The duties and responsibilities of the post involve but are not limited to the following:
- Provide strategic leadership for all corporate communications and lead the implementation of a Council‑wide Communications Framework aligned with the Corporate Plan, ensuring communications actively promote the Council’s vision, values and objectives and support organisational priorities and good governance.
- Design and develop a strategic and integrated approach to informing and engaging the public and other stakeholders through implementation of Communications Strategy, Marketing/Branding and public relations strategies that will enhance County Galway’s image and position nationally and internationally.
- Lead organisational change in how communications is planned, governed and delivered, embedding communications standards, protocols and accountability across Directorates.
Communications, Media & Public Relations
- Establish, lead and develop a centralised Communications Unit, including managing staff within the centralised function; defining structures, roles, workflows and priorities; and building strong, effective working relationships across all directorates to ensure organisation‑wide engagement and effective delivery of both strategic and operational communications.
- Develop an Irish language strategy with Oifigeach Forbartha na Gaeilge (Irish Development Officer) to ensure compliance with the Official Languages Act 2003 and 2021 Amendment, in line with the Gaeltacht Act 2012.
- Develop an Internal Staff Communications Strategy.
- Develop a Corporate Social Media Policy.
- Provide communications support and advice to the Management Team. Fully brief and support the Chief Executive, Senior Officials and the Cathaoirleach with background material/presentations/speeches for events requiring their attendance.
- Design and deliver communications strategies to support the stakeholder engagement of all high-profile projects in County Galway.
- Act as the principal source of information for Galway County Council and provide strategic leadership of all media relations, ensuring consistent, timely and accurate engagement with local, regional and national media.
- Develop engagement strategies to complete statutory and non-statutory consultation processes, including the organising of information sessions, focus groups, webinars, online content and the relevant marketing of same.
- Oversee the drafting and publication of all Council press releases and media responses.
- Organise digital media (photography/videography) relating to specific Council marketing campaigns, PR events and other communications-relevant occasions.
- Brief media partners and third parties e.g. media publishers, content creators (videographers/photographers/graphic designers) on relevant communications projects and campaigns.
- Represent the Council at public events, launches and engagements and ensure that communications and event-related materials are inclusive and accessible.
- Oversee and manage all externally procured communications, media, design and digital support to ensure alignment with the Council’s strategic communications objectives and value for money.
- Communicate on a regular basis internally within the Council to staff and elected members on key developments within the Council.
- Demonstrate a high level of political awareness and thorough understanding of the local government environment in providing expert advice.
Marketing & Brand Management
- Coordinate communications and corporate marketing in all sections of Galway County Council and its strategic partners to ensure that there is a coordinated approach to developing a positive brand that is clearly identifiable and connected with County Galway
- Assume responsibility for the management and delivery of all local authority media/public advertising campaigns.
- Manage, to a very high standard, media relations including leading publicly on difficult issues.
- Ensure consistent communication of message externally and internally.
- Be responsible for editorial direction, design, production and distribution of all Council publications.
- Coordinate media interest in the Council and County Galway generally including regular contact with target media and appropriate response to media requests.
- Manage the appearance of all print and electronic materials such as letterhead, use of logo, brochures, etc.
- Provide advice on marketing, communications and public relations to Managers, Staff and Elected members as appropriate.
- Ensure compliance with all required Local Authority financial, procurement, management and governance reporting processes.
- Establish and oversee corporate standards for accessible communications, branding and publications (including plain English, accessible formats and digital accessibility.
- Ensure Council publications, campaigns and corporate templates are developed in line with universal design, accessibility best practice, taking account of the diverse needs of the community.
- Provide leadership and guidance to Directorates on inclusive public communications, including consultation materials and public information.
- Ensure compliance with corporate policies (Health and Safety, HR, GDPR, Child Safeguarding, Public Sector Duty obligations etc.) in the course of conducting communications and corporate marketing activities.
- Ensure good governance and act in the public interest.
- Support the regular meetings of the Senior Management Team; and
- Undertake any other duties of a similar level and responsibilities as may be required or assigned on occasion.
Emergency & Critical Incident Communications
- Develop, maintain and lead the Council’s Emergency Communications, including pre‑approved messaging, protocols and media arrangements.
- Act as the central point of contact for communications during severe weather events, emergencies and critical incidents, coordinating messaging with the Management Team, relevant Directorates, Elected Members and external stakeholders.
- Conduct post‑incident communications reviews and incorporate lessons learned into future planning.
Performance, KPI’s & Reporting
- Develop key performance indicators and reporting mechanisms to measure the impact and effectiveness of communications activity, including media coverage, public engagement and internal communications, and report regularly to Management Team.
The above specification is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to them from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office.
Each Candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms:
- A minimum level 7 educational qualification in media/communications related discipline and specific work experience to an equivalent level to the satisfaction of the Council.
- Have a minimum of 7 years’ satisfactory experience in a broad communications role e.g. PR, Journalism, Media Management, Corporate Communications, Communication Campaigns and Digital Media.
- Demonstrate a high level of fluency and proficiency in the Irish language (both oral and written). Have obtained a minimum qualification at level 7 on the National Framework of Qualifications in Irish or a qualification e.g. TEG Level C1 in Irish.
- A proven understanding of the local government operating environment, the Irish traditional and digital media landscape and proven delivery in the field of communications.
- Substantial experience of dealing with the media.
- Proven leadership skills at a managerial level and experience managing a team in a fast-moving environment and advising senior leaders in an organisation.
- Experience contributing communications expertise to the development of wider organisation strategies and plans.
- A proven track record at senior level in leading and establishing a centralised communications function, including providing high‑level strategic advice to senior management on media relations and public communications, including emergency communications.
- Demonstrated experience in leading communications during emergencies, critical incidents and severe weather events, including coordinating timely, accurate public messaging and advising senior management as part of an organisational emergency response.
- Demonstrated experience in leading accessible and inclusive public communications within a complex organisation, ensuring compliance with statutory requirements.
(xi) Proven ability in: Strategic Management and Change, Performance through People, Delivering Results and Personal Effectiveness.
Applicants should at the date of applying, hold a full unendorsed valid Irish /EU licence, for Class B vehicles, or a licence acceptable to NDLS for transfer to full Irish licence, (Link below).
https://www.ndls.ie/help/faq.html#exchange-of-foreign-driving-licences
Further Information is available in the Candidate Information Booklet available on our website.
