Job description

We are delighted to be recruiting for the role of CEO on behalf of The Irish Athletic Boxing Association.

The Irish Athletic Boxing Association (IABA) is the national governing body for boxing in on the island of Ireland. Established in 1911, the IABA’s main role is to develop, foster and control amateur boxing in 32 counties of Ireland.

The IABA is committed to provide the environment in which support and opportunities given to our athletes, coaches and clubs in Irish boxing.

The IABA operates from the National Stadium in Dublin, the only purpose-built amateur boxing stadium in the world and there are currently over 360 clubs affiliated to the association across the Island oof Ireland.

It is a volunteer led organization where the hard work, dedication and significant time afforded by each member has contributed to the growing success of the sport in Ireland.

Our vision is to honour our standing as Ireland’s most successful Olympic Sport, and become Ireland’s most innovative, inclusive and development-focused sporting community

Our purpose is to develop a culture of unity, promote engagement and participation in clubs and communities, and advance performance at all levels.

THE POSITION

As Chief Executive Officer, you will lead the organisation and be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day management of The Irish Athletic Boxing Association (IABA). You will be accountable to the Board, as you drive the organisation forward.

As CEO, you will be expected to understand member’s needs, while having the ability to manage a complex portfolio of organisational responsibilities, including commercial and strategic priorities, operational effectiveness, stakeholder management, communications and financial/governance controls.

To be considered for this role you will need to be a strong leader, with excellent stakeholder management capabilities and have the ability to attract new revenue streams through sponsorship and funding initiatives. You should have excellent skills in management prioritisation and specifically be experienced in the delivery of strategic plan goals.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership / Strategic Planning

• Act as an organisational culture champion. Continue to develop the values of IABA and lead by example by delivering objectives through inclusivity, integrity, respect, the pursuits of excellence and teamwork.
• Maintain and develop best practice management and governance protocols.
• Represent IABA and the IABA community, nationally and internationally, in a responsible manner in line with the organisation’s values.
• Work proactively and respectfully with all the organisation’s key stakeholders to deliver the goals of the Strategic Plan.

Stakeholder management

• Create an environment where excellent relationships with all stakeholders are maintained – including Sport Ireland, government, commercial partners, referees, coaches, volunteers, schools, colleges and clubs to help deliver IABA strategic outcomes.
• Ensuring an inclusive environment, with consultation and dialogue at its core, is a key priority for the organisation.
• Actively engage with the IABA community in creating an open dialogue.

Financial/Governance/Risk Management

• Manage the financial dealings of the Association in a prudent manner in line with Board oversight.
• Ensure IABA is at the forefront of best peer practice in all Governance matters and in full compliance with statutory frameworks with full Board engagement.
• Continue to actively explore and drive existing and potentially innovative and new revenue streams outside of statutory funding vehicles.
• Ensure all IABA risk management systems and policies are appropriate, current and applied.
• Ensure the successful ongoing operation and resourcing of Board Committees in line with Board policies.

Commercial, Marketing and Communications

• Manage commercial and sponsor relationships to maximise revenue certainty by building long-term partnerships.
• Identify new programmes and other innovative opportunities to expand the revenue base.
• Ensure that marketing and communications activities are structured to strengthen the reputation of IABA and that of the sport.
• Assume the role of primary spokesperson for IABA, supported by the marketing/communications professionals and with board oversight.

Experience Requirements

Essential:

• Degree or similar level qualification, or equivalent expertise in a sports or management-related discipline or
• Strategic experience in a similar field, ideally in the sporting or not-for profit sectors.
• Minimum of 5 years senior management or executive experience in a fast-paced and challenging environment nationally/internationally.
• Experience managing budgets.
• Experience in securing commercial sponsorship contracts with leading national and international brands.
• Experience of effectively managing and motivating a team of diverse professionals.
• Demonstrated strong project management skills & methodologies.
• Visionary thinker with the ability to facilitate and lead change.
• Strong, yet inclusive management and leadership style, with the ability to effectively build relationships with a wide variety of IABA enthusiasts, volunteers, professionals, governing bodies and other stakeholders.
• A passion for excellence while maintaining impeccable standards of integrity, both organisationally and personally.
• Previous experience of reporting to a Board.
• Experience of building relationships and collaborating effectively with multiple organisations and stakeholders to deliver mutually beneficial outcomes.
• A leader who values diversity and inclusion at all levels, who will champion this agenda and continue to deliver real change inside the organisation and across the sport as a whole.
• A confident spokesperson when representing our organisation, an ability to demonstrate previous experience in doing so with stakeholders, commercial partners, media and others.

Desirable:

• A passion for sport in general and boxing in particular with a knowledge of boxing infrastructures and systems
• Experience in working with a diverse range of stakeholders in Ireland and Internationally.
• Experience of working with the media.

To apply for this position please send your CV and cover letter in confidance outlining why you are suitable for this position to our recruitment partner Ascension Executive Recruitment – recruitment@ascension.ie no later than 5pm on Monday 6^th of January 2025.