Work with Us

Board Member

Position: Board member

Role type: Voluntary (unpaid)

Time commitment: The board meets 6-7 times annually

Closing date for applications: 5pm on Friday 11 June 2026

About the Irish Writers Centre

Founded in 1991, the Irish Writers Centre is the national resource organisation for Irish writers, supporting writers of all types and at all stages of their careers. From its historic home at 19 Parnell Square, Dublin, the Centre delivers over 150 creative writing courses and masterclasses annually, alongside island-wide development programmes such as the National Mentoring Programme, residencies, bursaries and more. Championing contemporary Irish literature through events, festivals and performances, the Centre plays a vital role in Ireland’s thriving literary landscape and remains a welcoming space for anyone with a story to tell. Community remains at the heart of our strategy which underlines our ambition to foster connections between writers across this island.

This is a particularly exciting time for the organisation as we celebrate the last 35 years and implement the final year of our 2022-2026 Strategy link here.

Who are we seeking?

The Irish Writers Centre is seeking to add a new member to its Board of Directors to build on its current skill-set of board expertise. We are actively looking for writers* who are engaged in the literary community on the island of Ireland. We encourage writers at any stage and any genre/form to apply for this role.

We particularly welcome applications from candidates who come from backgrounds and communities that are traditionally underrepresented in the literature sector.

*Writers will need to consider their involvement carefully as Board members cannot be employed by the Irish Writers Centre in any capacity – for example as a course facilitator or conducting a masterclass – for the duration of their term.

The Board of Directors is responsible for:

  • Setting strategies and ensuring their implementation is delegated effectively to the executive team
  • Overseeing and maintaining the financial health of the organisation
  • Ensuring the highest standards of governance and transparency
  • The appointment of senior executives to the organisation

Directors of the board are both company directors and charity trustees and should understand the legal duties of the role, as explained by the Charities Regulator and the Arts Council’s Practical Guide for Board Members of Arts Organisations. Directors are responsible for the strategic direction of the organisation and for ensuring the highest standards of governance are upheld, in accordance with the Charities Governance Code.

Time commitment

Board members are elected for a maximum of two three-year terms. The Irish Writers Centre is a registered charity and this is a voluntary and unpaid position. The board meets 6-7 times annually, including the annual general meeting. The meetings happen on a weekday between 6-30pm-8.30pm at the Irish Writers Centre. Board members are invited to attend Irish Writers Centre events where possible. We welcome applications from people with previous board or trustee experience but this is not essential.

Further information on our current board, governance and other policies can be found on our site.

How to Apply

  • A brief statement/cover letter outlining how your background and experience meets the requirements of the organisation as detailed above, as well as a summary of your relevant experience, and how you can contribute to Irish Writers Centre’s mission.
  •  Attach your CV or biography (a statement outlining your arts practice or roles, responsibilities and achievements). If relevant, please include details of any service as a board Director, Trustee or any other voluntary/community work, but please note that no previous experience as a board Director or Trustee is required.

Please compile all the specified documents into a single attachment as a WORD Doc or a PDF. Applications should be submitted by 5pm on Friday 11 June 2026 by email to  management@irishwriterscentre.ie.

Board appointments will be skills and experience based, and should the open call process not yield candidates with the required skills and experience, the company reserves the right to make direct appointments of appropriately qualified individuals.

 

Front of House Assistant

Contract: Part-time, 15 hours per week

Contract is for approx. six months from the week beginning 6 July 2026 to Friday 11 December 2026. Contract is specifically for hours to be worked on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings and all day Saturday.

Remuneration: €15.40 per hour

Reporting to: Deputy Chief Executive Officer with Office Administrator as line manager

Location: Irish Writers Centre, 19 Parnell Square, Dublin 1, D01 E102. Please note the post-holder will need to be Dublin-based to carry out the duties of this position.

 

About the Irish Writers Centre

Founded in 1991, the Irish Writers Centre is the national resource organisation for Irish writers, supporting writers of all types and at all stages of their careers. From its historic home at 19 Parnell Square, Dublin, the Centre delivers over 150 creative writing courses and masterclasses annually, alongside free island-wide development programmes such as the National Mentoring Programme, residencies, bursaries and more. Championing contemporary Irish literature through events, festivals and performances, the Centre plays a vital role in Ireland’s thriving literary landscape and remains a welcoming space for anyone with a story to tell.

 

Role summary

The Irish Writers Centre is a busy building with a variety of users passing through our doors each week.

We require a highly motivated and enthusiastic individual, who has a genuine interest and passion for writers and literature to join our team in welcoming everyone who uses our building. A keen interest in working in a public facing environment together with excellent organisational and communication skills is essential. This role requires empathy and understanding of the needs of the professional, emerging and beginner writers and organisations that are supported by the Irish Writers Centre. Previous experience is welcome but not essential as training will be provided.

Please note that whilst this is a fixed term contract there may be the option to renew it.

As a member of a small hard-working team the position is a key ambassadorial role for the Irish Writers Centre.

 

Responsibilities

The Front of House Assistant role involves acting as the Irish Writers Centre’s Front-of-House person. This means taking responsibility for our building and the people using our services. Responsibilities include:

 

  • Welcoming the people using our services to our building
  • Ensuring the safety and wellbeing of the people using our services while in our building
  • Ensuring our building and spaces are in good order
  • Maintaining the security of the building (this includes the opening and closing of the building which involves an alarm system with the Front of House Assistant acting as a keyholder)
  • Dealing with enquiries from the general public via phone, email or in person
  • Managing the emergency procedures (ensuring fire exits are clear, coordinating an evacuation in the event of a fire)
  • Assist with room set-up (set-up projectors, whiteboards, etc.) and technical preparation (printing) for courses and events as well as liaising with the room users
  • Assist with preparing and serving refreshments when required by Office Administrator
  • Putting the spaces back in order (including light cleaning) after courses and events when required by the Office Administrator
  • Supporting the team with general administrative tasks

 

Essential Criteria/who we are looking for?

  • Proven ability to work in a busy environment, and within a team with a strong attention to detail and good at multi-tasking
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Excellent interpersonal skills including flexibility, empathy and positivity
  • A strong interest in and understanding of Arts and Culture
  • Computer literate with a good understanding of MS Word, Excel and Outlook
  • Strong command of English
  • The ability to occasionally life and carry equipment/furnitue weighing up to max 10kg (22lb) to facilitate room setup
  • The ability to work on your own as well as part of a team
  • Willing and able to work flexibly due to the nature of this role, as weekly working hours may vary to meet the operational needs of the organisation

 

Application Process

The application will comprise of:

  • A cover letter which concisely outlines the key skills and qualities which you will bring to the role of Front of House Assistant relating how your experience has prepared you for the key challenges of this role and how your skills and experience align with the requirements of the role.
  • A Curriculum Vitae, including the names and contact details of two referees (email and mobile number; referees will only be contacted in the case that candidates make the final shortlist).

 

Applications, by email only, should be submitted to the attention of Teerth Chungh, Deputy CEO at management@irishwriterscentre.ie with Application for Front of House Assistant in the subject line. 

It is essential that both of the above stated documents are collated into a single word or pdf attachment.

The Irish Writers Centre is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to improving access to our services.

The Irish Writers Centre, is currently housed in 19 Parnell Square, Dublin 1 which is a Georgian building across five floors and is not suitable for those with mobility impairments. There is no lift in the building and it is not currently wheelchair accessible.

 

Closing Date

The closing date for applications is Sunday 14 June 2026.

 

Interviews

Interviews will be held in person at the Irish Writers Centre on Monday 22 and Tuesday 23 June 2026. Applicants selected for interview will be expected to be available on these dates.