Vacancy: Freelance weekend writer and social media operative

Basketball Ireland is inviting applications for a weekend freelance writer and social media operative, working with the Media and Communications team.

Reporting to:

Head of Communications, Media and Digital

Role Duties:

Basketball Ireland is looking for somebody to assist the Media and Communications team. It is a freelance role, working two days a week at weekends during the Irish domestic basketball season, which runs from late September to April. Occasional additional midweek work may be required, subject to agreement between Basketball Ireland and the chosen candidate.

Basketball Ireland is seeking a candidate to primarily write game and press release content, while also maintaining Basketball Ireland’s website and social media channels. They will have the ability to demonstrate a high level of attention to detail, as well as keen eye for a story and create engaging social media posts/content.

Working closely with the Head of Communications, Media and Digital, they will assist in all communications and media relations for Basketball Ireland, both internal and external.

Duties will include, but not limited to:

• Writing previews, game reports, press releases and in-house documentation
• Producing content for Basketball Ireland’s social media channels
• Dealing with both internal and external stakeholders, helping build and maintain effective working relationships
• Help create new and innovative ways to promote and market Irish basketball
• Other general media and marketing tasks including, but not exclusive to, working with Head of Communications, Media and Digital to support live TV broadcasts and management of media, photographers, commentary and game streaming
• Working as a core part of a team, to ensure the smooth running of Basketball Ireland-hosted events
• Providing support to other Basketball Ireland departments and Irish international teams

Candidate requirements:

• Strong writing and communication skills
• Knowledge of content management systems, such as WordPress
• A passion for social media and proven ability to create content
• Working knowledge of editing software, eg. Adobe
• A third level qualification in Media/Communications/Journalism, or any other relevant discipline
• Experience in a similar role is desired, but not necessary
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with experience in dealing with media contacts and the volunteer base of an organisation
• Knowledge of the sports media scene in Ireland is desired, but not essential
• Excellent organisational, scheduling and planning skills, with attention to detail
• Available to work on weekends during the Irish domestic basketball season
• A team player and flexibility in working hours – as stated above, this role is predominantly on weekends
• A full, clean, driving license. The successful candidate must also have their own mode of transport for travel to and from games at weekends
• A working knowledge of sport, ideally basketball, is desired

PLEASE NOTE:

This part-time in-season weekend contract role is a combination of remote/on-location/office-based working. Basketball Ireland’s office is located at the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght, Dublin 24.

How to Apply:

Applications for the role must include:

• Brief cover letter
• CV
• Links to examples of journalism work, if applicable, or a sample basketball game report of approximately 300 words
• Links to any previous social media content produced

Applications should be sent by email to Basketball Ireland Head of Communications, Media and Digital, Nathaniel Cope, at ncope@ireland.basketball on or before 1700 on Friday, September 19th, 2025.