The Royal Irish Academy is a predominantly publicly funded institution established for the promotion of learning in the sciences and humanities across the island of Ireland. The Academy’s latest strategic plan for 2019–23 is available here: https://www.ria.ie/strategic-plan.

Department: Programmes and Engagement
Contract type: Fixed term
Duration: Five years
Reports to: Head of Programmes and Engagement

Key purpose of role

To build the profile of the RIA and promote our work to key stakeholders and the wider public. This is an opportunity for a highly motivated individual to assist us in driving the strategic communications of the Academy, including identifying key audiences, potential partnerships and sponsorship opportunities, and tailoring the Academy’s messages for diverse audiences.

Key accountabilities

The Senior Communications and Public Affairs Manager responsibilities are:

  • Develop and deliver the strategic communications plan that supports the Academy’s overall strategic goals and activities
  • Create and curate the content and manage the effective delivery of all the Academy’s communications, including (but not limited to) newsletters, press releases, email announcements, video, special projects and assignments
  • Editorial and strategic management of the Academy’s website, social media channels and annual review
  • Oversee all internal and external communications to ensure messaging is consistent and engaging
  • Manage the use of RIA branding and communication guidelines in all the Academy’s publications and outputs
  • Cultivate relationships with key media contacts. Act as the primary point of contact for media and support staff in their engagement with media
  • Track data from RIA communications outputs and measure the results to produce reports on the Academy’s public engagement activity.
  • Oversight and management of the Academy’s Discourse programme, Gold Medal Awards and other ad hoc activities
  • Manage and motivate the Communications team’s progress through regular check-ins and identifying team training needs and skill gaps
  • Manage the Academy’s endowment / Corporate Friends activities and lead on corporate sponsorship and fundraising initiatives
  • Other duties as may reasonably be assigned by the Head of Programmes and Engagement and Executive Director

Note: To qualify candidates must be eligible by the date of any job offer. This job description is a guide to broad areas of responsibility and accountability and should not be regarded as a comprehensive listing. The job description may be subject to review in the view of new structures and / or the changing needs of the Academy.

Person specification

Essential qualifications

  • A third level degree in Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, Media, Journalism or other relevant areas
  • A minimum of five years’ relevant experience
  • Extensive knowledge and demonstrable experience in creating and delivering strategic communications across digital/social media
  • Strong IT and digital marketing skills with knowledge of latest social media trends
  • Experience contributing communications expertise in service of achieving organisational goals and activities.
  • Strong writing, editing, proofreading, layout and design printing/publishing skills including ability to present concepts verbally to a very high standard
  • Excellent interpersonal skills, with evidence of experience in stakeholder engagement
  • An in-depth understanding of the Irish media landscape and experience in dealing with the press and policy makers
  • Experience in managing, developing and motivating a team
  • Excellent organisational, project, event and time management skills

Desirable qualifications

  • A postgraduate degree in a relevant area
  • Previous experience of working in the public sector
  • Working knowledge of the Irish language

Further Information

Salary: Salary is on the Senior Programme Manager Scale €52,067 – €69,192.

Hours of Work: The normal hours of work are 35 hours per week.

Overtime is not paid in respect of excess attendance which, should it arise, is discharged by time off in lieu at times agreed in advance with the Executive Director.

This role is suitable for blended working.

Leave: The annual leave entitlement is 25 days per annum, pro-rata for shorter periods. Entitlement to leave for public holidays is in accordance with the terms of the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997. There may be a requirement to take up to four days annual leave where the Academy is closed at Christmas.

Employee Benefits: Examples of some of our current employee benefits include:

  • Generous annual leave entitlement
  • Family friendly policies
  • Blended working policy
  • Availability of an optical benefit scheme
  • Availability of a cycle to work scheme
  • A range of learning and developmental opportunities
  • Sick leave scheme
  • Paid maternity, adoptive and paternity leave
  • Automatically entered into a pension scheme
  • Employee assistance programme

Medical: Staff shall, if required, and at the expense of the Academy, submit to a medical examination by a registered medical practitioner nominated by the Academy and shall authorise such medical practitioner to disclose and to discuss with the Academy the results of the examination and the matters which arise from it so that the Academy can ascertain any matters that they consider might impair a staff member from properly discharging his/her duties.

Pension: Details of the appropriate pension scheme will be provided upon determination of appointee’s status.

Permanent Pension contribution: This appointment is subject to the Additional Superannuation Contribution (ASC) effective from 1 January 2019.

Application Process

Completed applications consisting of one electronic copy (with all documents contained in one Word document) must be submitted to recruitment@ria.ie in the order as set out below:

  • A brief cover letter demonstrating how you meet the qualifications and experience for the position (max. 700 words)
  • A curriculum vitae summarising your qualifications and relevant experience (max. 4 pages)

Applicants will be shortlisted based on information provided in their application.

Please note: failure to fulfil the application requisites will deem the application invalid.

Closing date: 26.07.2024. Late applications will not be considered.

It is anticipated that interviews will be week commencing 05.08.2024.

Please note this interview will include competency-based interview questions.

Candidates should note that panels may be formed from which future positions may be filled.

The Royal Irish Academy will not be responsible for refunding any expenses incurred by Candidates.

The Royal Irish Academy is an equal opportunities employer.