Minimum 6-month fixed-term contract
Title: Manager – Press and Public Relations
Grade: Level E (minimum 6-month fixed term contract)
Department: Corporate Communications and Marketing Department
Business Unit: Chief Executive Office
Reporting to: Department Manager
Location: Enterprise Ireland, East Point, Dublin
Job Reference: EI.106.17E
Role Purpose
This fixed term, minimum 6-month, assignment has arisen in the Corporate Marketing and Communications Department to cover maternity leave. The successful candidate will be a lead member of a focused Press Team responsible for designing, driving and implementing Enterprise Ireland’s (EI) press and public relations strategy, aligned to the Agency’s corporate communications and marketing strategy. The person appointed will lead and manage a busy Press and Public Relations team, positioning and promoting Irish industry and EI client companies through effective public relations, media and key stakeholder engagement and successful delivery of public relations and media-relations initiatives, events, programmes and campaigns.
Key Deliverables
· Lead and manage the full-service Public Relations and Press function and Team resources within the Corporate Marketing and Communications Department.
· Design, develop and implement a focussed press and public relations strategy as part of an overall EI corporate communications and marketing strategy that spans regional, national and international markets.
· Research and review relevant material and subject matter for the purpose of developing interesting and well articulated messaging.
· Craft finished communication pieces suitable for dissemination across all delivery platforms – written press releases, social media messages, web based communications and verbal communications.
· Proactively establish and develop strong working relationships and engagement with key press contacts in Ireland for the placement of developed messaging.
· Work closely with the Head of Corporate Marketing and Communications, the integrated Marketing and International Marketing teams and Events Management Department, ensuring consistency of message across campaigns, events and initiatives to drive a full-service national and international public relations and press service to internal divisions and to drive economies of scale.
· Respond efficiently and manage incoming media and other stakeholder queries and requests as appropriate such as requests for information on EI investments, FOIs, PQs, Oireachtas requests etc. by providing accurate information in a timely manner.
· Develop effective working relationships with key stakeholders including senior colleagues, relevant Government Departments and other Agencies on media-related and media-worthy issues.
· Supervise and manage the development and implementation of public relations and press activities including photo-calls, press conferences/briefings, jobs announcements and one-to-one interviews in consultation with the Press and PR team and relevant internal and external stakeholders.
· Provide public relations, including media-relations, management expertise and advisory services to colleagues across markets and sectors in the design and implementation of communications and media-related events and programmes to meet their needs.
· Manage all press office related activities aligned to international trade missions, inward media visits and events.
· Manage EI’s social media and digital content and channels in conjunction with the Marketing and International Marketing managers.
· Introduce and initiate new organisational media initiatives and events based on best practice communications standards.
Functional Competencies (Key Skills and Knowledge)
· Significant post-qualification experience in a Press, PR and Communications agency at Account Director level and/or equivalent In-House experience of managing a busy Press Office and driving the design and implementation of proactive full-service Public Relations, including media-relations and relevant stakeholder engagement, is essential.
· Proven experience of leading a full-service Public Relations function and of managing PR team resources is essential.
· Proven experience of designing, developing and implementing Public Relations, including media-relations, strategies and operational plans is essential.
· Demonstrable experience of managing all types of public relations and media activities and multiple projects/campaigns such as press conferences, one-to-one media interviews, photo-calls and launches e.g. Company/jobs announcements, End of Year Statements, Annual Reports and managing day-to-day media and stakeholder queries is essential.
· A third-level or relevant post-graduate qualification in a Communications or Business discipline is essential.
· Excellent interpersonal skills with a proven record and experience of networking, building relationships, engaging with and influencing stakeholders at all levels of seniority on media-related initiatives, events and communications issues.
· Excellent oral and written English communication skills, including research, journalistic and editorial skills.
· Ability to provide a focussed client service and to build and maintain effective client relationships to advance their objectives in line with corporate strategy. This includes providing a Public Relations advisory service to clients and acting as the interface between client companies and stakeholders.
· Ability to work closely with senior management and their teams to devise, design and implement Public Relations and Press strategies/programmes for their Departments/Divisions and to lead and drive full-service Public Relations, including media-relations and stakeholder engagement, expertise and advisory services for major EI events such as company announcements, corporate events, international trade missions etc.
· Ability to think strategically and recognise broad implications of public relations and media-related issues as they relate to EI and its stakeholders.
· Ability to absorb new information quickly, understand complex concepts and relationships, focus on important information, making timely and sound decisions.
· Ability to act as spokesperson for Enterprise Ireland and to manage communications on behalf of the organisation in a professional and comprehensive way that takes cognisance of the importance of organisational reputation and risk-management.
· Proven ability to deal with multiple demands and competing priorities to tight deadlines.
· Experience of managing corporate social media and digital platforms for effective public relations and media purposes.
Additional key requirements for this role:
· Willingness and flexibility to provide an on-call media response service outside of Enterprise Ireland’s main business hours to deliver weekend/evening/holiday cover is expected for this role.
· International travel will also be a feature of this role to provide full-service public relations and media expertise, advice and support for international trade missions and other client internationalisation events.
Enterprise Ireland Behavioural Competencies
Results Focused
The ability to remain outcome and results focused with regard to business priorities and organisational goals, monitoring progress and adjusting approach ensuring delivery against the appropriate timescales.
Innovation and Risk-Taking
Actively encourages new ideas, experimentation and measured risk-taking, while always being on the lookout for opportunities to continuously improve business processes and efficiencies within Enterprise Ireland and client organisations.
Problem Solving and Decision-Making
The ability to be decisive and take tough decisions about clients, people and costs to deliver sustainable results, using the analysis of information and situations to make logical and sound decisions.
Client Focused
The ability to provide an excellent client service focusing on client needs and building and maintaining effective personal and business relationships to advance clients’ objectives and Enterprise Ireland strategy.
Communicating with Impact to Influence Others
Communicates in a manner that will persuade, convince and influence their own staff and others, both internally and externally, in order to motivate, inspire or encourage them to follow a particular course of action.
Teamworking
Co-operates with colleagues, shares information and respects the opinions and values of staff members. Understands the skills, experience and knowledge of staff members and maximises how these can be utilised to the benefit of the department, the organisation and the client.
Embracing & Leading Change
Understands the business agenda of Enterprise Ireland and embraces changes for area of responsibility and for external and internal clients.
Acting / Leading with Integrity
Lives the Enterprise Ireland purpose and values, acting genuinely and with integrity, in a manner that builds trust and engages and motivates others, placing the genuine needs of the client, the organisation, and staff ahead of personal agendas
Networking
Establishes and maintains mutually beneficial relationships with colleagues and other networks for the purpose of sharing information.
Developing Yourself & Others
Creates an environment that enables others to excel in terms of job performance.
Salary Scale:
Starting salary is €65,093 per annum contributory superannuation. This will be pro-rated in line with the duration of this fixed term contract.
Candidates should note that entry will be at the minimum of the relevant scale and the rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy. Subject to satisfactory performance, increments may be payable in line with current Government Policy.
Application and Selection Process:
The selection process may include short-listing of candidates. The selection criteria will be based on the requirements of the position. It is therefore important that you provide a detailed and accurate account of where you believe your skills and experience meet the requirements for the position. This should be contained in a short document (maximum 2 pages) accompanying your CV.
Applicants should note that, for shortlisting purposes in particular, clear evidence of the functional competency requirements listed as essential in this specification must be demonstrated as part of your supporting document accompanying your CV.
To apply for the position, send a detailed CV and supporting document quoting reference number EI.106.17E to to be received on or before Friday 18th August 2017.
All applications will be acknowledged by email.
Queries in relation to the role or the application process should be directed to
Enterprise Ireland is an equal opportunities employer