IACAT Chief Executive Officer 

Job Description 

Organisation: Irish Association of Creative Arts Therapists (IACAT)

Reports to: IACAT elected Council & IACAT CLG Board of Directors 

Contract: 1 year rolling contract, on a contractor basis, subject to funding 

Hours: approximately 10 hours per week 

Location: Remote and/or Dublin (with occasional in-person meetings as required) 

Start Date: January or February 2026 

About the IACAT The Irish Association of Creative Arts Therapists (IACAT) is the professional organisation representing Art, Dance Movement, Drama, Expressive Arts and Music Therapists in Ireland. IACAT works to ensure high professional standards, provide support for members, and advocate for greater recognition of Creative Arts Therapies nationally and internationally. Following the decision of members at the 2025 AGM, IACAT is transitioning into a Company Limited by Guarantee (CLG) and restructuring into five modality branches. As part of this growth, we are now seeking to appoint our first Chief Executive Officer (CEO). 

What IACAT offers 

• Flexible and remote working: The role is primarily remote, with flexible hours to support work–life balance.
• Meaningful and rewarding work: An opportunity to contribute to the growth and professional recognition of Creative Arts Therapies in Ireland.
• Collaborative Working Environment: A professional, friendly and collaborative working environment where the work matters, and the atmosphere remains open, respectful, and approachable.
• Practical support: A company laptop and mobile phone will be provided, along with reimbursement of approved travel expenses for in-person meetings or events.

Role 

IACAT is seeking a dynamic and strategic Chief Executive Officer to lead the organisation into its next phase of growth. Working with the Board, Council, and members, the CEO will strengthen IACAT’s visibility, capacity, and influence—promoting the professional recognition of Creative Arts Therapies and enhancing services for members. As head of a non-profit and Company Limited by Guarantee (CLG), the CEO will ensure effective day-to-day management, sound governance, legal compliance, and operational excellence. In partnership with the IACAT Council and Operations Manager, the CEO will deliver on strategic objectives, support the professional community, and secure IACAT’s long-term sustainability through advocacy, partnerships, and funding development. 

This is a part-time position requiring focused, efficient leadership with strong skills in governance, administration, and organisational development. 

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Advocacy 

• Work consistently in a manner that is aligned with IACAT’s vision: greater recognition of Creative Arts Therapies, stronger standards, expanded membership and influence within health, education, policy and community sectors.
• Act as IACAT’s public representative with government departments (like Department of Education, HSE, CORU), funders, professional bodies, education providers, media and external partners.
• Lead advocacy work toward statutory recognition and parity of Creative Arts Therapists with Allied Health Professionals.
• Oversee brand, communications and stakeholder engagement: raise awareness of Creative Arts Therapies, support member recruitment and public understanding. 

Governance & Organisational Growth 

• Work with the Board to finalise the transition to CLG status, and continually ensure IACAT operates in line with its Constitution and Companies Limited by Guarantee (CLG) requirements as a non-profit.
• Refine constitutional and governance frameworks (Directors, CEO role, membership structures).
• Working alongside the council Treasurer and IACAT accountant, ensure robust operational and financial management: preparing budgets, monitor performance, risk management, reporting to Board, overseeing compliance with the Companies Registration Office (CRO) and Revenue filings.  
• Lead operations and infrastructure: IT systems (eg membership database) data governance, compliance(eg, Garda vetting, GDPR), policies and procedures.
• Collaborate with Council, staff (eg operations manager, admin assistant) and contractors (e.g. Polyphony staff, Accountant, Web developers etc) and ensure the team is aligned, motivated and effective.
• Ensure value for money and accountability in all IACAT’s activities. 

Member Services & Quality Assurance  

• Ensure IACAT continues to deliver value to its members through clear, consistent and transparent communication: accreditation oversight, CPD events, networking, website updates, member communications, member support services.
• Maintain rigorous standards of professional practice in collaboration with Council and Sub-committees: review and update the Code of Professional Conduct & Ethics, accreditation processes, training standards for masters programmes.
• Support the IACAT journal (Polyphony) and research initiatives: support publication, knowledge exchange, dissemination of evidence for Creative Arts Therapies. 

Financial Sustainability & Business Development

• Develop diversified income streams: membership subscriptions, CPD/event revenue, organisational members, potential fundraising/grants, sponsorship and partnerships.
• Review membership fee structures and administrative fee models in line with organisational growth and cost base (as reviewed by Council).
• Monitor cost efficiency of operations, ensure staffing and overheads are sustainable and appropriate for current and projected scale.

Person Specification Essential 

• Senior leadership experience (5+ years?) in membership-based association, professional body, or non-profit environment.  
• Strong strategic thinker with proven ability to set and deliver organisational strategy, growth and transformation.
• Excellent stakeholder management: experience working with boards, committees, cross-sector partners, and funders.
• Excellent communication & advocacy skills: comfortable with media, government liaison, public speaking.
• Financial acumen: understanding of budgets, business modelling, income diversification, cost control.
• Experience in change management and building or scaling organisational processes, systems and governance.
• Strong alignment with IACAT’s values: supporting Creative Arts Therapy professions, evidence-based practice, inclusivity, trauma-informed approaches.

Desirable 

• Knowledge or experience of the Creative Arts Therapy sector (art, music, dramatherapy, dance-movement, expressive arts), health/education sectors or allied health professions in Ireland.  
• Experience of accreditation/training frameworks, professional standards, membership services.
• Familiarity with research, publications and the journals sector
• Experience in governance transition (eg move to CLG, company/charity registration).
• Understanding of Irish policy landscape for health, education and mental health. Personal Attributes
• Collaborative and inclusive leadership style, comfortable enabling volunteer-led councils and committees while driving operational excellence.
• Entrepreneurial mindset: able to innovate, identify opportunities, and pivot when needed.
• Credible voice in the sector: trustworthy, authoritative and engaging.
• Resilient, adaptable and able to manage complexity and change.
• Ethical and integrity-driven; committed to professional standards and continuous learning. 

Terms & Remuneration Remuneration: 

35€/hour depending on experience, to be invoiced to IACAT monthly 

Probation: 6 months This is a contractor role; applicants must be fully tax-compliant and responsible for their own taxes, with a valid tax clearance certificate required.