16.10.25
We're Hiring: Head Trainer
Galway Community Circus is seeking an experienced and passionate Head Trainer on a full-time basis. The deadline to apply is 12pm on Friday, 7th November 2025.
Head Trainer
Role: Head Trainer
Organisation: Galway Community Circus
Location: St Joseph’s Community Centre, Ashe Road, Galway
Hours: Full-time
Salary: €35-€37,000 per annum dependent on experience
Closing Date: 12pm on Friday, 7th November
Interview: Week commencing 17th November
Job Starts: January 2026
Application Process: To apply for this position, please send your CV and a cover letter outlining your relevant experience and why you are interested in this role to recruitment@galwaycircus.com.
Galway Community Circus is seeking an experienced and passionate Head Trainer to lead our circus training programmes for young people and adults. This exciting role will shape the future of our teaching practice - developing our curriculum, supporting and mentoring trainers, and ensuring an inspiring, inclusive learning environment for all.
If you’re an inspiring circus educator with strong technical skills, a collaborative spirit, and a passion for empowering others through circus, we’d love to hear from you.
Galway Community Circus (GCC) is Ireland’s flagship for youth and social circus, located in the heart of Galway City. Our mission is to foster the growth of youth circus in Ireland and internationally through our dynamic circus school. Our vision is a future in which play, care and creativity are nurtured through circus education accessible to every child in Ireland. We provide access to high-quality subsidised circus arts education through our circus school offering youth and adult programmes for over 600 weekly students as well as professional training and community programmes in partnership with those who have specific social or developmental needs. We provide artist supports, training and mentoring and lead the development of youth circus in Ireland through our academic, national and international partnerships.
Sectoral Support
- To act as a champion and leader for the development of Youth Circus teaching in Ireland
- To provide advice around teaching to other Ireland-based Youth and Community Circus organisations
Development
Work with Galway Community Circus’s CEO to:
- Develop GCC’s curriculum for youth circus and adult circus
- Design and deliver a structured training programme for both internal and external GCC trainers
- Develop tools for monitoring learner progression during classes
- Develop best practice guides and assessment tools to influence the quality of teaching of Youth Circus for the sector
Co-ordination and People Management
- Oversee the day-to-day running of the programme to ensure that learners feel welcome, respected and that they belong at GCC
- Ensure students are attending classes appropriate to their level
- Ensure trainers are aware of their duties and responsibilities
- Deliver training-for-trainers and peer mentoring
- Lead regular trainer planning meetings, and provide reports to the CEO
- Oversee evaluation of youth and adult circus programmes
- ESC (European Solidarity Corps) Supervision. Overseeing 3 new volunteer trainers annually.
Communication
- Communicate curriculum with trainers delivering it
- Collate feedback from trainers/learners/space users and ensure it is acted upon
- Attend internal and external meetings as appropriate
- Maintain systems to ensure both trainers and reception know who is booked to teach, keeping reception updated of any changes
Teaching
- Deliver GCC training-for-trainers as needed
- Teach a range of skills from beginners to advanced level
- Teach during youth and adult circus classes and outreach programmes, and participate in other GCC projects as appropriate
Health and Safety
- Ensure that learners feel safe (both physically and emotionally) when attending GCC activities
- Report health and safety, equipment and maintenance needs to Technical Manager
Essential
- Ability to teach a variety of aerial, acrobatic, manipulation and balancing skills, with at least one specialisation to a high standard
- Experience in teaching skills on a regular basis
- Ability to structure routines and work creatively towards performances, as well as honing skills
- Knowledge of fitness techniques, healthy conditioning, stretching, specific for circus arts
- Excellent communication skills
- Good timekeeping
- Ability to structure courses and plan progressions
- Ability to manage other teachers
- Ability to work as part of a team
- Positive attitude
- Willingness to work flexible hours, evenings and weekends
Desirable
- Teaching qualifications
- Experience in leading a team
- First Aid qualification
- Rigging experience
- Clean driving licence
Galway Community Circus is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences, particularly those who are underrepresented in the arts.
You must be legally authorised to work in Ireland to accept this role.