Sligo Festival Collective seeks Project Co-Ordinator

We are seeking to hire an experienced Project Coordinator on a part-time, freelance basis over a 12-month period to support the formal development of the Sligo Town Festival Collective. This role will acknowledge and support the significant administrative and strategic work required to establish the Collective as a formal, functioning entity.

This pilot initiative is focused specifically on Sligo Town, as it forms part of the Sligo Town Night-Time Economy (NTE) Pilot Initiative, supported by the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport and delivered in partnership by Sligo BID and Sligo County Council. The concentration on Sligo Town reflects the strategic goals of this national pilot to develop models for vibrant and sustainable cultural activity in town centres.

However, the Festival Collective is open to membership from festivals across County Sligo, encouraging broader collaboration, shared learning, and long-term countywide connectivity.

This is a once-off, funded role for Year One only. It is designed to ensure that the core groundwork—such as governance, structure, systems, and shared strategy—is successfully completed. Once established, the duties of the coordinator will be significantly reduced. Therefore, from Year Two onward, the role will become voluntary and rotate among member festivals as part of a shared, sustainable model.

 

Objectives

  • Formally establish the Sligo Town Festival Collective as a recognised organisation.
  • Strengthen collaboration among local festivals through improved coordination, communication, and shared strategic planning.
  • Increase access to funding and shared infrastructure via joint funding applications and stakeholder partnerships.

 

Scope of Work

The Coordinator will be responsible for the following key areas:

  1. Organisational Setup
  • Establish the Collective as a formal organisation.
  • Draft a constitution or memorandum & articles.
  • Facilitate agreement on governance structure.
  • Manage registration processes, if applicable.
  1. Financial Setup
  • Open a dedicated bank account for the Collective.
  • Complete necessary paperwork and registration steps.
  • Identify appropriate signatories and establish financial controls.
  1. Administrative Coordination (12 Months)
  • Act as Secretary to the Collective for the duration of the engagement.
  • Organise and facilitate regular meetings (quarterly or as agreed).
  • Prepare and circulate agendas, take minutes, and track action items.
  • Maintain documentation and administrative records.
  1. Funding Support
  • Complete and submit a LEADER application to support strategic development. Note all festivals who wish to participate in an application will have to contribute required data, information etc. as required.
  • Prepare a Clann Credo application to explore social finance opportunities.
  1. Stakeholder Engagement & Collaboration
  • Liaise with Sligo BID and Sligo County Council to explore partnership opportunities.
  • Research and propose options for shared infrastructure or collective resources.
  • Map out common challenges and identify opportunities for collaboration.

 

Key Requirements

The ideal candidate will have:

  • Proven experience working with festivals, cultural initiatives, or community projects.
  • Strong administrative, coordination, and financial management skills.
  • The ability to work independently while facilitating group collaboration.
  • Status as a self-employed or freelance contractor (not an employee).
  • Direct knowledge of the Sligo town festival landscape, with a requirement to currently produce or manage a Sligo-based town festival or event on an annual basis.

 

Application Process

To apply for this role, candidates must submit to Edel on edel@sligobid.ie:

  • An up-to-date CV
  • A cover letter (maximum 1 page) outlining their relevant experience and suitability for the position

Deadline for applications: 5:00pm, Thursday 31st October 2025
All applicants will be notified in early November, with the role expected to commence mid-November 2025.

 

Budget Breakdown

Total Budget: €5,000 (inclusive of all fees and expenses)

This fee covers approximately 150–180 hours of freelance work across 12 months (averaging 3–4 hours/week). The rate reflects the time-intensive foundational work involved in setting up the organisation and supporting strategic planning.

 

Important Note on Role Duration and Funding

This is a 12-month, once-off funded position to support the formation of the Collective. The funding is for Year One only, with no extension or continuation of funding beyond this initial setup phase.

After the first year:

  • The administrative and coordination workload is expected to be significantly reduced.
  • The role will become voluntary and rotate annually among member festivals.
  • Templates, systems, and structures established during Year One will ensure the smooth handover and continuity of duties.

This model balances the need for professional expertise in the setup phase with a realistic, sustainable approach for long-term operations.

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