community programmes.
• Identify potential Coach Developers and Swim Ireland Tutors in each county.
• Partner with the Grassroots Disability Activator to develop continuing professional development opportunities for tutors so lessons can be more inclusive.

Swimming Programmes

• Support programme development with the Activation & Participation team and Local Sports Partnerships.
• Deliver lifecycle-based swimming initiatives that encourage female participation at all stages.
• Run programmes for hard-to-reach groups in line with Sport Ireland and Healthy Ireland priorities.
• Support open-water delivery, including pool-to-open-water transition work and participation in open-water events.
• Collect feedback and review programme effectiveness on a periodic basis.
• Support campaigns and key events such as European Week of Sport, HER Outdoors, and Disability in Sport Week.

Swimming Partners

• Explain Swim Ireland’s role and value in swimming and water safety to partners and the wider public.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with pool operators.
• Develop working relationships with local authorities and Local Sports Partnerships.
• Engage community groups, charities, and other supporting organisations to promote programmes and identify participants.
• Work with the Grassroots Disability Activator to identify partners focused on inclusion and disability sport.

Other Duties

• Set and track standards for swimming programme delivery within the council administrative area.
• Compile evaluation information required by Swim Ireland and local authority/LSP partners.
• Monitor programme budgets and keep spending within approved limits.
• Prepare regular reports as required across the responsibilities above.

Candidate Profile

Swim Ireland is looking for someone with relevant experience in sports development, programme delivery, or a similar environment. The ideal candidate can work independently, respond to queries efficiently, and understands local and regional sports structures. A strong track record of motivating projects and delivering sport-based programmes is important.

Education and Experience

• A relevant third-level qualification at degree level in Sports Development, Sports & Recreation, Health Promotion, or another related discipline is preferred.
• Alternatively, at least 2 years of relevant on-the-job experience will be considered.
• Previous work in a similar role or within a sports environment is desirable.

Key Qualities

• Strong organisational and leadership ability.
• Clear communication and administration skills, with close attention to detail.
• Strong people skills and confidence working with volunteers and new contacts.
• A flexible, adaptable approach and a strong work ethic.
• Comfortable working as part of a team or independently under pressure.
• A swimming teacher qualification would be an advantage, though it is not mandatory.

Essential Requirements

• Must be eligible to work in Ireland on a full-time basis.
• Availability for some evening and weekend work, with flexible hours required.
• A full, clean driving licence and access to a vehicle are required.
• Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Experience and knowledge in designing, delivering, and evaluating programmes.

Terms and Conditions

• This is a fixed-term full-time contract running until 31 December 2027.
• The role is based in Munster and operates as a roving position with remote working.
• Work can be done from home or from office space available within the Munster region.
• Occasional travel to Swim Ireland’s office at Sport Ireland Campus, Dublin will be required.
• Employment is subject to satisfactory safeguarding, vetting, and reference checks.
• The salary is expected to start at approximately €35,000 per year and will depend on qualifications and experience.
• Applications close on Monday 13 July.
• Interviews are scheduled in Munster during the week beginning 20 July 2026.
• Swim Ireland is an equal opportunities employer and encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds.
• Candidates are encouraged to apply even if their background does not match every requirement exactly.