Communications Officer

The Role

The Communications Executive Officer will support the implementation of The Heritage Council’s Communications Strategy and will report to the Head of Communications and Public Affairs, and work in partnership with the organisation’s professional officers and Heads of Service.

This post will serve to support the Communications and Public Engagement functions with a specific function to support the delivery of the organisation’s promotional campaigns, events and public engagement activities, including National Heritage Week.

The Officer will assist with the design and development of plans and projects which promote The Heritage Council’s work in all its forms. This will require extensive working across The Heritage Council’s wide network of stakeholders and the wider heritage sector.

Supporting the delivery of The Heritage Council’s Communications Strategy and all communications activities are part of the function. This will include supporting the management of digital assets including the website, social media accounts and other communications tools such as digital newsletters and general communications.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

The main duties of the role include but are not limited to:

• To support the delivery of The Heritage Council’s Communications Strategy and public/citizen engagement strategies.

• To support the delivery of National Heritage Week in collaboration with the National Heritage Week Programme Manager.

• To work with the Head of Communications and Public Affairs to ensure all heritage information produced by Heritage Council (e.g. guidance documents, grant application forms, circulars, leaflets, website content) is easily understood and accessible to the public.

• To manage social media, website development, and contribute to The Heritage Council’s existing and emerging work in cultural, natural and built heritage.

• To support the coordination of Heritage Council events and to support a professional approach in event planning, management and delivery.

• To coordinate the development and management of the annual Heritage Council communications diary to outline all planned events, press launches, press releases and other activities that may arise.

• To manage The Heritage Council’s website in collaboration with the Head of Communications and Public Affairs and contractor.

• To develop and distribute digital communications (i.e. e-zine, Mailchimp notifications etc.) for communication with national and sectoral stakeholders.

• To manage The Heritage Council’s social media channels.

• To administer and manage all information, file management and data management as it relates to all communications functions.

• To provide administrative support for budgetary and financial management for the Communications function.

• Support the delivery of other Heritage Council programmes, schemes and other tasks that may be assigned from time to time.

• To assist with the maintenance of the publications database.

And other duties as may be assigned by the line manager or CEO. The responsibilities outlined in this job description should not be regarded as comprehensive in scope and may be added to or altered as required, in line with the requirements of The Heritage Council.

Education, Training, Experience, etc.

Essential Criteria

Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms have:

• At least 5 years relevant experience.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with experience of delivering projects through social media.

• Demonstrable experience of engagement with external groups and stakeholders to support communication project delivery.

• Budget management and financial literacy.

• Knowledge of office software, internet, and IT systems.

• Full unendorsed category B driving licence and full-time access to a car, or for candidates who are unable to drive, full time access to transport.

Desirable Criteria

• A level 7 qualification or above in a relevant discipline.

• Good understanding of information management policies and requirements, including sound knowledge of formal e-record-keeping protocols and procedures.

• Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team and on own initiative.

• Excellent time management skills and ability to work to deadlines.

• The ability to communicate through the Irish language, both verbal and written.

Reporting

The successful candidate will report to the Head of Communications and Public Affairs or any other person as may be determined from time to time by the CEO.

Competencies for the Role

• People Management

• Analysis and Decision Making

• Delivery of Results

• Interpersonal and Communication Skills

• Specialist Knowledge, Expertise and Self Development

The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate that they possess the requisite competencies required for this middle management position. The required competencies for an Executive Officer are set out in Appendix 1.

Citizenship Requirements

Eligible candidates must be, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms:

(a) A citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA). The EEA consists of the Member States of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway; or

(b) A citizen of the United Kingdom (UK); or

(c) A citizen of Switzerland pursuant to the agreement between the EU and Switzerland on the free movement of persons; or

(d) A non-EEA citizen who is a spouse or child of an EEA or UK or Swiss citizen and has a stamp 4 visa; or

(e) A person awarded international protection under the International Protection Act 2015 or any family member entitled to remain in the State as a result of family reunification and has a stamp 4 visa; or

(f) A non-EEA citizen who is a parent of a dependent child who is a citizen of, and resident in, an EEA member state or the UK or Switzerland and has a stamp 4 visa.

To qualify candidates must be eligible by the date of any job offer.

Conditions of Service

Tenure

The post is a whole-time, pensionable, 2-year fixed-term contract to cover a secondment. Secondment will be considered from serving public servants.

Salary

The position is analogous to the Civil Service Grade of Executive Officer. The (PPC) salary scale, including the required pension contribution, is set out below.

Point 1 €37,919

Point 2 €39,860

Point 3 €40,956

Point 4 €43,094

Point 5 €45,010

Point 6 €46,864

Point 7 €48,711

Point 8 €50,519

Point 9 €52,366

Point 10 €54,207

Point 11 €56,160

Point 12 €57,469

*Long Service Increment 1 €59,335

**Long Service Increment 2 €61,216

*After three years’ service at Point 7.

**After three years’ service at Long Service Increment 1.

(Pay scale as of 1st August 2025)

Candidates should note that entry will be at the minimum of the salary scale and the rate of remuneration, including incremental progression, will not be subject to negotiation and may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy. Different terms and conditions may apply if you are currently a serving civil or public servant. The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time. Holders of the post shall pay to The Heritage Council any fees or other monies (other than their inclusive salary) payable to or received by them by virtue of their employment or in respect of services which they are required by or under any enactment to perform. An allowance may also be payable in respect of travel expenses and subsistence.

It is the individual responsibility of former public or civil servant candidates to ensure their eligibility to apply. In particular, potential candidates who participated in a voluntary severance/redundancy or early retirement programs, received a redundancy payment or are in receipt of a public sector pension, should familiarize themselves with their individual conditions pertaining to public sector re-employment and declare same if applying.

Annual Leave

The annual leave entitlement for this role (based on a full-time role) is 23 days per year, rising to 24 days after 5 years’ service, 25 days after 10 years’ service, 26 days after 12 years' service and 27 days after 14 years' service.

Place of Work

The place of work will be The Heritage Council headquarters, Áras na hOidhreachta, Church Lane, Kilkenny. However, the successful candidate may initially be requested to work remotely in line with Public Health restrictions.

Please note: Subject to request and approval, successful candidates may be eligible for remote or blended working arrangements. Any such arrangements will be considered on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the business needs of the organisation and in line with The Heritage Council’s Blended Working Policy. The Heritage Council reserves the right, at its discretion, to review and revise working arrangements at any time.

Hours of Attendance

Hours of attendance will be fixed from time to time but will amount to not less than 43 hours 30 minutes gross per week. The standard working week is 37.5 hours, 09.00 – 17.30 Monday to Friday.

The successful candidate will be required to work additional hours from time to time as may be reasonable and necessary for the proper performance of his/her duties subject to the limits set down in the working time regulations.