Q1 2025 Talent Trends: Key Priorities in Recreation & Sport
Recreation and Sports accounted for 7% of all recorded roles in Q1 2025, highlighting an active and expanding subsector within Ireland’s nonprofit landscape. From 2025 onwards, we’ve updated our data collection methods for sporting roles, offering a more accurate and detailed insight into employment trends and strategic priorities shaping the sports industry nationwide.
- The inclusion of high-level executive appointments—such as Chief Executive Officers, General Managers, and Finance Directors—demonstrates a strong, sector-wide focus on organisational development and strategic leadership. These leadership roles signal a shift toward structured, strategically guided sports programmes with greater oversight and long-term vision.
- A significant portion of roles in this period focus on enhancing the sporting experience for both participation and performance. The sector is prioritising high-quality programme delivery to benefit elite athletes and community participants alike.
- Appointments in communications, marketing, digital strategy, brand management, and diversity and inclusion underscore a push toward broader participation and inclusive access. These strategic roles support organisations in shaping public engagement, building cross-sector partnerships, and ensuring their initiatives resonate across diverse demographics and communities.
- The rise in fundraising and development roles highlights a growing focus on financial sustainability. In response to uncertain public funding, sport organisations are actively pursuing philanthropic support, corporate sponsorships, and community giving to diversify their income streams.
- Meanwhile, roles centred around digital engagement reflect increasing investment in technology and innovation. These positions are transforming how sport is delivered, accessed, and experienced—aligning with wider trends in digital transformation across the nonprofit sector.
Together, these findings show that the Sports and Recreation subsector in Ireland is undergoing professionalisation, strategic evolution, and a shift towards inclusion. Career opportunities in sport now extend beyond the field, encompassing areas such as executive leadership, operations, marketing, fundraising, and technology.
Explore Further: Nonprofit Talent Trends Q1 2025
To read our full thematic analysis of nonprofit talent trends in Q1 2025, please visit our website here.
Contact Us
Our Talent Management Team tracks senior nonprofit roles and publishes quarterly trend reports. To explore previous quarterly insights, visit here. For more information or to discuss current opportunities, please contact Shannon Barrett, Head of Talent Services, at shannon.barrett@2into3.com.
