Sector Skills Officer

Position Summary

Role: Sector Skills Officer Location: Dublin & Remote
Reports To: Senior Sector Skills Manager

Key Relationships:
Senior Sector Skills Manager, Leadership Academy Manager, Training and Events Officer, Sector Skills team, Training Links Network Coordinators, external event venues/catering providers, Leadership Academy event speakers, and colleagues across The Wheel

Work Pattern: Full-Time (36 hours – 5 days a week)
Hybrid Arrangement: 1 or more days in the office per week
Nature of Position: Fixed Term – 12 months.
Level | Salary Band: Officer | €36,000 to €48,100*

* The annual gross salary for this role is expected to be initially in the first quartile of the range indicated but may be placed based on the experience of the candidate.

Role Purpose 

The role exists to support the effective planning, delivery and evaluation of all programmes of The Leadership Academy and Training Links, by coordinating events and upskilling programmes, preparing clear and impactful communications, supporting the Senior Sector Skills Manager and Leadership Academy Manager, so that their programmes are delivered effectively. It operates across the national Sector Skills initiatives within The Wheel.  

 The ideal candidate will be a professional with training administration experience, is analytical, and possesses the relevant skills to work with training leads, trainers, and colleagues. They will be motivated to ensure a smooth and frictionless training experience and that transactions follow all relevant legal and internal guidelines. 

Key Responsibilities 

Sub-Responsibilities  

1. Administer the Training Links Fund  

• Serves as the primary point of contact for Training Links. Manages day-to-day communications, administrative tracking and SharePoint filing systems.   

• Coordinates promotional campaigns associated with the fund, proactively producing copy for the web, social media and newsletters.    

• Organises and facilitates meetings with Network Coordinators to maintain strong working relationships and continued support for their training delivery plans and budgets.   

2. Programme Administration, Monitoring & Evaluation  

• Arranges and co-facilitates monitoring ‘site’ visits and maintains oversight of accurate financial, operational, and participant records.  

• Collates data and feedback required for ongoing monitoring, evaluation, and reporting. Reports figures to Senior Sector Skills Manager for NTF reporting.  

• Works closely with the Senior Sector Skills Manager to plan future rounds of Training Links, including programme management and implementation, monitoring, and evaluation frameworks.   

• Proactively contributes and seeks feedback to and from the Senior Sector Skills Manager on areas for improvement and opportunity across all elements of the programme and fund.  

3. Support The Leadership Academy (TLA) Programmes  

• Delivers logistic and administrative support for TLA initiatives, including accredited leadership programmes, Breakfast Clubs events, CEO Masterclass, Skills Matter newsletter and website maintenance, plus other relevant programmes that may be developed.  

• Coordinates promotional campaigns associated with TLA programmes by producing and scheduling copy for the web, social media and newsletters, working closely with the TLA Manager.   

• Coordinates the promotion and selection process for bursary awards for selected TLA programmes. Liaising with applicants, TLA Manager and external course convenors.   

• Tracks programme participant details, event registrations and feedback to maintain quality standards. Reports figures to Senior Sector Skills Manager for NTF reporting.   

4. Event Planning & Management   

• Coordinates event logistics and vendor payments for TLA events and programme training days including Breakfast Clubs (online and in-person), Future Board Leaders online webinars and in-person training days, CEO Masterclasses (online and in-person).  

• Responsible for the event management of Training Links events, including venue, catering, scheduling, panellists, invitations, photography and vendor payments.    

• Provides any additional on-site/in-person event support when required, including attendee registration and venue coordination.  

5. Build Relationships & Support Organisational Goals  

• Maintains professional relationships with TLA Executive Education partners as their nominated agent, including promotion of course discounts, inclusion in Skills Matter and liaising on reporting figures, under the guidance of the TLA Manager.   

• Develops and maintains positive working relationships across all staff teams within The Wheel and participates in cross-organisational activities when required.   

• Protects The Wheel’s integrity through dedicated service to members while promoting the benefits of association.  

6. Summary of Remaining Responsibilities  

• Contribute to the effective operation and continuous improvement of the Skills team by supporting training and upskilling activities, sharing relevant knowledge and undertaking other responsibilities reasonably aligned with the purpose and scope of the role including supporting onboarding of new team members.   

 Person Specification  

Skills Required  

• Systems & Digital Capability: Uses digital tools and supports and CRM System (Salesforce) sufficiently to maintain accurate financial and participant records, track workflow, and WordPress to update webpages.  

• Planning & Coordination: Planning and organisational capability in order to effectively manage competing priorities, coordinate event logistics (venues, caterers, speakers), and deliver funding administration timelines.   

• Data Analysis & Numerical Accuracy: Spreadsheet capability sufficient to manage details and numerical files, track fund allocations, collate participant feedback and contribute to NTF reports accurately.   

• Communication & Stakeholder Management: Written and verbal communication skills sufficient to draft promotional campaign content, liaise with Training Links Network Coordinators, external vendors, Executive Education partners and others. Support collaborative working across The Wheel teams.  

Experience  

• Demonstrable experience of administrative and project coordination duties, preferably in a project-focused role within a community, voluntary, or similar environment.   

• Practical experience working with standard office software, database/CRM management (preferably Salesforce)  

• Demonstrable experience of event logistics coordination for small-mid size events, preferably within a community, voluntary, or nonprofit environment.    

Education   

• Knowledge of professional administration, project coordination, or a related discipline sufficient to deliver administrative and funding workflows, evidenced through relevant formal qualifications, equivalent learning, or demonstrable professional experience. There is no minimum mandatory qualification for this role.   

Key Behavioural Competencies  
The Wheel uses a Behavioural Competency Framework as a key cornerstone of its performance management processes. The priority behavioural competences identified for this role are:      

• Open Communication: Articulates clearly, practices active listening, proactively seeks clarification so that potential misunderstandings are resolved, and uses linking techniques to move conversations forward productively.  

• Collaborative Working: Cooperates across work areas, offers support where needed, creates an amicable environment, and speaks positively about working together.   

• Problem Solving: Foresees the need for action, raises issues clearly with practical solution suggestions, and builds collaboratively on team input.   

• Personal Accountability & Quality: Owns commitments, maintains complete and accurate work standards, and raises risks early to ensure consistent service quality.   

General Role Information  
Work Location: The Wheel’s office is located in Dublin 2. 
The Wheel is currently working a Hybrid Working Pilot and hybrid working is available to all employees. With this role, there will be a requirement to work from the office regularly, at least once per week subject to the needs of the organisation. This requirement to be in the office will be higher by necessity during probation. 

In general, this role requires the post holder to attend in-person meetings in Dublin and elsewhere on a regular basis. The role may require participation in meetings which can occur in the evenings and on weekends. Travel outside of the office is reimbursed according to our expenses policy. 

The Package
In addition to the annual gross salary for this role The Wheel also offers the following benefits: 

• A 6% employers' contribution to a company contributory pension scheme (subject to a mandatory 4% employee contribution) 

• Annual Leave of 21 days (prorated as necessary) 

• Closure of the office on Good Friday, Christmas Eve and the Christmas / New Year period which comes additional to annual leave entitlement 

• Death in Service benefit of four times salary 

• Further Education / Training investment programme 

• Professional subscriptions (as required by the role) 

• Travel (bike-to-work schemes/tax saver commuter tickets) 

A complete list of all the terms and conditions will be made available to the candidate offered the role through The Wheel’s Staff Handbook.