Graduate Programme 2025

Join to apply for the GAA Graduate Programme 2025 role at GAA

Join to apply for the GAA Graduate Programme 2025 role at GAA

Cumann Lthchleas Gael is Irelands leading sporting and cultural organisation with more than 500,000 playing participants at all levels, not to mention a large non-playing member base. Inspired by its amateur status and supported by the voluntary efforts of all its members, the GAA devotes its entire resources to the development of Gaelic Games and Culture nationally and in local communities.

Home of the GAA, Croke Park Stadium is Irelands foremost sporting and entertainment venue. Over 1,500,000 visitors are welcomed annually to national and international events and the Croke Park campus also features Croke Park Meetings & Events and GAA Museum & Tours.

What is the GAA Graduate Programme?

The GAA Graduate Programme 2025 is a full-time, paid learning and development initiative that offers graduates the opportunity to begin their careers at the heart of Irish sport and culture.

Based at Croke Park Stadium, the programme provides three exciting graduate roles, each offering real responsibility, professional mentorship, and the chance to work on high-impact projects within the GAA.

The Graduate Roles Available For August 2025 Are

• Cross-Departmental Graduate a rotational role across Marketing, Communications, and Sponsorship & Commercial
• Games Administration and Player Welfare Graduate supporting the delivery and governance of national competitions and fixtures and player welfare initiatives
• Finance Graduate contributing to the GAAs Finance Department with hands-on experience in core financial processes
  
  

The Cross-Departmental Graduate will rotate every four months through three key departments, gaining exposure to campaign development, digital strategy, media engagement, and brand partnerships.

Duration & Location:

The programme will run for a period of 12 months, commencing at the start of August 2025. For the Cross-Departmental Graduate, this includes three rotations (each lasting four months) across the GAAs Marketing, Communications, and Commercial departments.

All graduates will work a maximum of 35 hours per week. Standard hours are 9am5pm, Monday to Friday, with occasional evening or weekend work required (time off in lieu will apply).

Graduates will be based in the GAAs central office at Croke Park Stadium, sharing space with GAA and stadium employees. On occasion, work may take place off-site at agency offices, match venues, or promotional events. Hybrid working arrangements are also available.

What will Programme Participants learn?

A lot and quickly.

The GAA is at the heart of Irish life, with over 1,600 clubs, a growing global footprint, and over 500,000 registered players. Supporting this vibrant ecosystem takes more than passion it takes well-organised, highly skilled teams across Marketing, Communications, Sponsorship, Finance and Games Administration.

As a GAA Graduate, you wont just observe youll become part of those teams, gaining first-hand experience and contributing meaningfully to the day-to-day and strategic delivery of Gaelic Games at national level.

Cross-Departmental Graduate

This Three-part Rotation Offers Broad Exposure To How The GAA Promotes, Protects, And Commercialises Its Games And Brand. Youll Rotate Every Four Months, Gaining Practical, Real-time Experience In Each Area

Marketing

• Campaign research and concept development
• Branding, media planning and content creation
• TV, radio, print, digital and social media platforms
• Match-day activations and local community outreach
• Graphic design and creative development
  
  

Communications

• Writing press releases and stakeholder messaging
• Managing media events and interviews
• Responding to public/media queries
• Executing digital communications strategies
• Supporting internal and external engagement
  
  

Commercial (Sponsorship)

• Supporting partner servicing and rights delivery
• Managing relationships with key sponsors (e.g. AIB, SuperValu, Allianz)
• Assisting with event activations and benefit fulfilment
• Researching and approaching new commercial partners
  
  

Youll be actively involved in campaigns and events including the All-Ireland Championships, Croke Park sustainability initiatives, the GAA Museum & Tours, and more.

Finance Graduate

Based within the GAA Finance Department at Croke Park, this role offers a practical introduction to finance within a large, multi-faceted organisation.

Youll Learn How To

• Record and process financial transactions and gain an appreciation of the importance of timely and accurate data capture into the General ledger
• Complete monthly bank, balance sheet and trade reconciliations
• Manage travel and expense claims
• Assist with budget preparation and the monthly accounts reporting process to established timelines
• Assist with year-end audit processes focussing on timely and accurate data provision on audit requests
• Use accounting systems (Dynamics) and Excel for financial analysis
• Support ad hoc financial reporting and provide admin support to the Finance Director
  
  

Youll leave with valuable insight into corporate finance, reporting standards and financial operations in a not-for-profit environment.

Games Administration and Player Welfare Graduate

The Games Administration team manages the nuts and bolts of fixtures, results, player eligibility, discipline and player welfare. This role offers a front-row seat to how our competitions are structured and delivered.

Youll Gain Experience In

• Fixture planning, scheduling and results management
• Competition documentation and system updates
• Match-day logistics (e.g. running orders, accreditation, referee liaison)
• Player welfare, eligibility and disciplinary procedures
• Supporting clubs, counties, provinces and match officials
• General games administration and stakeholder engagement
  
  

Youll help ensure the smooth running of national competitions and gain a deep understanding of the administrative backbone of Gaelic Games.

Graduate Consultation & Feedback

Ongoing guidance and feedback are central to the success of all three graduate roles whether youre rotating through departments or embedded in a specialist team.

Throughout the 12-month programme, graduates will receive regular informal feedback from their line managers and mentors, helping them grow in confidence and competence in their role. A formal end-of-programme review will also take place to reflect on your progress, learning, and next steps.

This structure ensures that no matter which role youre in, youll receive clear, constructive and consistent feedback to help you make the most of your graduate experience.

On-boarding

On day one, the on-boarding managers will bring their new Department member through the various functions, provide a tour of the stadium and adjoining office space, and introduce them to the rest of the staff.

Programme Co-Ordinator/Steering Group

All GAA Graduates will be supported by experienced professionals who are committed to helping them succeed and grow throughout their time with the organisation.

• Cross-Departmental Graduates will report to the Programme Co-ordinator the Head of GAA Marketing or a designated representative. During each rotation, day-to-day supervision will be provided by the relevant departmental lead:
  • Communications: Director of Communications
  • Commercial: Commercial & Sponsorship Manager
  • Marketing: Marketing Manager or assigned mentor Graduates in this role will also benefit from informal mentoring across all three departments.
  • Finance Graduate will report to the Finance Director and work closely with the wider Finance team. Day-to-day support and supervision will be provided by a senior finance team member.
  • Games Administration Graduate will report to theDirector of Player Club and Games Administrationor a nominated manager. They will work as part of the central team delivering fixtures, competition support, and governance.
    
    
  Across all roles, mentoring and structured guidance will be a key part of your development, ensuring youre supported in gaining valuable skills and insight throughout the programme.
  
  Payment
  
  The programme participants shall receive payment for the duration of the period. In return, it is anticipated that they will work at a level befitting of their experience and enjoy being a member of one of the hardest working teams in Irish sport
  
  Applicant Criteria
  
  We are now inviting applications for the 2025 GAA Graduate Programme, which includes three graduate opportunities:
  • Cross-Departmental Graduate (Marketing, Communications & Commercial)
  • Finance Graduate
  • Games Administration Graduate
    
    
  Applicants Must Hold Or Be On Track To Complete a Relevant Third-level Degree In One Of The Following (or Related) Areas
  • Cross-Departmental Role: Marketing, Communications, Business, Media, Sport Management, or a related discipline
  • Finance Role: Accounting, Finance, Economics, or Business with a finance focus
  • Games Administration Role: Sports Management, Business, Law, Public Administration, or another relevant field
    
    
  Final-year students who will have completed their degrees before the programme start date are welcome to apply.
  
  Please note: The programme will commence in early August 2025 at Croke Park Stadium. Applicants must have completed all studies (including exams, placements, or outstanding modules) prior to the start date. Unfortunately, we cannot consider candidates who will still be completing academic requirements beyond this date
  
  Essential Criteria
  
  Hold (or be due to complete by August 2025) a third-level degree in a relevant field:
  • Cross-Departmental: Marketing, Communications, Business, Media, or related
  • Finance: Accounting, Finance, Business with a finance stream, or related
  • Games Administration: Sports Management, Arts, Business, or similar
    
  A strong knowledge of, and interest in, the GAA and the role of Croke Park
  
  Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work well in a team
  
  Proactive, enthusiastic and self-motivated, with strong attention to detail
  
  Strong organisational and IT skills (e.g. Microsoft Office; Excel in particular for Finance role)
  
  Fully available to start the programme in early August 2025 and commit to the 12-month term
  
  Cross-Departmental
  
  Desirable Criteria:
  • Experience with digital content, media, or storytelling
  • Familiarity with marketing or communication tools/platforms
  • Interest in domestic and international trends in sport and sponsorship
    
    
  Finance
  • Familiarity with accounting software (e.g. Sage or similar)
  • Knowledge of budgeting, reconciliations or reporting processes
    
    
  Games Administration
  • Understanding of GAA rules, fixtures, competition structures and eligibility protocols
  • Experience with sports administration, logistics, or operations (e.g. volunteering or placements)
    
    
  Application Process
  
  To apply for one of the GAA Graduate roles starting in August 2025, please email your application to:
  
  Make sure to clearly state the role you're applying for in the subject line:
  • 2025 GAA Graduate Programme [Your Full Name] (for the Cross-Departmental role)
  • 2025 Finance Graduate [Your Full Name]
  • 2025 Games Administration Graduate [Your Full Name]
    
    
  Applications can be in the form of a CV, cover note, slide presentation or any other format, which the applicant feels best presents his/her fit for the programme and ability to undertake the associated challenges.
  
  Aside from details of qualification(s), applicants are advised to include in their application details of any other experiences or interests that they feel would be of relevance to the programme and, as a result, lead to a positive contribution to the GAA as a whole.
  
  The deadline for submission of applications in respect of the 2025 GAA Graduate Programme is 5pm on Sunday 22nd June 2024.
  
  The GAA is an equal opportunities employer.Seniority level
  • Seniority levelInternship
  Employment type
  • Employment typeFull-time
  Job function
  • Job functionEducation and Training

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