Chris O Leary

Christopher O’Leary

8 Roselawn, Innishannon, Co, Cork

Summary

A passionate and highly motivated individual with a diverse background in education, community engagement, law enforcement and project co-ordination. I bring a strong focus on building positive relationships, problem-solving, and fostering learning environments. My background in education and coaching, alongside my expertise in relationship management and communication, allows me to connect with students and create engaging and supportive classroom experiences. I am committed to making a positive impact on students’ academic and personal development.

Professional Experience

State Exam Superintendent: Holy Family Community School, Kilteel Road, Rathcoole, Co. Dublin, June 2025

• Prepared hall for Junior Cert examinations according to the SEC’s regulations and instructions.
• Supervised examination hall, ensuring that candidates adhere to the rules and regulations.
• Collected examination papers and ensured a safe return to the SEC along with all relevant documentation.

Secondary School Substitute: Tallaght Community School, Balrothery, Dublin 24, Feb 2025 – June 2025

 

• Delivered engaging and effective lessons across a range of subjects, ensuring continuity of learning in the absence of regular teachers.
• Adapted quickly to different classroom environments and student needs, maintaining discipline and creating a positive and inclusive learning atmosphere.

Project Operations Coordinator: Vertical Grain Projects, 106 Charles Street, Vancouver, Aug 2024 – Jan 2025 

• Coordinated day-to-day operations of a construction company, focusing on effective team collaboration, time management, and communication.
• Managed various logistical tasks and coordinated renovation jobs, enhancing organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Developed strong working relationships with team members and external stakeholders to ensure successful project outcomes.

Territory Representative: Ecolab, QSR Industry, Vancouver, BC, Canada May 2024 – August 2024

• Delivered customer-focused solutions to a range of clients, building positive relationships and maintaining a high level of engagement.
• Facilitated feedback sessions with clients, providing support, advice, and recommendations for product improvements.
• Analysed customer data to identify trends, insights, and opportunities for growth

Garda: An Garda Síochána, Rathmines Garda Station, Dublin City, Ireland May 2020 – March 2024

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• Developed and maintained strong and supportive relationships with members of the community through initiatives like Community Alert, Neighbourhood Watch.
• Built relationships with managers and staff members in supermarkets, convenience stores, restaurants and cafés through community engagement initiatives such as Business Watch.
• Responded to emergencies, such as road traffic collisions and armed robberies, demonstrating quick decision-making and the ability to communicate effectively with a range of stakeholders in high-pressure situations.
• Investigated a variety of incidents, prepared investigation files and related paperwork before successfully prosecuting cases in the Criminal Court of Justice, demonstrating strong attention to detail and organisational skills
• Worked closely with agencies such as Tusla, Dublin Fire Brigade, Interpol, and local councils, developing a deep understanding of how to collaborate with diverse stakeholders to achieve common goals.

Quality Assurance Analyst: Eolas International, Little Island, Co. Cork, Ireland – July 2019 – May 2020

• Worked closely with leading global FMCG food brands (PepsiCo) to improve consumer’s quality experience in the marketplace from shelf to consumption.
• Analysed and interpreted data from quality tests to identify trends, insights and potential issues. 
• Retrieved client samples from researchers in over 120 countries, managing data registration on StarLims for testing labs, ensuring accuracy and reliability in product testing.
• Collaborated with production teams to address and resolve quality related concerns. 

Lab Analyst: PepsiCo, Little Island, Co. Cork – March 2019 – July 2019

• Receiving and preparing samples for sensory analysis, ensuring accuracy and consistency.
• Logging of samples on Lab Information Management Systems.
• Regularly ensure sensory equipment is calibrated to ensure accurate and reliable results.

General Operative: Stryker, Carrigtwohill, Co. Cork May 2017 – September 2017

• Operated machinery and equipment involved in the manufacturing process.
• Ensured flexibility in being able to handle various tasks as required in a dynamic manufacturing environment. 

Education

Professional Master of Education in Post-Primary Education, Hibernia College – 2025 - Present

Diploma Performance Nutrition, APEC Courses – 2021

Food Business and Innovation, MSc, University College Cork, Achieved 2:1 - 2018 – 2019

• Core Modules: Food Branding and Digital Media Marketing, Strategic Food Marketing, Consumer Culture and Consumer-Brand relationships, Economics of Agri-Food Markets and Value Chain Analysis, 

Bachelor of Arts Degree, BA, University College Cork – Achieved 2:1 – 2015 – 2018

• Joint honours: Geography and Sociology.

Skills 

• Excellent Interpersonal skills: I Engage with others in a positive and constructive way that facilitates relationship building. Sensitive to different perspectives and needs, with the ability to listen, understand, and respond appropriately.
• Business Concepts: Strong understanding of business strategies, marketing, consumer behaviour, and economic principles, which I aim to bring into the classroom to build student’s understanding of the business world.
• Leadership & Mentoring: Experience in coaching youth teams, which equips me to guide and support students in their academic and personal growth.
• Communication & Relationship Building: Proven ability to connect with students, parents, and colleagues, developing a positive and inclusive learning environment.
• Conflict Resolution: Through my work in law enforcement and community engagement, I developed conflict resolution skills, an essential skill for maintaining a positive classroom environment. I can manage disagreements between students and help guide them through constructive conflict resolution.
• Organisational & Time Management Skills: Strong organisational and time management skills, gained through consistently meeting deadlines, prioritising tasks, and managing multiple projects.
• Empathy and Emotional Intelligence: Ability to show empathy and understand the emotions of others. These emotional intelligence skills are key in building strong, supportive relationships with students, helping to respond to their needs and challenges effectively.

Interests & Achievements 

• Volunteer Work: Since 2014 I have volunteered to coach at local GAA camps in Valley Rovers, Dunmanway, Balinascarthy, Midleton, Diarmuid O’ Mathunas and St Oliver Plunkett’s. I have also coached the Lucan Sarsfields under 15 hurling team in 2023. Since 2015 I have volunteered with stewarding and selling match programmes for my home club and for the Cork GAA.
• Sport: Member of the Dublin Senior hurling team for 2023. Member of the Cork Senior hurling team from 2016 to 2020. Won a Munster Senior Hurling medal in 2017. Won a Munster under 21 hurling medal and an All-Ireland Intermediate hurling medal in 2018.
• Reading, soccer, hiking, swimming and running.
• Full clean driving licence holder.

References available on request. 

A passionate and highly motivated individual with a diverse background in education, community engagement, law enforcement and project co-ordination. I bring a strong focus on building positive relationships, problem-solving, and fostering learning environments. My background in education and coaching, alongside my expertise in relationship management and communication, allows me to connect with students and create engaging and supportive classroom experiences. I am committed to making a positive impact on students’ academic and personal development.

A passionate and highly motivated individual with a diverse background in education, community engagement, law enforcement and project co-ordination. I bring a strong focus on building positive relationships, problem-solving, and fostering learning environments. My background in education and coaching, alongside my expertise in relationship management and communication, allows me to connect with students and create engaging and supportive classroom experiences. I am committed to making a positive impact on students’ academic and personal development.