At-a-Glance

• Company: Sanctuary Runners
• Position: Chief Executive
• City: Remote (Ireland) – regular national travel; occasional international travel
• Country: Ireland
• Categories: Leadership
• Hours: Full-time
• Reporting To: Chairperson & Board of Directors
• Direct Reports: Small multi-disciplinary team (staff & volunteers)
• Expiry Date (Closing Date): Friday, 10 October 2025
• Salary & Benefits (summary): €80,000 salary; Pension up to 10%; 25 days annual leave; Fully remote

Overview

Sanctuary Runners Sanctuary Runners is an innovative, award-winning, solidarity-through-sport organisation which uses running, jogging, walking and other sporting activities to bring everyone in the community together - including migrants and especially those seeking international protection and refugee status.

The Chief Executive will lead the next phase of growth: setting vision and strategy, representing the movement nationally and internationally, and ensuring a nimble, values-led organisation that is well-run, sustainable and impactful.

About the Organisation

Founded in Cork in 2018, Sanctuary Runners now supports 40+ community groups across Ireland and has an international presence through the Global Solidarity Run and Sanctuary Runners GB. With a small staff team supporting a wide volunteer network, the model improves social connection and health while championing integration through solidarity, friendship and respect.

You can find more information about us here.

Key Responsibilities and Duties

Strategic Leadership

• Establish, communicate and operationalise a vision for the future of Sanctuary Runners.
• Lead the development, implementation and review of the Sanctuary Runners strategic plan and implementation plans, ensuring an impact management approach across the organisation.
• Communicate the organisation’s strategic direction with internal and external stakeholders.
• Regularly review the external environment and make recommendations to the board about developing challenges and opportunities.

Funding & Partnerships

• Develop, maintain, and deepen relationships with the organisation’s key stakeholders, including communities, sporting governing authorities, government departments, and donors.
• Identify and secure new partnership opportunities that align with the organisation’s strategy.
• Develop sustainable sources of core funding; build positive relationships with funding bodies.

Operational & Financial Leadership

• With the support of the management team, overseeing all Sanctuary Runners activities and day-to-day operations in a way that is consistent with organisational values, strategic goals and performance indicators to ensure a smoothly functioning and efficient organisation that is fit for purpose.
• Lead and direct the financial planning, forecasting, control, reporting and management of the organisation's finances and resources.
• Ensure that financial resources are managed effectively and that Sanctuary Runners CLG remains in good financial health, identifying risks and taking appropriate action.
• Oversee the development and implementation of effective HR policies and procedures in line with best practice and employment legislation.

Representation & Promotion

• Effectively promote the ethos, values, and strategy of the Sanctuary Runners to all its stakeholders.
• Represent the Sanctuary Runners nationally and internationally.
• Build the external reputation of Sanctuary Runners and visibility for our activities with the goal of promoting community integration.

Staff & Organisational Development

• Build a strong organisation with a vibrant culture, aligned with the mission, vision and strategy of Sanctuary Runners.
• Recognising that Sanctuary Runners is a dispersed organisation of volunteer groups, provide ongoing leadership, mentoring and development opportunities to staff and volunteer leaders, and foster the ethos and values of the Sanctuary Runners among staff, board and volunteers.
• Develop effective and flexible staff teams.

Governance & Compliance

• Ensure financial compliance and robust procurement and risk management processes.
• Ensure that all policies, practices and procedures comply with regulatory and legislative requirements.
• Work with the board to enable it to fulfil its governance functions and enable optimum performance by the board, and any sub-committees and working groups.

About You – Experience & Competencies

• Values-led, strategic leader with a track record of delivering growth and impact in a charity, social enterprise or relevant sector.
• Experience securing funding (grants, philanthropy, partnerships) and stewarding key stakeholders.
• Financial acumen and people leadership skills to scale an early-stage organisation responsibly.
• Excellent communicator and relationship-builder; credible advocate for inclusion and integration.
• Innovative, resilient and adaptable; combines strategic thinking with hands-on delivery.

Values & Behaviours

• Passion for the mission; integrity and ethical mindset.
• Collaborative, empathetic and relationship-driven.
• Outcome-focused; proactive and continuously learning.

Terms & Benefits

• Salary: €80,000 per annum
• Contract: Full-time; fully remote (with national/international travel as required)
• Annual Leave: 25 days
• Pension: Employer contribution up to 10%

How to Apply

The process is managed by Mantra Strategy. Please submit your CV and cover letter to lisanicole@mantrastrategy.ie by Friday, 10 October 2025. Informal enquiries are welcome in confidence to Lisa‑Nicole Dunne (+353 86 834 8666).