Protection Operations Manager (Ryder Cup) Location: Ireland (Home-based with travel across Ireland and regular on-site presence at Adare Manor) Contract Type: Fixed-Term Contract from October 2026 – December 2027 Working Pattern: Part-time initially, with a phased increase in hours and responsibilities as the event approaches, transitioning to a full-time event delivery focus during key planning and operational periods.

About the Role

• The Ryder Cup is one of the world's most prestigious sporting events, bringing together the very best golfers, fans, partners and stakeholders on a global stage.
• As we prepare for the 2027 Ryder Cup at Adare Manor, Ireland, we are looking for a Protection Operations Manager to join the Ryder Cup Operations Team and play a key role in delivering a safe, secure and successful event.
• This is a unique opportunity to work at the heart of a world-class sporting spectacle, helping to plan, coordinate and deliver critical protection, safety and security operations.
• Working within a complex multi-agency environment, you will translate the overall event protection strategy into practical operational delivery, ensuring all security activities are safe, proportionate, professional and aligned with Ryder Cup operational standards.
• The role will be based in Ireland and will require regular travel throughout Ireland to meet with stakeholders, attend planning meetings and support operational readiness activities.
• As the event approaches, the successful candidate will be required to spend increasing amounts of time on-site at Adare Manor and other event locations to support planning, testing and event delivery.

Responsibilities

• Support the planning, coordination and delivery of protection and security operations for the 2027 Ryder Cup.
• Manage the protection, safety and security of all individuals involved with the event, including staff, contractors, players, spectators and VIP guests.
• Develop and implement protection and security procedures, plans and operational processes.
• Support Ryder Cup Europe in controlling operational budgets and monitoring expenditure.
• Manage relationships with appointed security providers, ensuring effective implementation of event security plans, training programmes and operational requirements.
• Work closely with An Garda Síochána, emergency services, local authorities and other key stakeholders to determine operational needs and ensure alignment across agencies.
• Liaise regularly with the Ryder Cup Event Protection and Garda Liaison Director to support strategic and operational planning.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant legal, insurance, health and safety, safeguarding and regulatory requirements.
• Coordinate all protection-related location requirements across the venue footprint, including hospitality facilities, team areas, back-of-house operations, administration offices and spectator zones.
• Create and maintain detailed deployment plans, operational schedules, staffing matrices and location maps.
• Develop plans for vehicle screening, perimeter security and access control throughout build, event and dismantling phases.
• Support the development and implementation of emergency response procedures, incident management processes and contingency plans.
• Establish reporting systems for incidents, security breaches and operational issues.
• Support the development of accreditation and access control policies alongside accreditation and ticketing teams.
• Assist in the planning and implementation of CCTV systems, access control technologies, control room operations and radio communications.
• Manage contractors providing security and access control infrastructure and equipment.
• Investigate and resolve protection-related incidents, issues and operational challenges.
• Produce regular operational reports and updates for the Ryder Cup Event Protection and Garda Liaison Director.
• Contribute to operational risk assessments, tabletop exercises, readiness reviews and testing programmes.
• Support the wider Operations Team in developing and implementing Ryder Cup Operational Plans to ensure a safe and successful event.

About You

• You will be an experienced protection, security or major event professional with a proven track record of delivering in complex, high-profile environments.
• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced and evolving landscape, you will thrive on collaboration and possess the ability to build strong relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Knowledge, Skills & Experience: Event Operations & Security Proven experience in major event operations, policing, major sporting event protection, emergency services or a comparable operational environment.
• Experience leading protection teams and managing contractors within complex event environments.
• Experience working with An Garda Síochána, Irish emergency services and other public sector stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of physical security, crowd management, incident response, access control, command and control structures and emergency planning.
• Ability to develop clear operating procedures, deployment plans, risk assessments, briefings, debriefs and management reports.
• Strong knowledge of Irish legislation and regulatory requirements relating to major events, including PSA licensing, Health & Safety, Safeguarding, Equality and Data Protection.
• Communication & Stakeholder Management Able to interact confidently with stakeholders at all levels, from operational teams to senior leaders and government agencies.
• Experience managing multiple stakeholder groups simultaneously and balancing competing priorities.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, Outlook, Teams and project management software such as Asana.
• Commercial & Financial Management Strong commercial awareness and financial acumen.
• Experience managing budgets, procurement activities and supplier contracts.
• Ability to identify cost efficiencies while maintaining operational excellence.
• Problem Solving & Adaptability Highly organised, proactive and solutions-focused.
• Comfortable working in a dynamic environment with changing priorities and tight deadlines.
• Able to make sound decisions under pressure and maintain attention to detail.
• Collaboration A team player with a collaborative mindset and a "one team" approach.
• Experience working across diverse teams, cultures and stakeholder groups.
• International event experience would be advantageous.
• Desirable Knowledge or understanding of golf and its stakeholder landscape.
• Experience supporting security operations at major international sporting events.
• Why Join Us?
• This is a rare opportunity to help deliver one of the world's most iconic sporting events.
• You'll play a central role in creating a safe and secure environment for players, spectators, staff and partners, while working alongside some of the most experienced event professionals in the industry.
• If you're passionate about major events, thrive in operational environments and want to help shape the successful delivery of Ryder Cup 2027, we'd love to hear from you.
• The European Tour group is one of the world's pre-eminent golf organisations.
• We organise and promote professional tournaments in over 30 countries each year across four Tours, as well as the biennial Ryder Cup - golf's greatest team contest.
• Our History Golf's global tour has been revolutionising the professional game since 1972.
• Our History: The history of the DP World Tour - Articles - DP World Tour For more information about the European Tour group visit our Careers website at: European Tour If you have any questions, contact us at: recruitment@etghq.com