Communications Events Executive

The Job Holder will combine working in Safefood’s office on Abbey Street Lower, Dublin 1 with working remotely (at home). Occasional travel within Ireland including spending time in the Cork office headquarters may be required to fulfil the requirements of the role.

Normal working hours are 9.00am – 5.00pm Monday to Friday. Flexible and Blended (Hybrid) Working.

Career Development

At Safefood we believe in investing in our people, encouraging them to achieve a worklife balance while providing support for personal and professional development.

• We offer a wide range of learning and development opportunities to support you throughout your career.

• We provide study and financial support to encourage lifelong learning, as well as assisting you with the costs of professional membership fees.

Work Life Balance

In line with comparable Irish Civil Service Terms and Conditions, Safefood offers staff several leave options which support our people through various stages of their life. We have also developed a range of flexible working practices to make it easier for our employees to have a balance between the demands of work and their personal life.

These include:

• Competitive annual leave and public holidays.

• Blended (Hybrid) Working.

• Flexible Working including Flexitime.

• Career breaks.

Additional Financial Benefits

• Attractive pension scheme where you will pay a rate of between 4.6% and 7.35% depending on your salary.

• Full Payment top up for maternity / paternity / adoptive leave (subject to terms and conditions).

• Overtime rates are available to employees who work beyond their normal working hours according to their terms and conditions.

Employee Wellbeing

• Free, confidential counselling and support to employees 24/7 through our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).

• VDU Eye Examinations and a contribution towards frames if recommended

• Flu vaccinations

• Bike to Work Scheme

JOB PURPOSE

The Communications Events Executive, reporting to the Director of Communications, shall be responsible for the planning, development and implementation of Safefood’s event management, direct marketing and partnership activities. They will contribute to the development of the communication strategy in line with Safefood’s business objectives. They will also develop and maintain relationships with Safefood’s various stakeholders to support Safefood’s communication programmes. They will demonstrate an ability to develop, monitor and evaluate the success of programmes and suggest and implement key improvements.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

To plan, develop and implement effective communication activities for various virtual, physical and hybrid conferences, exhibitions and events on the island of Ireland

To plan and develop and implement Safefood’s direct marketing activities

To design communications relating to events, direct marketing and stakeholder engagement.

To apply communications best practice and behavioral science to all activities.

Managing external agencies (advertising agencies, design agencies, event management) against set KPIs to ensure value for money.

To work closely with the digital marketing team and PR team to develop digital and social media support for events and stakeholder engagement

To evaluate all events, direct marketing and partnership programme activities.

Database development and management, including use of Customer Relationship Management systems.

To represent Safefood at both regional and national committees and working groups and events.

Management of allocated budgets to support various communication programmes.

Other duties as assigned.

This list is not an exhaustive list and you may be required to take on other tasks and duties for the proper and effective performance of your role. Your role will change as the needs of the business change and you will be required to adapt to these changes and to develop your role going forward.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria - Education/Qualifications & Experience

• A third-level qualification or Professional Qualification in Marketing, Event Management, Public Relations, Communications or equivalent.

• At least 3 years’ experience relevant to the role within the public, private, voluntary or community sectors.

Essential Criteria - Required Competencies

Management and Delivery of Results

• Takes responsibility and is accountable for the delivery of agreed objectives

• Successfully manages a range of different projects and work activities at the same time

• Structures and organises their own and others work effectively

• Is logical and pragmatic in approach, delivering the best possible results with the resources available

• Proactively identifies areas for improvement and develops practical suggestions for their implementation

• Demonstrates enthusiasm for new developments/changing work practices and strives to implement these changes effectively

• Applies appropriate systems/ processes to enable quality checking of all activities and outputs

• Practices and promotes a strong focus on delivering high quality customer service, for internal and external customers

Interpersonal and Communication Skills

• Builds and maintains contact with colleagues and other stakeholders to assist in performing role

• Acts as an effective link between staff and senior management

• Encourages open and constructive discussions around work issues

• Projects conviction, gaining buy-in by outlining relevant information and selling the benefits

• Treats others with diplomacy, tact, courtesy and respect , even in challenging circumstances

• Presents information clearly, concisely and confidently when speaking and in writing

• Collaborates and supports colleagues to achieve organisational goals

Judgement, Analysis & Decision Making

• Gathers and analyses information from relevant sources, whether financial, numerical or otherwise weighing up a range of critical factors

• Takes account of any broader issues, agendas, sensitivities and related implications when making decisions

• Uses previous knowledge and experience in order to guide decisions

• Uses judgement to make sound decisions with a well-reasoned rationale and stands by these

• Puts forward solutions to address problems

Team Leadership

• Works with teams and individuals on events to facilitate high performance, developing clear and realistic objectives and addressing and performance issues if they arise

• Provides clear information and advice as to what is required of the team

• Strives to develop and implement new ways of working effectively to meet objectives

• Is flexible and willing to adapt, positively contributing to the implementation of change

Desirable Criteria - Education/Qualifications & Experience

• Demonstrable experience in event management and coordination.

• Demonstrable experience in stakeholder engagement and development.

Key Terms and Conditions of Appointment

Salary Scale

The current salary scale ranges from €56,047 – €68,158 per annum.

Please note that the salary quoted is a salary scale. Entry will be at the minimum of the scale and the rate of remuneration will not be subject to negotiation and 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.

Different terms and conditions may apply if, immediately prior to appointment, the successful candidate is a serving civil or public servant.

Hours of Work

Normal working hours are 9.00am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday. The working week is 35 hours. However, on occasions, staff will be requested to work additional hours as the needs of the business dictate.

Holiday Entitlement

Current holiday entitlement is 29 days’ annual leave increasing to 30 days’ annual leave upon 5 years’ service. Safefood also recognises 10 public holidays.

Pension

Safefood participates in the North South Pension Scheme. Current employee contribution rates are 5.45% for this grade of post.