Meitheal Mara, Cork’s Community Boatyard, is seeking a versatile and talented leader to guide the organisation through the next exciting phase of its evolution. The role requires a motivated, enthusiastic individual with exceptional inter-personal and collaborative skills, organisational ability, integrity, a strong social conscience and an affinity for boats and the sea.

Meitheal Mara:

Meitheal Mara is a Cork-based organisation with a national reach. It was founded in 1993 to promote and foster maritime culture and activities and social inclusion. These objects are achieved through community boating programmes, employment and partnerships. The work has a particular emphasis on currachs and other traditional boats.

Activities take place in the Meitheal Mara boat yard workshop; on the River Lee and Cork Harbour; via the maritime events office; and through research and publications. Programme funding comes from the Community Services Programme, UBU Your Place Your Space, the Back to Education Initiative, Cork City Council, Cork County Council, HSE Section 39 and the Community Employment Scheme. Enterprise activities include woodwork and boat building; training services; boating and river services; festivals and events; and maritime heritage research projects. Annual turnover is c. € 500 k.

Meitheal Mara’s highlight each year is the annual Ocean to City Án Ras Mór – Ireland’s largest and most inclusive rowing race and the anchor event of the week-long Cork Harbour Festival. Cork City has been selected to host the 2025 European Maritime Day, the EU’s flagship annual maritime event, and we are working with Cork City Council to link the Festival in with the EMD celebrations.

Plans for the future centre on an integrated Maritime Hub for Cork City as a base for Meitheal Mara and partner boating organisations. As an objective in the Cork City Development Plan 2022 – 2028, the Hub will provide a key piece of maritime infrastructure in Cork Docklands for the city’s growing population. It is integral to Meitheal Mara’s strategic plan.

Position Description:

The General Manager is the most senior employee of Meitheal Mara, supported by a management team of five and a full staff complement of 25 people. We have additional help from c. 350 volunteers annually. Join us as the head of the team and provide the inspirational leadership and vision to ensure Meitheal Mara operates professionally to achieve its Objectives; to support the Board in meeting best practice standards in governance; to uphold the established ethos and reputation of Meitheal Mara; and to ensure the continued sustainable growth and progression of the company.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategy and Sustainability

• Co-ordinate and implement planned programmes and activities. Activities include woodwork and boat building training; Bádoireacht youth boating (incorporating the longboat, Fionnbarra); Ocean to City Án Ras Mór; Cork Harbour Festival; Interfirm Dragon Boat Challenges; maritime heritage research projects and social enterprise craftwork and services.
• Support the Board, its sub-committees and working groups in the development of policy by identifying emerging needs and legal and regulatory requirements.
• Ensure the Board is provided with all information required to ensure the accountability and sustainability of the company.
• Work with the Board to identify funding sources, apply for grants, secure sponsorships and generate new income streams.
• Support Meitheal Mara’s work with inter-agency partnerships and networks in Cork and nationally (eg, Cesca, Cooperation Ireland Cork, Cork Learning City, Let’s Play Cork).
• Develop and manage Meitheal Mara’s relationship with stakeholders and external bodies, and in particular those associated with the development of the new Cork Maritime Centre/Hub.

Staff

• Lead and support the Senior Management Team with oversight of, and ultimate responsibility for, the running of the workshop, on the water activities, events, and cultural and heritage projects. Delegate responsibility to the Senior Management Team as appropriate.
• Support the Board of Directors in its duty of care to Meitheal Mara’s employees by liaising with the Human Resources Committee and ensuring all necessary policies and procedures are in place, are appropriate, comply with the law and are communicated on an ongoing basis to the entire workforce.
• Manage employment matters such as annual reviews, conditions of service and annual leave.
• Support all staff members and ensure duties are correctly performed, adequate resources are in place and provide regular guidance and feedback via annual appraisals. Identify and facilitate training needs to enhance performance.
• Build a culture within the organisation to ensure Meitheal Mara’s ethos of treating all people equally, with respect and dignity, is understood and upheld throughout the workforce.

Finances

• Ensure preparation of annual, quarterly and programme budgets in co-ordination with relevant office staff and senior managers.
• Manage the company’s budgeted expenditure throughout the year to ensure agreed targets are met.
  Ensure accurate and timely financial records and reports are furnished for Meitheal Mara and its associated programmes.
• Manage the financial and cash-flow projections for Meitheal Mara.
• Ensure annual accounts are prepared and audited.
• Work with the Board to plan and organise fundraising strategies and events. 

Health and Safety

• Oversee the implementation and updating of Meitheal Mara’s Health and Safety Policy to ensure employees, volunteers, course participants and visitors are protected from accident or ill-health.
• Ensure all appropriate insurances are in place.
• Manage the overall maintenance and upkeep of Meitheal Mara’s premises, equipment and fleet of boats.