Volunteer coordinator ireland games 2026

Job Title : Volunteer Coordinator, Ireland Games 2026 Reporting To : Volunteer Manager About the Event Special Olympics Ireland Summer Games 2026 is a high-profile, multi-sport event bringing together athletes, volunteers, families and friends from across the island of Ireland. With 3 days of competition across 11 venues, an Opening Ceremony, accommodation of delegations and additional programmes for athletes, the event relies heavily on a well-coordinated community of volunteers to ensure smooth operations and an unforgettable experience for all involved. Position Summary Reporting directly to the Volunteer Manager for Special Olympics Ireland, the Volunteer Coordinator will play a critical leadership role in managing the full volunteer lifecycle from recruitment, registration, assignment to role and post-event engagement. This position requires strong organisational and communication skills, high energy, and the ability to manage a large, diverse group of volunteers in a fast-paced event environment. The position is a fixed-term contract finishing in July 2026. Duties and Responsibilities Support the roll out of the recruitment plan to attract 2,000+ volunteers, aligned with event requirements. Liaise with external organisations including the business community, government and statutory bodies and voluntary organisations and other stakeholders to support volunteer recruitment efforts. Assess applications and assign volunteers to roles as appropriate. Create and maintain a communication plan to keep volunteers engaged and informed from application through to Games time. Support the Training Manager in delivering effective training for volunteers in preparation for their Games roles. Serve as the main point of contact for Venue Management Teams regarding volunteer assignments and related information. Establish and manage a Distribution Centre for uniform and accreditation collection prior to the Games. Prepare regular updates on recruitment and assignment progress to the Game Organising Committee (GOC) and the Special Olympics Ireland Games 2026 Planning Team. Manage volunteer queries by phone and email. Handle volunteer inquiries via phone and email in a timely and professional manner. Collect and report on volunteer feedback after the Games to support future improvements. Undertake other assignments as may be requested by the Volunteer Manager. Skills and experience required : Excellent organisational skills, ability to problem-solve and attentive to detail. Experience in volunteer and / or event management desirable. Ability and experience in motivating and engaging volunteers. Ability to work independently but also work well within a team. Excellent interpersonal and written / verbal communication abilities (instruction to others; dealing with difficult situations). Ability to implement and manage administrative processes. Experience navigating databases. Comfortable using volunteer management tools and Microsoft Office. Ability to remain calm under pressure and manage multiple priorities. Willingness to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends. What This Role Offers : A first hand role in one of the most exciting sporting events of the year. Opportunity to work with an enthusiastic and experienced staff and volunteer team. Valuable experience in large-scale event planning and delivery. This job description is not to be regarded as exclusive or exhaustive. It is intended as an outline indication of the areas of activity and will be amended in the light of the changing environment within Special Olympics Ireland. Expiry Date : 28 Sep 2025 Skills : Volunteer Support Volunteer Recruiting Organisational Skills Attention to detail Communication (written and verbal) Database Administration Microsoft Suite