Communications Officer

The City Council is dedicated to delivering excellent public services by working collaboratively with strategic partners, businesses, community, and neighbourhoods to ensure that the city continues to thrive as a place to live, study, visit and work. As Communications Officer, you will be contributing to achieving our vision of leading Cork to take its place as a world class city. Our people are committed to our values of public good, trust & integrity, respect, a people centric approach, responsibility, and innovation. Cork City Council invites applications, on the official application form, from suitably qualified persons, who wish to be considered for inclusion on a panel from which a permanent Communications Officer post may be filled.

THE ROLE Cork City Council is seeking to recruit a Communications Officer with significant relevant experience. This is an opportunity to become a staff member of the City Council in a role that will promote the reputation of Cork City and Cork City Council through the implementation of an effective and impactful citizen-focussed communications strategy. This leadership role will encompass a strong focus on the development and management of media relationships and the development of internal and external communications strategies and plans. The successful candidate must have a strong belief in the value of local government, empathy with the aims and ethos of Cork City Council and experience of media and communications in the public sector.

Role Specifics and Responsibilities - To provide advice and support on communications to senior management, staff and the Lord Mayor, as appropriate, with the goal of publicising and promoting the strategic goals and objectives of Cork City Council and supporting communication of its various public-facing projects. - To develop and maintain positive working relationships with key stakeholders - To proactively identify press, broadcast and digital media opportunities for the effective promotion of the activities and objectives of Cork City Council in national and local media outlets - Manage a high-performing communications team across a variety of work streams including media relations, stakeholder engagement, digital communications, internal communications, insight and evaluation and event management - Take responsibility for managing team performance, supporting individuals to develop their personal skills and careers, with a strong focus on nurturing talent. - Develop and support multi-platform communications campaigns necessary to meet Cork City Council’s strategic objectives. - To play a lead role in developing and implementing policies and procedures that ensure effective corporate communications in crisis and emergency situations. - To facilitate media interviews and press briefings for the CE and senior management team including supporting speeches, slide deck presentations and briefing materials. - Collate, analyse and ensure up to date monitoring of media coverage. - Undertaking any other duties of a similar nature and responsibility, as may be required, or assigned from time to time.

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.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE POST 1. Character Each candidate must be of good character. 2. Health Each candidate must be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service. 3. Essential Requirements Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms have: i. A qualification, at Level 6 or higher, in media / communications or a related discipline or a minimum of 5 years’ experience in a communications or media role demonstrating a clear track record of delivering clear, coherent and consistent communications. ii. An appreciation and understanding of the local government sector and the key issues confronting the sector, as well as the strategic priorities for Cork City. iii. A minimum of 5 years’ experience in a communications or media role demonstrating a clear track record of delivering clear, coherent and consistent communications. iv. Knowledge and understanding of the current media landscape at a national/international level, the current political, economic and social environment and a satisfactory knowledge of topical developments in and around Cork City. v. Proven skills in use of technologies appropriate to the position. vi. Demonstrate evidence of an effective network of media relationships. vii. Proven ability in the areas of Networking & Representing, Personal Motivation, Initiative & Achievement and Communicating Effectively 4. Desirable Skills The ideal candidate should have: • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. • Proven ability to network and develop strategic partners. • A high degree of resilience and personal integrity. • Proven skills in use of technology appropriate to the position. • Highly developed presentation skills. • Knowledge and understanding of the current/emerging media environment at a national/international level, the current political socio-economic environment and a satisfactory knowledge of topical developments in the Cork region. • Clear leadership skills and experience of managing a team including collaborating and working cross functionally with other teams and stakeholders. • Holders of the office may be required to drive a motor car in the course of their duties and should therefore, hold a clean driving licence (Class B) for the relevant vehicle class they are driving. This licence must be free from convictions and medical limitations that do not permit them or prevent them driving their own vehicle or a vehicle provided by Cork City Council. Salary The salary scale for the position is: €59,417, €60,871, €62,568, €64,271, €65,974, €67,495, €69,054, €70,563, €72,069, €74,649, €77,243 In accordance with Departmental Circular letter EL 02/2011, a person who is not a serving local authority employee on or after 1st January 2011, will enter the scale for the position at the minimum point.

Hours of Duty The standard working week will be 35 hours per week. The role will involve flexible working hours and will include evening and weekend work. Overtime rates will not apply to additional hours worked outside of normal hours. The Council reserves the right to alter your hours of work from time to time. Holders of the post may be called for duty at any time in accordance with arrangements made by local authorities.